BITS BioCyTiH Foundation
BITS Pilani
DST NM-ICPS-funded Technology Innovation Hub at BITS Pilani for Bio-Cyber Physical Systems (Bio-CPS) — healthcare, agriculture, water and environment — spanning the Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campuses.
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation at a glance
| Part of | BITS Pilani |
|---|---|
| Established | 2021 |
| Address | Pilani, Rajasthan, India |
| Programmes | 2 standing programmes |
| Official website | www.biocytih.co.in |
| sso@biocytih.co.in |
Programs by BITS BioCyTiH Foundation
1 past program · Filter all programs
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at BITS BioCyTiH Foundation, separate from the funding calls above.
Offers support to startups and MSME with products that are ready for market launch or have recently entered the market phase, addressing short-term cash flow requirements.
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The main objective is to address the short-term cash flow requirements of these startups as they focus on Bio-Cyber Physical Systems (Bio-CPS) and tackle crucial technical and financial challenges in the healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sectors. Supported areas include Medtech and wearable Devices, CPS related security solutions, Sensor platforms, Robotics and automated systems, AI/ Quantum technologies in Healthcare etc., Technologies for sustainability, Precision agriculture.
Advanced Research Translation (ART) Program
Grant schemeOffers crucial support for translational research up to INR 75,00,000 over 15 months, aiming to expedite the transformation of academic research into viable commercial products and technologies.
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Applicants must hold a regular position within an academic institute or a government research establishment. The technology/product should be at a mature stage, poised for commercialization, with demonstrable technology and feasibility to meet market requirements. Funding support includes up to INR 75.00 Lakhs for 15 months, covering consumables (maximum 30% of project cost), outsourced services (maximum 30% of project cost), manpower (maximum 25% of project cost), equipment (maximum 5% of project cost), travel (maximum up to ₹50,000), and overhead (maximum 5% of project cost). Key outcome is a deployable technical solution with promise of impact. Ownership of the new intellectual property (IP) will be shared with BITS BioCyTiH foundation (BBF). The technology transfer will be facilitated by BBF, and a mutually agreed fee or royalty will be applicable. In the event of a startup emerging from this project, BBF should be offered equity, and the startups are encouraged to avail of incubation services offered by BBF.
Incubation tracks
The routes into BITS BioCyTiH Foundation, and what each one includes.
| Track | Type | Space | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty Startup IncubationNo incubation charges for the first 3 months; 50% subsidy on incubation charges from 4th to 12th month | Resident incubation | — | Access to BBF Facilities (Goa, Pilani, and Hyd campuses), Assistance in prototype refinement, validation regulatory, seed funding, networking, Support for company formation, Providing interns, Provision for pre-incubation support |
| BioCyTiH Advanced Startup Equity (BASE) Program | Acceleration | — | Support to startups and MSME with products ready for market launch or recently entered market phase, Addresses short-term cash flow requirements |
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
Incubation Lab (Goa)
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS)
Zeta-sizer
Real Time PCR
Micro Volume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
Freeze Dryer
3D Printer
Microwave Digestion System
Biological Safety Cabinet
Mixed Domain Oscilloscope
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
Recognitions & empanelments
Official approvals this incubator holds.
Technology Innovation Hub (TIH)
funded under NM-ICPS program of DST, Government of India
About BITS BioCyTiH Foundation
About BITS BioCyTiH Foundation
The BITS BioCyTiH Foundation (Bio-CPS Technology Innovation Hub) is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and hosted by BITS Pilani. The Foundation focuses on the intersection of biology and cyber-physical systems, supporting startups and researchers working in healthcare, agriculture, water management, and environmental sustainability.
BITS BioCyTiH is a Section 8 non-profit company with a presence across all three BITS Pilani campuses — Pilani (Rajasthan), Goa, and Hyderabad — creating a multi-campus innovation ecosystem.
Programs & Support
The Foundation runs two primary incubation tracks:
Physical Incubation: Based at the Pilani campus, this program provides on-campus lab access, mentorship, prototyping support, and co-working facilities for startups working on Bio-CPS technologies. Selected startups receive seed support of up to ₹5,00,000 and access to BITS Pilani's world-class R&D infrastructure.
Virtual Incubation Program (VIP): Designed for startups outside the campus catchment area, the VIP offers structured mentorship, investor connect, industry networking, and access to the Foundation's R&D ecosystem — fully online, enabling participation from across India.
Both programmes provide:
- Expert mentoring from BITS Pilani faculty and industry leaders
- Access to specialized biotech and engineering labs
- Connections to DST's broader NM-ICPS network and government schemes
- Investor introductions and fundraising support
- IP guidance and commercialisation pathways
Focus Areas
BITS BioCyTiH specifically targets innovations in:
- Bioinformatics and computational biology
- Health monitoring and biomedical engineering
- Precision agriculture and agri-biotech
- Water quality monitoring and management
- Environmental sensing and sustainability
Scale & Impact
Since its establishment in 2021, the Foundation has built a growing portfolio of deep-science startups working on validated problems at the biology-technology interface, leveraging BITS Pilani's strong alumni network and research reputation.
Who Should Apply
BITS BioCyTiH is ideal for early-stage to growth-stage startups and researchers with innovations rooted in Bio-CPS — particularly those at the intersection of life sciences, biomedical engineering, agritech, or environmental tech with digital and cyber-physical systems. Teams with a BITS Pilani connection may find the physical programme especially accessible, though the virtual track is open to all eligible Indian startups.
Get in touch
Send a message to BITS BioCyTiH Foundation — we'll forward it on your behalf.
Who they work with
Stage
Sectors
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Frequently asked questions about BITS BioCyTiH Foundation
What does BITS BioCyTiH Foundation do?
The BITS BioCyTiH Foundation (Bio-CPS Technology Innovation Hub) is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and hosted by BITS Pilani.
Where is BITS BioCyTiH Foundation located?
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation is based in Pilani, Rajasthan, India.
What programs does BITS BioCyTiH Foundation run?
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation runs BioCyTiH Advanced Startup Equity (BASE) Program and Advanced Research Translation (ART) Program.
What sectors does BITS BioCyTiH Foundation support?
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation works with startups in Biotech, Healthcare, Agritech, Cleantech and Deeptech.
What stage of startup does BITS BioCyTiH Foundation support?
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation supports startups at the Ideation, Validation and Early Revenue stages.
What facilities does BITS BioCyTiH Foundation offer?
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation offers Incubation Lab (Goa), Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), Zeta-sizer, Real Time PCR and Micro Volume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer.
Is BITS BioCyTiH Foundation government recognised?
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation holds the following recognitions and affiliations: Technology Innovation Hub (TIH).
When was BITS BioCyTiH Foundation founded?
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation was founded in 2021. It operates as an academic.
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