Startups shifting focus to healthcare

In such a scenario, BioAsia, Asia’s largest Bio Technology and Life Scie-nces forum, is bringing together many investors and stakeholders from the industry and giving a platform for healthcare startups to showcase their product and get the requisite mentoring. The forum is set to take place in February 2016. Talking about the initiative, BioAsia CEO Shakthi Nagappan said, “Last year we were mostly focused on nurturing students in the healthcare sector. But this time we are looking at mid-level startups who need further guidance in terms of finances and sustainability. As the healthcare system is constrai-ned, we are mostly looking at innovative models and are only going to take in those startups which are product-based rather than idea-based. We are looking at getting 300 applicants and will select 30-50 applicants out of this lot.”

The focus areas of this forum will range from health & diagnostic mobile apps, to patient data management and e-health records, 3D prosthetics and 3D Bio printing etc. The forum has already pooled in investors and mentors for the same and hopes to get all stakeholders by next month. Elaborating on the inputs being provided by the state, Telangana government secretary (industries, commerce and energy), Arvind Kumar said, “Startups in lifesciences and healthcare sectors are transforming healthcare worldwide...We recently unveiled the Telangana Industrial Policy which also aims to provide the right boost to these sectors... We are delighted to be organising this one of its kind platform at BioAsia which is aimed at helping startups.”