Bio-NEST Bioincubator Center

BioNEST Bioincubator Center

BioNEST Bioincubator Center at NEHU, Tura Campus was established in the year of 2021 as a holistic bio-incubation facility with an aim to nurture startups and entrepreneurs in developing innovative solutions, commercialization and scaling up of technologies in the area of Agri-Food Biotechnology and Dairy Technology utilizing natural indigenous resources of North-Eastern region. The primary focus would be promoting Ventures and Businesses in the North-East region through hand-holding programs.

Activities & Strategy

Presently the newly established BioNEST Bioincubator Center at NEHU Tura Campus is envisioned to pave its path with three-fold strategies.

A.     To identify student (UG, PG, PhD) innovators, promote and support them to evolve self-sustaining business models.

In India, innovation is still not the epicentre of education. Our educational system often gives birth to job seekers rather than job producers. In order to bring the shift in culture and outlook, we are recognising “Entrepreneurial Ambassadors” among Faculty Members from each of the departments of our university and from neighbouring institutes. Certain specialised training programs will be organised for the “Entrepreneurial Ambassadors” and they will eventually work to cultivate the innovation ecosystem within the university and neighbouring academia to harness the entrepreneurial potential of the young minds.

B.      To identify potential SMEs working in the field of Agro-Food Biotechnology and Dairy Technology in the state of Meghalaya and around

In association with the Government of Meghalaya, the existing SMEs are being identified mainly through the Promotion and Incubation of Market Driven Enterprises (PRIME) portal. Most of the SMEs are engaged in packaging and supplying of indigenous resources such as Lakadong Turmeric, black pepper, cashew, jackfruit, pineapple, orchid, herbs etc to neighbouring states and abroad in its raw form. We are looking forward to forming collaborations with the SMEs in converting the indigenous resources into value added, processed foods with higher shelf life and nutritional values.

C.      Popularisation and awareness about the BIRAC schemes among the neighbouring academia and SMEs.

Unfortunately, there is very little awareness about the ongoing handholding programs of BIRAC in the vicinity. So, we would like to take the responsibility of the torch bearer to spread awareness and inspire potential societies and people to participate in these programs. On September 08, 2021, we organised a grant writing webinar in view of the BIG and SIIP schemes. We will keep organising such programs in Ideation, Innovation, Translation, Strategic Funding, Commercialization, Technology Transfer round the clock.