IIT Guwahati BioNEST marks 4 years with bold vision to make Northeast a DeepTech and biomanufacturing powerhouse
IIT Guwahati’s BioNEST, the biotechnology business incubator supported by BIRAC, Government of India, celebrated its 4th Foundation Day on Wednesday with a dynamic showcase of DeepTech innovations and a sweeping vision to transform healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability across Northeast India.
The event drew a powerful lineup of government officials, investors, startup founders, and innovation leaders, marking a key milestone in BioNEST’s journey as a catalyst for regional development.
Over 40 DeepTech startups, primarily funded under the NEC-Ignite Program, presented groundbreaking solutions in biotechnology, health tech, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy. These innovations target critical challenges facing rural and remote communities in the Northeast.
Dr. Siddharth Singh, Commissioner & Secretary of the Department of Medical Education & Research, served as chief guest. He praised BioNEST’s growing influence and highlighted its collaboration with the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation (AAHI) Institute.
“IIT Guwahati BioNEST is becoming a beacon of biotech innovation in the Northeast,” Dr. Singh said. “Its synergy with AAHI will drive accessibility and medical tech adoption in underserved areas.”
Bamin Tarang, Director, HRD&E at the North Eastern Council (NEC), reaffirmed NEC’s support in nurturing innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
“The resilience and creativity of Northeast youth is clearly visible in these startups. NEC’s collaboration with BioNEST is helping bridge healthcare and Agritech gaps in rural India,” Tarang said.
Dr. Chhaya Chauhan, representing BIRAC, commended BioNEST’s DeepTech focus and inclusive mission, while Loken Das, CGM of NABARD, emphasized BioNEST’s role in integrating biotech with grassroots livelihoods.
“This platform is unlocking entrepreneurial potential while delivering tangible impact for rural communities,” Das noted.
Dr. Swapnil Sinha, CEO of IITG BioNEST, outlined the incubator’s transformative journey.
“In four years, we’ve supported over 70 tech companies. Our focus remains on building sustainable, market-ready innovations in healthcare, agriculture, and energy,” she said.
Sinha also laid out an ambitious roadmap to establish Northeast India as a biomanufacturing hub, combining local resources with cutting-edge biotech capabilities to serve both domestic and international markets.
Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Principal Investigator of BioNEST, added that companies like Symbica, Medinnovations, Avinya Infinity, and Human Biogenesis are poised to bring breakthrough technologies to market.
The event concluded with a renewed pledge from IIT Guwahati BioNEST to deepen its support for technology-driven, region-specific solutions aligned with national missions like Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
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