Biotechnology Young Entrepreneur Award

Description
The “Biotechnology Young Entrepreneur Award BYE ” is a programme to promote commercialisation of bioscience ideas among graduate/postgraduate students in Biotechnology and to encourage them to develop biotechnology entrepreneurship. This is an annual competition organized along with a workshop. The participants will then develop a Business Plan which will be judged by a panel of experts.

Exclusions
• <br>

Benefits
• The winning teams will be given cash awards by the Kerala Biotechnology Commission.
• Cash award for winners - first prize ₹1,00,000/-, second prize ₹50,000/- and third prize ₹25,000/-.
• The awardees will be encouraged to establish start-ups through facilitation and support after evaluation and recommendation by an Expert Committee.

Eligibility Criteria
1. Students who are pursuing post-graduate programmes (including integrated PG degree programmes), doctoral degrees, B.E. or B.Tech. in Biotechnology or in the area of life sciences related to biotechnology (bioinformatics/Molecular biology/microbiology/biochemistry/Genetics and/or related subjects) from universities/Institutes in the State of Kerala are eligible to apply.

Required Documents
• Identity proof of applicant
• Endorsement certificate
• Educational certificates
• Proposed Business Plan
• Summary of proposed research work
• Consent letter
• Certificate from head of the institution
• Any other document, if required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Biotechnology Young Entrepreneur (BYE) Award” programme?
A: The "Biotechnology Young Entrepreneur (BYE) Award" programme is aimed to raise awareness of commercialization of bioscience ideas among post graduate students in Biotechnology and to encourage them to develop biotechnology entrepreneurship. This is an annual competition organized along with a workshop. The participants will then develop a Business Plan which will be judged by a panel of experts.

Q: Which is the implementing agency of this programme?
A: Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC) under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE)

Q: Who is eligible to get the benefits under the programme?
A: The students who are pursuing post-graduate programmes (including integrated PG degree programmes), doctoral degree, B.E. or B.Tech. in Biotechnology or in the area of life sciences related to biotechnology (bioinformatics/Molecular biology/microbiology/biochemistry/Genetics and/or related subjects) from universities/Institutes in the State of Kerala are eligible to apply.

Q: What is the prize money given to the winning team?
A: The winning teams will be given cash awards by Kerala Biotechnology Commission. The first prize will be [?]1,00,000/-, 2nd prize will be [?]50,000/- and third prize will be [?]25,000/-.

Q: What should be the aim of the proposal?
A: The proposals should aim at possible commercialisation of a product / patent.

Q: In which areas of biotechnology proposal can be submitted?
A: The Proposals need to be submitted in the core areas of biotechnology which include: Agriculture, Aquaculture, Bio-energy, Biologicals and Applications, Bioprocess Engineering, Biosensors, Drug discovery & Development, Environment, Food, Medical Diagnostics/Devices, Nanobiology/Nanobiotechnology, Nutraceuticals, Vaccines and other related areas. The proposals could be either for a product, service or an application.

Q: How many students should there be in a team?
A: The applicants should form a team of five students. At least three members in the team of five should be with Life Science background and other members can be from disciplines other than life sciences/Biotechnology.

Q: Can an individual team member only be from the same Institute/University?
A: No, the individual team member may or may not be from the same Institute / University.

Q: How many times are the applications invited in a year?
A: The applications are invited twice every year during January and June.

Q: How can an applicant apply for the programme?
A: The applications are to be submitted online when notified.

Q: Where can an applicant contact regarding this programme?
A: The applicant may contact at following address: The Advisor Kerala Bio-Technology Commission Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 004 Telephone: (0471) 2548406, 2548259 E-mail: [email protected]