StartupGrants India
BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)
Incubator

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

BioNEST BHU is the bio-incubator at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, for life-science and biotech start-ups.

3Programs
Official website

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) at a glance

Address4th Floor, CDC Building, Opposite Central Office, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
Programmes1 standing programme · 1 open call right now
Official websitebionestbhu.org
Emailbionestbhu@bhu.ac.in

Programs by BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

1 open now · 2 past · Filter all programs

Open now

BioNEST-BHU Startup–Industry Partnership Programme

by BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)
Past programs

MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0

under MSME Idea Hackathon
by BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

What's next?

This closed a while ago and we don't know if it will run again. Tap Notify me and we'll email you if it does.

MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0

under MSME Idea Hackathon
by BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

What's next?

This closed a while ago and we don't know if it will run again. Tap Notify me and we'll email you if it does.

Build a pitch deck for this grant

A first draft in this program's slide format, from your profile.

Create deck

Programmes they run

Standing programmes at BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University), separate from the funding calls above.

BioNEST BHU Bio-Incubation Programme

Incubation

Bio-incubator for life-science and biotech start-ups, with office and lab space, faculty links and mentoring.

Best for: Biotech, life-science and agri-science start-ups registered in India, and innovators with a biotech idea.

  • Not stated on the pages read
  • Paid

With BHU Institute of Science, BHU Institute of Agricultural Science, BHU Institute of Medical Sciences

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

BioNEST BHU offers a "plug and play" bio-incubator with multifunctional office space and a well-equipped laboratory for research-heavy life-science companies. It is run by InnoResTech Foundation, BHU.

What you get

  • Office space and lab benches, allocated by availability.
  • Mentoring and logistical support.
  • Access to high-end equipment under the SATHI scheme in the same building.
  • Links to BHU faculty in the Institute of Science, the Institute of Agricultural Science and the Institute of Medical Sciences.
  • Partner support on accounting, legal, company secretarial work, intellectual property and mentorship.

Who can apply

  • Anyone with a basic background in life sciences.
  • Biotech start-ups registered in India.

How selection works: applications are judged on technical merit, business model, team size and strength, initial fund, and feasibility to bring the product to market.

How to apply: apply online, present to the screening committee, then sign the incubation agreement with BioNEST BHU. Write to bionestbhu@bhu.ac.in for intake dates.

Full BioNEST BHU Bio-Incubation Programme guide

Support services

Help offered alongside funding and space.

IP & patents

Intellectual property support through partners

Recognitions & empanelments

Official approvals this incubator holds.

Host Institute, MSME Innovative Scheme (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises)

Listed at entry 146 of the Ministry's published List of Host Institutes for the incubation component of the MSME Innovative Scheme, as "Banaras Hindu University" (VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH), checked 24 September 2026. This is the status that lets an innovator name the institute as their Host Institute when applying on the ministry's own portal. The list gives no approval date, no period and no status column, so whether the recognition is current cannot be told from it; and being listed is a capacity registration, not evidence that the institute has ever hosted an approved idea.

How to apply to BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

Before you apply

  • Check that your idea or product is biotech-related, or that you are a biotech start-up registered in India.
  • Have a source of funding lined up. The incubator asks you to pay rent from the start.
  • Read the five selection criteria the incubator uses: technical merit, business model, team size and strength, initial fund, and feasibility to bring to market.

How applications work

  • Apply online through the Apply Online button on the programme page.
  • Expect a presentation to the screening committee.
  • If selected, sign the incubation agreement with BioNEST BHU.

Questions

  • Write to bionestbhu@bhu.ac.in for details on space, rent and intake dates. The pages read do not give an intake date.

About BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

BioNEST BHU is the bio-incubator at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. It supports start-ups in biotechnology, health science, agricultural science and life science, and it is run by InnoResTech Foundation, BHU. The incubator sits on the fourth floor of the Central Discovery Centre (CDC) building, opposite the University's Central Office.

How the incubator works

Start-ups get office space and lab benches, with a plug-and-play set-up for research-heavy companies. Office cubicles and lab benches are allocated depending on availability and need, and a start-up can take desk space alone if that is all it needs. Start-ups can also use high-end equipment under the SATHI scheme in the same building.

The incubator connects start-ups with BHU faculty in the Institute of Science, the Institute of Agricultural Science and the Institute of Medical Sciences, and gives them access to central instrumentation. Its stated aim is mentoring bio-entrepreneurs with translational ideas.

Who can apply

Anyone with a basic background in life sciences can apply, and so can a biotech start-up registered in India. Applicants should have a biotech-related idea or product, or want to test a new process for an existing product.

Facilities and support

The lab is equipped with basic biotech instruments, and the site lists access to other instrumentation facilities at the CDC building. Partners provide support on accounting, legal, company secretarial work, intellectual property and mentorship.

Cost and confidentiality

Incubatees pay rent for the space, so the incubator is not free. The pages read do not say whether it takes equity. Founders are expected to have some source of funding before they start incubating. Concepts are kept confidential, and every incubatee signs a non-disclosure agreement.

Who runs it

The incubator is run by InnoResTech Foundation, BHU. Its contact inbox is bionestbhu@bhu.ac.in.

Get in touch

Send a message to BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) — we'll forward it on your behalf.

4th Floor, CDC Building, Opposite Central Office, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

0/2000

Your message will be forwarded to BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

Who they work with

Stage

Sectors

Frequently asked questions about BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)

What is BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)?

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) is an incubator based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

What does BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) do?

BioNEST BHU is the bio-incubator at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. It supports start-ups in biotechnology, health science, agricultural science and life science, and it is run by InnoResTech Foundation, BHU.

Where is BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) located?

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) is located at 4th Floor, CDC Building, Opposite Central Office, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.

What programs does BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) run?

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) currently has 1 open programme: BioNEST-BHU Startup–Industry Partnership Programme. 2 further programmes have run in the past.

Is BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) open to applications?

Yes. BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) has 1 open programme right now, including BioNEST-BHU Startup–Industry Partnership Programme. Check each programme's page for its deadline and eligibility.

What sectors does BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) support?

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) works with startups in Deep Tech, HardTech, Social Impact and Others.

What stage of startup does BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) support?

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) supports startups at the Ideation and Validation stages.

Is BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) government recognised?

BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University) holds the following recognitions and affiliations: Host Institute, MSME Innovative Scheme (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises).

How do I apply to BioNEST BHU (Banaras Hindu University)?

- Check that your idea or product is biotech-related, or that you are a biotech start-up registered in India. - Have a source of funding lined up. The incubator asks you to pay rent from the start. - Read the five selection criteria the incubator uses: technical merit, business model, team size and strength, initial fund, and feasibility to bring to market.