ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR IBAB STUDENTS

	“...when I joined IBAB, my interests were purely academic... hthe various entrepreneurial activities such as classes on IPR and visits to technology trade fairs generated the awareness that technology was an asset and the starting point of a journey… One shouldn't forget the fact that entrepreneurship is a way of life and to those suitably inclined even a tiny spark can fuel an inferno... In my case, IBAB does deserve 100% credit as without the spark I am not sure if I could have become an entrepreneur.” IBAB student-turned-entrepreneur, February 2006

Since 2003, IBAB has created an entrepreneurship-enriched environment for its students. It believes that this environment adds to what makes the IBAB education a life-transforming one for so many of its students.

Elements of this environment are as follows:

Course in entrepreneurship	The students take a 1-credit course on entrepreneurship during their second semester
Course in IPR	The students take a 1-credit course on intellectual property rights during their second semester.
BioZing	The students' entrepreneurship-club, Pracint, organizes an event at the annual BangaloreBio entitled BioZing.
Guest lecture series	Entrepreneurs from different industries talk to students during the first 2 semesters.
Mentoring	There is strong faculty mentoring of student entrepreneurs. Any student who has an interest in forming a company is free to meet faculty at any time. This mentorship continues after the student has graduated, and even after a company is registered.
Incubation	The institute hosts 2-3 companies at any given time on its premises. In addition, it 'virtually' hosts its student-alumni companies, currently 2 in number. Several students do their 2nd-semester projects with these incubatee companies.
Internships	Biotech is a relatively young industry in India. Automatically, therefore, the students' 6-month internships are often at very young companies.
Internal visibility	There is strong, visible support from the Director and faculty. Entrepreneurship is one of IBAB's main programmes and the students are aware of this.
Networking	Networking of IBAB students with students of other NEN institutions sparked increased student activity. In addition, faculty help network students to the right professionals as they pursue their dreams of starting or growing their companies.
Faculty turned entrepreneur	One of the faculty has turned entrepreneur. Dr. Shireen Vali has set up Cellworks Group, working in the area of Systems Biology. IBAB incubated Cellworks Group on its premises till it outgrew the facilities and graduated from the incubator.  Another company, Microtest Innovations is also being incubated on our premises. Simbiosys Biowares is a recent incubatee. Their site is at this URL and news coverage is available here.
Research in innovation and entrepreneurship	IBAB faculty are also involved in research that relates to innovation and entrepreneurship. To see a list of publications that have appeared to date click here.

The impact of these activities is already visible:

Greater awareness	Students are much more aware of entrepreneurship as a possible option for them in the future. We believe that this will translate into being part of starting teams, or founding their own companies in the years to come.
Work choice	Several students exercise job options that will give them useful experience for when they wish to start companies in the years to come.