ASPIRE-BioNEST, the life sciences incubation centre of the University of Hyderabad, in association with the Technology Enabling Centre (TEC), successfully organized BioINNOVATE 2026 – Life Sciences Innovation Hackathon on 16th February 2026 at the School of Life Sciences.
The hackathon witnessed strong national participation, with 45 teams comprising 3–4 students each, totalling around 130 students, who presented innovative life science solutions. The participating teams included UG, PG, and PhD students, highlighting engagement across all academic levels. Participants represented not only Telangana but also other states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and others, reflecting the expanding national footprint of the UoH innovation ecosystem.
BioINNOVATE 2026 provided a structured platform for students and young researchers to identify pressing societal challenges and propose science-driven, feasible solutions across priority domains in life sciences and healthcare. The event enabled participants to present their innovations before an eminent jury comprising leaders from industry, academia, and the innovation ecosystem. Teams received constructive feedback and strategic guidance to refine their ideas toward translation and venture creation.
Prof. S. Rajagopal, Director, ASPIRE-BioNEST, stated that BioINNOVATE 2026 reflects the University of Hyderabad’s strengthening innovation culture and encourages young researchers to think beyond laboratory research toward entrepreneurship and societal impact.
The program was supported by the Aurobindo Pharma CSR grant under the GreenEdge initiative, aimed at empowering student-led innovations in priority life sciences areas and supporting startups working to reduce the chemical footprint through green chemistry and biocatalysis.
Ideas were evaluated through a rigorous multi-stage process, including pitch presentations and final jury deliberations across diagnostics, healthcare, and biotechnology domains. Submissions were assessed based on innovation and originality, scientific merit and feasibility, societal and industrial relevance, as well as clarity of presentation and teamwork.
Winners of BioINNOVATE 2026:
- Winner: Metaboveda – “Lingua AI: The Digital Gateway to Metabolic Health” – Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College, Moodubidre, Karnataka.
- Runner: EndoTrace Biosystems – “Decoding Uterine Readiness: A Biosensor-Based Fertility Assessment Approach” – National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad.
- Special Recognition: Alignmate – “BioMapMate: Biomechanical Multimodal Assessment Platform” – KLE Institute of Physiotherapy, Kaher University, Belagavi.
- Special Recognition: Crimson Print – “IoT and AI-Powered Non-Invasive Blood Group Prediction” – CBIT, Hyderabad.
- Special Recognition: Avengers – “Polyamines Treatment in Terminalia arjuna for Enhanced Tussar Silk Worm Growth” – Vaagdevi Degree and P.G. College, Telangana.
All five winning teams will receive not only cash prizes but also prestigious, structured pre-incubation support from ASPIRE-BioNEST. This support includes mentorship, technical validation guidance, business advisory assistance, and entrepreneurial handholding to help translate their innovations into viable ventures.
In addition, a few selected high-potential ideas will receive focused handholding support from the Technology Enabling Centre (TEC), which was established to facilitate the translation of academic innovations into tangible products and to address industry challenges by connecting academic innovators with industry partners. Through TEC support, selected teams will gain industry exposure, expert interactions, and opportunities for technology showcasing.
ASPIRE-BioNEST is one of India’s largest bio-incubators, jointly established by the University of Hyderabad and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. It supports deep-tech life sciences startups through advanced laboratory infrastructure, structured mentorship, and strong industry–academia partnerships, having enabled over 80 startups to date.
BioINNOVATE 2026 marks another important milestone in strengthening Hyderabad’s position as a leading life sciences innovation hub and reinforces the University of Hyderabad’s role in advancing India’s bio-entrepreneurship landscape.