Bio Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at TNAU’, a two day interfacing event of the Agri Biotech Stakeholders
The Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Directorate of Agri Business Development of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University organized a two day interfacing event of Agri Business Stakeholders called, “Bio Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at TNAU” during 7th and 8th of November 2022. The first day of the event was for the entrepreneurs or companies in Agri Biotech domain. The second day of the event largely focused on the aspiring young entrepreneurs and student innovators. Around 75 participants from TNAU and various other institutions participated in the Young Entrepreneurs meet
Dr. E. Kokiladevi, Professor and Head, Department of Plant Biotechnology delivered the welcome address. Dr. E. Somasundaram, Director, DABD, TNAU delivered the presidential address on agribusiness incubation, technology commercialization, market and financial linkages, capacity building programs and other business outreach activities. Dr. N. Senthil, Director, CPMB&B emphasized the need for the connect between TNAU and young entrepreneurs and students towards a successful entrepreneurial journey. Dr. L. Arul, E-YUVA chief coordinator proposed a formal vote of thanks.
Mr. S. Dinesh Kumar, Associate Vice President, StartupTN – Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission, Chennai, spoke on the “Nuances of Startups”. He highlighted that startups should apply the concept of design thinking to empathize with the end users in order to build really useful products. Mr. Muruganantham Senthilrajan, President & Patent Attorney, Metayage IP Strategy Consulting LLP, Coimbatore, explained the importance of IPR startups and gave an overview of the patenting process. Mr. S. Vasanthan, CEO, EDII – TN – Periyakulam Horti Business Incubation Forum, HC&RI, Periyakulam delivered on “Entrepreneurship as an alternate career path for life science graduates”. Mr. K. Tharaneetharan, alumnus of TNAU and the proprietor of M/s Dharani Agro Technologies, Tiruppur narrated his entrepreneurial journey. Dr. D. Sambashiva, Treasurer and Executive Council Member, Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), Hyderabad, explained the role of FABA in hand holding startups and young entrepreneurs.
The final session of the event was a panel discussion which was moderated by Dr. S.D. Sivakumar, Technical and Personal Officer O/o Vice-Chancellor TNAU & Former Director (Directorate of Agri Business Development), TNAU. The panelist were Dr. M. Raveendran, Director of Research, TNAU, Dr. E. Somasundaram, Director, DABD, TNAU, Dr. S. Senthil Vinayagam, CEO, a-IDEA, NAARM, Hyderabad, Mr. Sriram Sankaran, Board member, Native Angels Network Association and Mr. S. Dinesh Kumar, Associate Vice President, Startup TN, Chennai. The panel deliberated on the type of innovations needed to create a sustainable future, government policies that are in place to support the innovators, and the investors
