The Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (BITS-Pilani), Hyderabad campus, is betting big on the entrepreneurship development initiatives at the campus.
The institute is setting up a Technology Business Incubation (TBI) centre with assistance from Department of Science and Technology (DST) which will focus on areas such as biotech, pharma, ICT (information, communication and technology) and healthcare segments. The incubation, which is being set up with Rs 5 crore grant from DST and Rs 2.5 crore from the institution, will start operation in the next three months.
"To begin with, we plan to incubate five companies in first year of operation” VS Rao, director of BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad campus, told Business Standard. The institute has already seen many start-ups including Mauka.com, Slave Technologies Private Limited and Red Bus, an online bus ticket booking services.
Also, BITS has recently set up a Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) to encourage entrepreneurship development. CEL, in association with TBI, would promote entrepreneurial leadership across all disciplines, facilitate entrepreneurial activity amongst students, and invite entrepreneurs to use TBI services.
The institute has introduced a new course 'New Venture Creation', in association with its alumni association BITSAA International (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Alumni Association), to bring in hands-on experience and real time learning for the students.
"Keeping in mind the changing trends in education which is going to be more innovation-oriented, we are creating platform to promote entrepreneurship at the campus in a big way," he said. Currently, CEL has some on-campus start-ups including Trippin unlimited, Valonia, College Dhanda, Inc42, gadgetronica, LTGTR.
BITS Hyderabad campus, spread across 200 acres, is a fully residential institute with 2,800 students and 200 faculty members. It offers 13 graduate and four post graduate programme.