Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP)

C-CAMP is a Department of Biotechnology (DBT) initiative established in 2010 in Bangalore, operating as one of India's premier life sciences innovation hubs and biotech incubators. With over 350 startups supported across 34 states and union territories, C-CAMP has invested up to ₹80 crore in its portfolio and helped its startups raise over ₹2,000 crore in funding. Located adjacent to the NCBS-TIFR campus, it provides startups with access to world-class research infrastructure alongside business incubation support.

Role in the Startup Ecosystem

C-CAMP uniquely combines deep scientific infrastructure with startup incubation. Its location near the NCBS-TIFR campus and its K-TECH TBI facility at GKVK Campus give incubated startups access to advanced research equipment, biocontainment labs, and a community of leading life sciences researchers. This is critical for biotech startups that need lab access during their early R&D phase — a resource that general-purpose incubators cannot provide.

Programs and Initiatives

C-CAMP runs multiple programs including the C-CAMP Bio-incubator (lab and office space with shared equipment for biotech startups), the K-TECH TBI at the GKVK Campus on Bellary Road, technology platforms providing fee-for-service access to next-gen sequencers, mass spectrometers, and imaging systems, and innovation challenges in partnership with organizations like the Gates Foundation. The incubator supports startups working on diagnostics, medical devices, agricultural biotech, environmental solutions, and pharmaceutical innovation.

Notable Alumni

C-CAMP's portfolio includes significant life sciences ventures like Strand Life Sciences (genomics and precision medicine), Dozee (contactless health monitoring), Qure.ai (AI-powered radiology), Achira Labs (point-of-care diagnostics), and Terrablue XT (sustainable materials). The incubator has recorded 5 portfolio exits including 1 IPO and 4 acquisitions — notably Predible Health acquired by nference in May 2022.

Who Benefits

Life sciences founders working on biotech, medical devices, diagnostics, pharmaceutical innovation, agricultural biotech, and environmental solutions. Startups at ideation and validation stages benefit most given C-CAMP's strength in providing lab infrastructure and research mentorship during the proof-of-concept phase. The incubator has supported innovators from all 34 states and UTs, demonstrating its national reach despite being Bangalore-based.

Strategic Impact

C-CAMP has been instrumental in making Bangalore India's leading biotech startup hub. By solving the lab infrastructure problem — the single biggest bottleneck for early-stage biotech ventures — it has enabled a generation of life sciences founders to validate their science in India. Its ₹2,000 crore portfolio funding figure and 5 exits demonstrate that biotech incubation can produce commercially viable outcomes, not just research papers.