How to Apply for Seed Fund Incubator at ABLEST – BioNEST for Therapeutics & Smart Healthcare

Introduction

India’s startup ecosystem is evolving rapidly — and nowhere is this transformation more visible than in the deep-tech biological sciences and healthcare domain. Innovation isn’t just limited to software or digital services any more; it is crossing into therapeutics, diagnostics, smart healthcare solutions, and biomedical devices.

At the heart of this frontier is the incubator known as ABLEST (Association for Bio-inspired Leaders & Entrepreneurs at SASTRA TBI), hosted at the campus of SASTRA Deemed‑to‑be University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Recognised by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Government of India, ABLEST is a specialised BioNEST incubator designed to turn bioscience innovations into commercially viable enterprises.

If you are a researcher, scientist, entrepreneur or startup founder working in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, AI/ML for healthcare or other related biotech fields — this article provides a detailed guide on how to apply for incubation at ABLEST. It covers eligibility, focus areas, programs, infrastructure, benefits and the application process.

ABLEST stands for Association for Bio-inspired Leaders & Entrepreneurs at SASTRA TBI. It is a Section-8 non-profit company located within the SASTRA University campus in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

It functions as a BioNEST incubator, supported by BIRAC (Department of Biotechnology, Government of India) under the “Bio-incubators” scheme. Its aim is to support biotech, medtech and diagnostic startups — especially those that bridge research with commercialization.

With access to advanced laboratory infrastructure, molecular biology and imaging facilities, next-gen sequencing, and pre-clinical/animal work facilities — ABLEST offers a rare ecosystem within India for biomolecular and smart healthcare innovation.

Vision: To empower the biotech innovation ecosystem by nurturing startups in diagnostics, therapeutics and smart healthcare solutions — enabling India to become a global hub for biological innovation.

Mission:

• Provide world-class infrastructure and support systems to transform innovators into entrepreneurs.

• Help early-stage ventures scale from ideation to product launch, bridging the gap between conceptualization and commercialization.

• Promote research-led startups with societal impact in the domains of healthcare, diagnostics, therapeutics and medtech devices.

ABLEST focuses on high-impact, technology-driven domains within biotechnology and health tech — some key areas are:

• Therapeutics & Drug Development – small molecules, biologics, anti-infectives, drug repurposing.

• Diagnostics & Prognostics – development of kits, sensors, biosensors, molecular diagnostics, imaging diagnostics.

• Smart Healthcare & MedTech Devices – AI/ML for imaging, smart devices, wearable health solutions, IoT in healthcare.

• Pre-clinical Evaluation & Validation – access to BSL-2/BSL-3 labs, animal facility, next generation sequencing for biotech startups.

• Molecular Biology, Genomics & Proteomics – startups working in genomics, proteomics, biomarker discovery, custom therapeutics.

This niche focus differentiates ABLEST from general incubators — the infrastructure and domain expertise are specifically aligned with high-science biotech and healthcare startups.

When evaluating an incubator for biotech or health-tech startups, ABLEST offers several compelling advantages:

1. Academic & Research Strength

Since ABLEST is hosted within SASTRA University campus, it has access to student & faculty talent, multidisciplinary research labs, instrumentation and academic network. This provides a conducive environment for early-stage biotech development and collaboration.

2. Government & Sector-Specific Recognition

Supported by BIRAC (BioNEST scheme) and registered as a section-8 company focusing on biotech innovation — this gives startups access to sector-specific funding, grants and credibility.

3. Advanced Infrastructure & Facilities

ABLEST provides world-class facilities: bio-innovation lab space, molecular biology facility, imaging, NGS, animal facility, metal 3D printer, BSL-3 labs among others. For example, their next-gen sequencing (NGS) capability covers DNA/RNA sequencing, microbiome analysis etc.

4. Mentorship, Business & Funding Support

Beyond technical infrastructure, ABLEST provides business advisory, mentorship, investor connect, commercialization strategy and access to funding schemes targeted at biotech and medtech.

5. Proven Impact & Startup Credentials

According to BioNEST directory, ABLEST has onboarded ~36 biotech innovations, produced ~12 startups, and seven products have been launched — demonstrating its real-world value.

ABLEST is open to startups and innovators working in its focus domains. The following applicant profiles are most suitable:

Eligible Applicants:

• Individual scientists, researchers, or students with biotech/medtech innovations.

• Early-stage startups focusing on therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, healthcare AI/ML.

• Teams or MSMEs that want access to advanced biotech infrastructure and commercialization support.

• Innovators looking for translational research (lab to product) support.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Indian citizens or Indian registered startup entity.

• Innovation should be technology-/science-driven and have potential for commercialization.

• Ideally a prototype or proof-of-concept stage or ready to scale up.

• Focus within the biotech/healthcare/medtech domain aligned with ABLEST’s scope.

ABLEST supports startups through structured programs suited to different stages of development:

Pre-Incubation / Ideation Stage

For individuals or teams refining their biotech/healthtech idea. Support includes:

• Ideation workshops, innovation strategy

• Access to lab benches or basic instrumentation

• Mentorship on business model & science-business alignment

Incubation Program

For startups with prototypes or early traction. Support includes:

• Dedicated lab/work-bench space within ABLEST

• Access to NGS, imaging, animal facility, molecular biology labs

• Business mentoring, commercialization strategy, regulatory guidance

• Investor introductions and funding access

Acceleration / Product Launch Stage

For ventures ready to scale or launch product. Support includes:

• Pilot studies, clinical or pre-clinical validation support

• Help with regulatory approvals, quality control, manufacturing partnerships

• Market entry strategy, investor/VC connect, global expansion

Technical Support & Testing Services

ABLEST also offers services to startups and external users:

• Next-generation sequencing, molecular biology assays

• Animal facility for pre-clinical evaluation

• 3D Metal printing (medical implants) ● e.g., Titanium alloy implants via laser powder bed fusion. ablest.sastra.edu

ABLEST’s infrastructure is a major differentiator. Some of the core facilities include:

• Bio-Innovation Space: Bench-top workstations, fume hoods, clean benches, storage, chemical equipment for residential or remote incubatees.

• Tissue Culture Facilities (BSL-2): CO₂ incubators, inverted microscopes, ultra-centrifuge, cryo-storage — suitable for primary cell research.

• BSL-3 Facility: For virology/pathogenic organism handling, with negative pressure, HEPA filters, UV sterilization.

• Next Generation Sequencing Facility: With high-throughput sequencing — DNA/RNA/microbiome analysis capabilities.

• Animal Facility: Individually ventilated cages, pre-clinical animal models for translational research.

• Metal 3D Printing Facility: Dual-laser metal 3D printer manufacturing titanium alloy (TC4, Ti6Al4V) parts for medical, aerospace, advanced manufacturing use.

This infrastructure empowers biotech and medtech startups in ways that many general incubators cannot match.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Incubation at ABLEST

Here is a detailed process you can follow:

Step 1: Visit the Official ABLEST Website

Go to the official ABLEST portal at SASTRA University (Thanjavur). ablest.sastra.edu

Step 2: Prepare Your Application & Pitch Deck

Your deck should cover:

• Problem statement and your proposed solution (therapeutic/diagnostic/device)

• Technology/innovation description (what scientific/engineering advance)

• Stage of development (prototype, proof-of-concept, verifiable data)

• Market opportunity, user segments and business model

• Team background (scientific + business)

• Funding needs and usage plan

• Regulatory/commercial pathway (especially important in biotech/medtech)

Step 3: Submit the Application Form

Fill out the online application form and upload required documents: pitch deck, CVs of team, company registration (if any), any prototype visuals or data.

Step 4: Screening & Short-listing

ABLEST evaluation committee screens all applications based on innovation, technical feasibility, market potential, team strength and strategic fit with ABLEST’s focus areas.

Step 5: Interview / Pitch Session

Short-listed applicants are invited for a detailed pitch presentation/interaction with mentors, domain experts and ABLEST leadership.

Step 6: Selection & Onboarding

Selected startups sign an incubation agreement and are onboarded. They receive access to lab benches, infrastructure, mentorship, funding support and ABLEST ecosystem resources.

Step 7: Incubation, Mentoring & Growth

During incubation, startups benefit from periodic review sessions, profiling of milestones (prototype milestones, regulatory milestones, business validation), investor meetings, pilot study collaborations, technology commercialisation support and continuous mentorship.

Benefits of Joining ABLEST

Being incubated at ABLEST brings these advantages:

• ✅ Access to high-end biotech and instrumentation facilities (NGS, BSL-3, animal facility etc.)

• ✅ Domain-specific mentorship in biotech, medtech, diagnostics, regulatory science

• ✅ Business advisory and support for commercialization, regulatory approvals, quality & validation

• ✅ Funding access via BIRAC/BioNEST, Startup India, investor networks

• ✅ Collaboration and networking opportunities with academia, industry, hospitals and research institutions

• ✅ Credibility and visibility under a recognised BioNEST incubator

• ✅ Flexible incubation model (residential or remote) and scalable support as the startup grows ablest.sastra.edu

Success Stories & Impact

ABLEST has achieved measurable outcomes:

• On-boarded about 36 biotech innovations, with ~12 graduating as startups and 7 products launched. birac.nic.in+1

• Enabled in vitro and in vivo validations, regulatory frameworks for pilot tests (some with CDSCO licences) birac.nic.in

• Enabled partnerships e.g., MoU with TICEL Biopark for co-incubation, scale-up and industrial collaboration. SASTRA Alumni Association

These examples show the concrete pathway from lab to market that ABLEST enables.

Looking Ahead – Future Vision

ABLEST sees itself evolving into a national benchmark for biotechnology incubation. Some of its emerging priorities include:

• Expanding support for medical devices, diagnostics and AI/ML in healthcare

• Scaling translational research that moves from academic labs to commercial products

• Strengthening industry linkages and global collaborations to help startups enter markets faster

• Offering advanced testing, certification and regulatory support in-house for medtech ventures

• Growing mentorship networks with global domain experts in biotech and diagnostics.

Conclusion

If you are a scientist, researcher, entrepreneur or startup founder working on biotech, diagnostics, therapeutics or smart healthcare solutions, then ABLEST (SASTRA TBI BioNEST) offers a rare and comprehensive ecosystem in India to transform your innovation into a scalable business.

From rigorous infrastructure, domain-specific mentorship and regulatory/business advisory to funding access and commercialization pathways — ABLEST stands out as a premier incubator for deep-tech life sciences in the country.

📌 Visit the official website, prepare your application carefully, and apply for incubation at ABLEST today. Your research could be the next healthcare breakthrough.