BIRAC
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
Government of India's biotech startup funder offering grants, equity & incubation from ideation to market.
BIRAC at a glance
| Full name | Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council |
|---|---|
| Part of | Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India |
| Established | 2012 |
| Address | New Delhi, Delhi, India |
| Programmes | 13 standing programmes · 1 open call right now |
| Official website | www.birac.nic.in |
Programs by BIRAC
1 open now · 6 past · Filter all programs
Programs BIRAC supports
Programs this organisation funds, run by others. · 1 open now · 0 past
Schemes implemented by BIRAC
1 scheme — each groups the funding calls run under it.
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at BIRAC, separate from the funding calls above.
BioNEST
IncubationSupports the establishment and operation of bio-incubation and pre-incubation centers.
Official programme pageBIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant)
Grant schemeSupports ideation to early stage biotechnology innovations.
Official programme pageSupports student innovation for translation and advanced research exploration, from ideation to early stage.
Official programme pageEmpowers youth for undertaking value-added innovation, from ideation to early stage.
Official programme pageSupports biotechnology industry partnerships for ideation to late-stage translation research, including components like i4 and SBIRI.
Official programme pageSupports small business innovation research initiatives.
Official programme pagePromotes conversion of academic research to enterprise, focusing on translation research.
Official programme pageSPARSH (Social Innovation program for Products: Affordable & Relevant to Societal Health)
Grant schemeA social innovation program for products affordable and relevant to societal health.
Official programme pageProvides equity exposure of up to INR 30 lakhs as capital assistance to post PoC Biotech Startups, helping them achieve Angel investment readiness.
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SEED Fund is meant for post PoC Startups. It helps Biotech Startups to cover the first Valley of Death enabling Angel investment readiness. ... SEED Fund is the first equity exposure of up to INR 30 lakhs providing Capital assistance to post PoC Startups with new and meritorious ideas, innovations and technologies. SEED support is positioned to act as a bridge between promoter’s investment and Angel/Venture investment. The scheme is implemented through selected BioNEST Incubators who as BIRAC’s SEED Fund partners receive grant–in-aid support of INR 200 lakhs/ cycle for deployment in Biotech Startups.
Assists potential biotech startups in piloting and commercializing their products and technologies, enabling them to raise venture capital investment.
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LEAP Fund assists potential biotech startups in piloting & commercializing their products & technologies enabling them to raise venture capital investment. ... LEAP Fund support is positioned to act as a catalyst to raise follow on private funding enabling potential startups to pilot/commercialize their products and technologies. LEAP support is positioned for Statups to attract Angel/Venture investments. The scheme is implemented through selected BioNEST Incubators who as BIRAC’s LEAP Fund partners receive grant–in-aid support of INR 500 lakhs/ cycle for deployment in Biotech Startups.
Fosters R&D and innovation in Biotechnology by encouraging VC investment for biotech Startups & SMEs through its AIFs daughter funds.
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Fund of Funds - AcE” fosters R&D and innovation in Biotechnology domains by plugging the funding gap encountered by the biotech startups during their ‘product development cycle’ and ‘growth phase’. AcE Fund invests and partners with SEBI- registered Category I and II AIFs, which are professionally managed and keen to invest in biotech sector. The Daughter Funds commit to invest in the Biotech startups & SMEs 2x of BIRAC’s committed investment in the Funds. Biotech sub–sectors include Healthcare, Life Sciences, Pharma, Biopharma, Med-tech, Diagnostics, Industrial-Biotech, Agri-tech, Bio-IT/Services and allied areas.
BioAngels Program
PlatformA public-private partnership with Indian Angel Network (IAN) to create a platform for seed and early-stage investing in biotech startups.
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BioAngels platform - A unique example of public private partnership association of BIRAC and Indian Angel Network (IAN). This is expected to be India’s single largest horizontal platform for seed and early-stage investing. This platform will lead to the creation of a consortium of Angels, HNIs, early-stage VCs. Focus: Support Biotech startups including Medtech, Healthtech, Pharma, Agritech & Cleantech startups — to raise angel round and engage with Investors who also bring deep domain expertise.
An e-portal providing access to BioNEST instrumentation and other common access facilities.
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BioNEST Instrumentation & User Charges Details NBM - Common Access Facilities Clinical Trial Network
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
Recognitions & empanelments
Official approvals this incubator holds.
News
- Centre announces first national call for Rs 2,000 crore BIRAC–RDI Fund to boost biotech sectorddnews.gov.in · last week
Source: Google News aggregated
About BIRAC
BIRAC — Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit, Section 8, Schedule B Public Sector Enterprise established in 2012 by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. BIRAC operates as an industry-academia interface agency to strengthen and empower emerging biotech enterprises to undertake strategic research and innovation addressing nationally relevant product development needs.
Programs
BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant): BIRAC's flagship scheme provides up to ₹50 lakh as grant-in-aid over 18 months for early-stage startups to achieve Proof of Concept. Calls are issued twice yearly (1 January and 1 July), open for ~45 days, and managed through 8 BIG Partner institutions nationwide.
BioNEST: A network of 94 bio-incubation and pre-incubation centres providing over 10,34,470 sq. ft. of incubation space across India.
SITARE & E-YUVA: Programs targeting student and young innovator-led biotech ideas.
SBIRI & BIPP: Grants and loans for late-stage product development and industry partnerships.
PACE: Translation research funding bridging lab-to-clinic gaps.
Equity Programs: SEED Fund, LEAP Fund, BioAngels Program, and AcE Fund of Funds (₹174.5 crore corpus deployed across 16 daughter funds, with ₹349 crore+ committed to 102+ biotech startups).
Track Record
BIRAC has deployed ₹4,200 crore in direct funding and catalysed ₹7,000 crore in total investment. BIG grants have funded Proof-of-Concept for hundreds of biotech innovations. Equity schemes have supported 159 startups with total funding generating ₹737 crore in follow-on from 98 startups, with combined portfolio valuation exceeding ₹75,000 crore. Overall, BIRAC has supported 5,000+ startups, generated 1,350+ IPs, supported 900+ products, and created 35,000+ jobs.
Who Should Apply
BIRAC is the go-to funder for any Indian biotech, biopharma, medtech, or agri-biotech startup — from students with an early concept (SITARE/BIG) to growth-stage companies seeking equity (LEAP Fund). Applications for BIG must be submitted through BIRAC-empanelled BIG Partner institutions. Startups must be incorporated as private limited companies, LLPs, or Section 8 entities in India.
Who they work with
Stage
Sectors
Technology
Tags
Notable alumni
Frequently asked questions about BIRAC
What is the full form of BIRAC?
BIRAC stands for Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.
What does BIRAC do?
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit, Section 8, Schedule B Public Sector Enterprise established in 2012 by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Where is BIRAC located?
BIRAC is based in New Delhi, Delhi, India.
What programs does BIRAC run?
BIRAC currently has 1 open programme: BIRAC Product Commercialization Program (PCP) Fund. 6 further programmes have run in the past.
What sectors does BIRAC support?
BIRAC works with startups in Biotech, Biopharma, HealthTech, Medical Devices, Diagnostics and Vaccines and other sectors.
What stage of startup does BIRAC support?
BIRAC supports startups at the Ideation, Validation, Early Revenue and Growth stages.
Is BIRAC government recognised?
BIRAC holds the following recognitions and affiliations: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
How do I apply to BIRAC?
Applications run through each programme's own call. BIRAC lists 1 open programme — check the programme page for its deadline and eligibility, or apply via https://www.birac.nic.in/.
When was BIRAC founded?
BIRAC was founded in 2012. It operates as a government.
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