Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), which organised the fourth edition of Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Students Team (BEST) for young science graduates has awarded Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bengaluru, as the first winner for the excellent presentation on entrepreneurship. The University of Rajasthan and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Delhi were adjudged second and third respectively.

The four-day residential workshop BEST which was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), was held between August 10 and 13, 2012 in Bengaluru.

There were 160 business proposals came from leading universities across the country out of which 20 proposals were shortlisted.

The work shop was coordinated by Dr Shailendra Vyakarnam, director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

The CEOs of several biotech companies lead by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon also  participated and advised the Entrepreneurship Students Team.

On the final day, the teams presented their business proposals to a jury chaired by Dr Natesh, advisor, DBT and co-chaired by the president of ABLE Dr P M Murali. The first three winners were awarded prizes of Rs. 5 lakhs, Rs.3 lakhs, Rs.2 lakhs respectively.

The prize money will be handed over to the teams during BIO-Invest which is an ABLE flagship annual Investor meet that will be held in December. The three winning teams will be provided an opportunity to present their business plans to explore funding opportunities.