BIRAC-BioNEST incubation centre inaugurated at CFTRI Mysuru
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on 4 April 2026 inaugurated the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at CFTRI, Mysuru, which has supported 26 food startups.
Summary
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at CFTRI, Mysuru, on 4 April 2026, and reviewed an exhibition of startup technologies. The centre has dedicated incubation suites and shared infrastructure to support food startups with research, scale-up validation and regulatory facilitation in food bioprocessing and biotechnology. As of March 2026, the BioNEST facility had supported 26 startups, whose companies have filed 12 patents, working in areas such as nutraceuticals, precision fermentation, probiotics and postbiotics, CRISPR-based technologies and botanicals. The minister called for stronger links between research and industry.
Key facts
- Date
- 4 April 2026
- Facility
- BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre
- Institute
- CFTRI, Mysuru
- Startups supported
- 26 (as of March 2026)
- Patents
- 12 filed by incubatees
- Domains
- Nutraceuticals, precision fermentation, probiotics, CRISPR, botanicals
Practice MCQs 3 questions
At which institute did Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurate a BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre focused on food startups on 4 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — CFTRI, Mysuru
The Science and Technology Ministry said the centre was inaugurated at CFTRI, Mysuru.
How many startups had the BioNEST facility at CFTRI supported as of March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 26
The ministry said the facility had supported 26 startups as of March 2026; 12 is the number of patents filed.
How many patents have companies incubated at the CFTRI BioNEST facility collectively filed?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 12
The release says incubated companies have collectively filed 12 patents.