Pictured: PitchFest winner Ms Suchitha Raghunathan of Microbeworks Scientific Pvt Ltd on stage with La Trobe University, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council and Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre representatives.
The India-Australia LaunchPad PitchFest event spotlighted 12 innovative Indian biotech startups pitching transformative solutions in medtech, agritech, and biopharma. These trailblazers competed for a coveted place in an Australian in-country immersion program - designed to deepen global market insight, foster international partnerships, and supercharge their path to the Australian market.
Pitching was judged by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including Dr Cerasela Tanasescu, Director (Innovation and Entrepreneurship), La Trobe University; Dr Santosh Kaur, CEO and Founder, SmartHeal; Dr Maneesh Paul, CEO, Microvioma; Bharath Chandra, Associate Vice President (Startups and Innovation), Karnataka Digital Economy Mission.
Three biotech startups were selected as the winners after demonstrating exceptional potential, both in terms of technical innovation and socio-economic impact.
- 1st Place - Microbeworks Scientific Pvt Ltd (Ms Suchitha Raghunathan)
- 2nd Place - Hornet Biologicals Pvt Ltd (Dr Omkar Babu K)
- 3rd Place - IMRobonix Pvt Ltd (Mr Manickanthan).
The selected winners will travel to Australia as part of the in-country immersion program.
Program participants will gain exclusive access to La Trobe University’s cutting-edge research facilities - including the Bio Innovation Hub, Digital Innovation Hub, and the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS). The program offers opportunities to forge lasting partnerships that can accelerate their ventures toward global impact.
Dr Mohamed Adil, Director, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, explained that, “PitchFest has shown the calibre of ideas coming out of India and the real potential of international collaboration.”
“We are proud to send three of our most promising startups to Australia, where they will continue their growth journey in a global context.”
Looking ahead: The Bio Innovation Corridor
The 2025 India-Australia LaunchPad PitchFest served as an inspiring showcase of innovation, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation in the biotech space. Highlighting the power of partnerships that connect Australia and India through shared expertise and mutual ambition.
The PitchFest event falls under the broader Bio Innovation Corridor initiative between La Trobe University and BBC to empower Indian innovators with tools, resources, and networks that transcend geographical boundaries.
“The Bio Innovation Corridor established between La Trobe University and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre embodies our shared vision for deep, sustainable innovation ties between India and Australia," said Professor Theo Farrell, Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University.
“The India-Australia Launchpad creates more than a pathway. It’s a two-way connection enabling knowledge exchange, startup scaling, and long-term impact.”
For La Trobe Innovation and Entrepreneurship or general industry partnership inquiries, please reach out to industry.engagement@latrobe.edu.au
