CGC’s Biotechnology department organises event on bioentrepreneurship
Department of Biotechnology, CCT, CGC Landran, organised BioStart2K24, a capacity-building programme on bioentrepreneurship and building bioentrepreneurial resilience. The program was organised in association with ACIC RISE Association, CGC Landran. It was aimed at creating awareness about the concept of bioentrepreneurship and the opportunities and support programs available to aspiring bio-entrepreneurs.
The event was graced by the presence of the chief guest, Dr. Ajit Dua, CEO, Punjab Biotechnology Incubator (PBTI) Mohali; guest of honour, Mr. Munish Kumar, Head-HR, Nectar Life Sciences Ltd.; Dr. Amit Kumar Rai, Scientist D, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali; Dr. Taraka Ramji, Plant Scientist, Co-founder and CEO, PeelOn, USA; Dr. Ankur Gautam, Lab Services Manager, Merk Innovation Lab, CSIR-IMTECh Mohali, among others. They were joined by Dr. P.N. Hrisheekesha, Campus Director, CGC Landran, and Deans and Directors of the institution.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ajit Dua, elucidated the key components of building and developing a startup ranging from business plan, market research and product development. She also highlighted and spoke in detail about the support available to budding bioentrepreneurs from various central and state government bodies. Urging all the students to innovate, ideate, she encouraged them to execute their ideas into setting up startups and contribute to the Make in India initiative.
Among the keynote speakers at the event, Dr. Amit Rai spoke about the promising prospects and market for fermented functional foods while Dr. Taraka Ramji threw light on the concept of Bioentrepreneurship and the contribution that young innovators can make. A panel discussion followed where distinguished panellists and successful entrepreneurs, including Dr. Sudhir K. Sharma, CEO, Biosparin, Dr. Gowri, Founder Gowriz Skincare Pvt. Ltd., Dr Vipasha Sharma, CEO, MKelly, Mohali, Dr. Satyam K Agrawal, Director Cell Invitro Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., and Ms Aishwarya, Co-founder Malkauns, Mohali, shared their insights, experiences and best practices, in their journey towards building and scaling successful startups in the biotechnology realm.
The event concluded with a question-answer session and the felicitation ceremony honouring all the invited guests. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Palki Sahib Kaur, HoD, Biotechnology, CCT, CGC Landran.