Key Takeaways
- The BioNEST Incubation Centre at CSIR-CFTRI hosted a national food hackathon, attracting over 300 applicants.
- Fifty teams participated in a rigorous selection process, culminating in a final pitch to industry experts.
- Fresh Vantage won first prize, while Protein Chunks took second; the initiative aimed to foster innovation in food and agriculture.
Event Overview
The BioNEST Incubation Centre at CSIR-CFTRI, in partnership with the Siddaganga Incubation Foundation, recently held a national-level food hackathon in Mysuru aimed at college students. This event drew significant interest, receiving over 300 applications nationwide, and served as an interactive platform for participants including students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and food enthusiasts.
Following a rigorous multi-stage screening, the top 50 teams were selected through expert evaluations and a pre-jury round. Participants engaged in an extensive workshop where they gained insights into technology, business fundamentals, marketing strategies, and securing grants. This program included tailored one-on-one mentoring sessions with industry professionals to help refine their innovative concepts.
During the pre-finale round coinciding with National Science Day, the shortlisted teams showcased their products to a panel of researchers and entrepreneurs. Notable figures, including CSIR-CFTRI director Sridevi Annapurna Singh and T. Ramasami, former Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, interacted with the participants, providing feedback on their prototypes.
Ultimately, five teams advanced to the grand finale, where they presented their final pitch decks to a distinguished panel of judges. The winners were announced with Fresh Vantage taking the first prize, while Protein Chunks secured second. Three additional teams—AgriSure, Pioneers, and Chemtrix—received runner-up recognition for their contributions to food technology innovation.
The hackathon successfully inspired participants to envision the future of food and agriculture, fostering collaborations aimed at sustainable and impactful solutions in the industry. Following the event, BioNEST at CSIR-CFTRI announced an invitation for food start-ups to apply for its incubation program, with a deadline set for March 15. Interested applicants can contact the centre for more details.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.