Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday inaugurated the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council-BioNEST Incubation Centre at the Central Food Technology & Research Institute in Mysuru, marking a significant step toward strengthening India’s food startup ecosystem.
The newly launched facility features advanced incubation suites and shared infrastructure designed to support startups in areas such as research, scale-up validation and regulatory processes in food bioprocessing and biotechnology.
As of March 2026, the BioNEST centre has supported 26 startups, including both active and graduated ventures. Several of these have already reached commercialisation. Collectively, they have filed 12 patents and contributed to multiple research publications, underscoring a strong emphasis on innovation with real-world applications.
These startups are working across emerging segments such as nutraceuticals, precision fermentation, probiotics, CRISPR-based technologies and botanicals—highlighting a shift toward high-value, science-led solutions in the food and biotech sectors.
During his interaction with entrepreneurs and stakeholders, Singh noted that while starting a business has become easier, long-term sustainability depends on continuous innovation, market access and strong industry linkages. He emphasised the importance of collaboration between research institutions and private enterprises, particularly to meet growing demand in segments like ready-to-eat and convenience foods.
The event also saw the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding and the launch of two products developed at CFTRI, reflecting stronger industry engagement and progress in commercialising in-house technologies. Officials highlighted that such public-private partnerships are vital for scaling innovation and strengthening connections with micro, small and medium enterprises.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, CFTRI released a series of publications showcasing its research journey, including a coffee table book, an R&D compendium, a photo archive and a collection of traditional recipes. A commemorative postal cover and picture postcard were also unveiled.
An exhibition at the event featured startup-led technologies and processed food products developed by CFTRI and its licensees, demonstrating a strong lab-to-market pipeline. With over 450 technologies transferred to thousands of licensees, CFTRI has established itself as a major hub for food research and innovation in India.
Officials added that the BioNEST ecosystem is drawing both national and international attention, with startups achieving key commercial milestones and exploring applications in strategic sectors, including defence.