BIRAC
BIRAC (DBT) funds early-stage biotech and life-sciences innovators with non-dilutive and seed support to move ideas from ideation to proof-of-concept and commercialisation.
At a glance
Key signals founders use to decide if this investor is worth a conversation.
Where they invest
Stages and sectors this investor typically backs.
Investment thesis
Themes this investor is mapped to across the VC Dekho directory.
Portfolio companies
1 company
Startups this investor has backed — round, amount, date, and source when we can verify them publicly.
About BIRAC
Background and context for founders evaluating this investor.
BIRAC is the Department of Biotechnology’s public-sector arm that runs India’s flagship biotech startup funding programmes. Its Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) provides grant-in-aid of up to ₹50 lakh for early-stage biotech startups from ideation to proof-of-concept, typically over about 18 months with milestone-based releases. Founders should treat BIRAC as a sector-specific government grant channel—strongest fit for health, biotech, and deep life-science IP—rather than a generalist VC. Apply via BIRAC’s national calls (often twice yearly) through BIG Partners listed in each call. Validate current guidelines on birac.nic.in before pitching.
Its Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) provides grant-in-aid of up to ₹50 lakh for early-stage biotech startups from ideation to proof-of-concept, typically over about 18 months with milestone-based releases.
Notes
Ticket researched: BIG grant-in-aid up to ₹50 Lakh over ~18 months (BIRAC BIG Scheme Guidelines v9, Oct 2025).
Data confidence: Verified – primary source
Similar funds
Other funds that overlap on stage, sector, or thesis.
Explore related
Jump into stage, sector, and thesis guides connected to this fund.
