Rayat Bahra University (RBU) and Shukra Pharmaceuticals Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a dedicated Rs. 10 lakh seed fund for student entrepreneurs, marking one of the few instances of a publicly listed pharmaceutical company creating a pre-seed fund for a university startup ecosystem outside India’s major metropolitan centres.
The Entrepreneurship & Startup Support Cell (ESSC) of RBU formalized the agreement in New Delhi. Under the partnership, Shukra Pharmaceuticals will provide Rs. 10 lakh in seed funding, plus incubation support and expert mentorship for student-led ventures.
The initiative will benefit startups in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, and agriculture. It will also give students from RBU’s School of Pharmaceutical Sciences practical exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturing, intellectual property development, regulatory affairs, and industry-driven innovation challenges.
Amandeep Bhalla, Vice President (Advanced Surgical) at Shukra Pharmaceuticals, said: “We want our youth to look at complex global problems and see viable startup opportunities”.
Gurvinder Singh Bahra, Chancellor of Rayat Bahra University, added: “This partnership reflects our vision of building an innovation-driven ecosystem where students are not only prepared for employment but are empowered to become job creators, researchers, and entrepreneurs”.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
Q1: What does the seed fund offer to students?
The fund provides Rs. 10 lakh in seed funding along with incubation support and expert mentorship for student-led ventures in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
Q2: Which sectors will benefit from this initiative?
Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, and agriculture startups will benefit, along with School of Pharmaceutical Sciences students gaining industry exposure.
Q3: What activities will the partnership include?
Both will organise boot camps, hackathons, entrepreneurship programmes, faculty workshops, and innovation challenges, plus joint research and consultancy projects.