News
Pune Inc | After husband’s cancer death, startup founder vows to cut chemicals from soil
Venture Center-supported startup Proximal Soilsens Technologies, led by Dr. Rajul Patkar, is developing portable soil-sensing technology to help farmers make informed decisions about fertiliser use. Featured in The Indian Express, the story explores how real-time soil data can encourage more precise farming, reduce excessive chemical inputs and support healthier soils Read more
Venture Center and mc² join forces to accelerate clean-energy startups
Venture Center’s role as an mc²+ incubation partner and mc² Node for Pune takes centre stage in this Loksatta report on strengthening India’s clean-energy startup ecosystem. The initiative aims to help energy and decarbonisation ventures move beyond research through industry collaboration, technology validation, infrastructure and financial support. Read more
Kozhnosys: Advancing early breast cancer detection through breath analysis
Venture Center-associated startup Kozhnosys is developing CanScan, a non-invasive technology designed to detect early signs of breast cancer through a breath sample. Featured in DD News’ Next Gen Bharat, the ANI report spotlights how indigenous research and AI-driven innovation could help make cancer screening more accessible and patient-friendly. Read more
Strategic Acquisitions Power the Next Chapter of India’s Life Sciences Startups
As India’s life sciences ecosystem matures, acquisitions are emerging as a way for startups to expand capabilities, access new markets and accelerate innovation. In BioSpectrum India, Dr. V. Premnath, Founder Director of Venture Center, shares his perspective on how mergers and acquisitions can create growth opportunities and provide valuable exit pathways for startups and investors. Read more
Pune Inc | Couple’s startup finds way to reuse hard-to-recycle multi-layered plastic
Venture Center-incubated startup Ismclimatech, founded by Deepali and Harsh Jadia, is finding new value in one of recycling’s toughest challenges: multilayer plastic (MLP) waste. Featured in The Indian Express, the startup uses a biochemical upcycling process to convert discarded packaging into durable plastic pellets for potential industrial applications. Read more
Hydrovert Energy: Building India’s hydrogen-powered mobility future
Venture Center-associated startup Hydrovert Energy, led by Satyajit Phadke and Supriya Patwardhan, is developing indigenous hydrogen-powered vehicles, including a motorcycle and a cargo three-wheeler. Featured on DD News’ Next Gen Bharat, the ANI report explores how the team is advancing clean mobility through hydrogen fuel-cell technology and locally developed engineering. Read more
Advancing Clean Energy Innovation: Venture Center’s Green Hydrogen CoE Inaugurated in Pune
The inauguration of Venture Center’s Centre of Excellence for Clean Energy and Green Hydrogen Innovation on August 20, 2026, received coverage across print, digital and video media. The reports highlighted the Centre’s advanced testing infrastructure and its role in supporting clean energy innovation. The coverage also featured the CleanTech Startup Showcase, spotlighting Venture Center incubatees Hydrovert Energy’s hydrogen-powered motorcycle and PadCare India’s sanitary pad recycling solutions. Read more
Peanut to protein: Pune startup bets big on plant-based nutrition
Venture Center-associated startup Proeon, founded by Kevin Parekh and Ashish Korde, is turning crops such as peanuts and mung beans into high-quality plant-based protein ingredients. Featured in The Indian Express, the story explores how the Pune-based company is building sustainable alternatives to animal protein for food brands in India and international markets Read more
Lamark Biotech: Rethinking cold storage for essential medicines
Venture Center-associated startup Lamark Biotech is working on technology that could reduce the need for continuous refrigeration of essential medicines such as insulin and vaccines. Featured in DD News’ Next Gen Bharat, the ANI report highlights how innovations across healthcare, medical education and biotechnology are helping shape the future of healthcare delivery. Read more
Potion First (Proxi Farma): Making everyday nutrition more accessible
Venture Center-associated startup Potion First (Proxi Farma) is exploring new ways to deliver convenient, nutrient-rich beverages using freeze-drying technology. Featured in an ANI report, the startup’s work highlights how food innovation can bring together fruits, vegetables and plant proteins to make nutrition more accessible for everyday consumers Read more
Pune Inc: How her mother’s death set a top scientist on a mission to improve diagnostics
Venture Center-supported startup FastSense Innovations, founded by Dr. Preeti Nigam Joshi, is developing accessible diagnostic technologies to help detect serious diseases earlier. In The Indian Express, Joshi shares how the loss of her mother to pancreatic cancer inspired her to translate scientific research into practical healthcare solutions, including rapid sepsis detection and cancer diagnostics. Read more
Shastratatva Tech: Taking agricultural innovation beyond the field
Agriculture is evolving through advances in machinery, research and high-quality planting material. Featured on ANI’s Next Gen Bharat for DD News, Venture Center-associated startup Shastratatva Tech represents the growing role of technology and young innovators in making farming more productive, sustainable and commercially viable. Read more
Pune scientist develops wash to remove pesticides from fruits, vegetables
Venture Center-incubated startup Green Pyramid Biotech, founded by CSIR-NCL scientist Dr. Asmita Prabhune, is working to make everyday food safer with its fruit and vegetable wash, Sophab. The Indian Express spotlights the science behind the innovation and the startup’s efforts to address pesticide residues and improve produce hygiene Read more
Young scientists develop homegrown solutions in probiotics and plant-based protein
How can biotechnology help improve nutrition while reducing India’s dependence on imports? In an ANI video produced for DD News’ Next Gen Bharat, Venture Center-associated startups Jinsei Biosciences and Proeon Foods showcase innovations in indigenous probiotics and plant-based proteins, highlighting how Indian research is translating into solutions for health and nutrition. Read more
The Pune ‘witch’ working magic with water hyacinth
Venture Center-associated startup Witch Craft Innovations LLP, founded by Laxmi Behere, is turning water hyacinth, an invasive weed that chokes local water bodies, into thoughtfully designed lifestyle products. Featured in The Indian Express, the story explores how the startup is transforming an environmental challenge into handcrafted footwear and home décor while creating opportunities for women artisans. Read more
Fields of green
From banana stems and coconut shells to crop residues and discarded leaves, Indian startups are turning agricultural waste into valuable products. Shaastra, IIT Madras’s science and technology magazine, spotlights ventures finding new uses for farm waste while advancing sustainability and circular-economy solutions. Read more
Incubated in Pune, this startup founder is turning banana waste into leather
What if banana waste could become the next sustainable alternative to leather? The Indian Express profiles Jinali Mody, founder of Banofi, a Venture Center-associated startup, which transforms agricultural waste into a plant-based leather alternative. The feature explores how Banofi is turning an abundant farm by-product into a promising material for fashion, luxury goods and automotive applications, bringing circular-economy thinking into the world of sustainable materials. Read more
Customers buy solutions, not tech: Persistent Systems MD Anand Deshpande
At the launch of CanDid Volume II, Persistent Systems founder Anand Deshpande shared a practical lesson for technology startups: customers are looking for solutions to real problems, not technology alone. The Times of India reports on his insights into market selection, sales and building teams for growth. Read more
Customers don’t buy technology, but solutions: Startup founder
The Indian Express covers the launch of CanDid Volume II, Venture Center’s publication chronicling the journeys of emerging tech startup founders, featuring a session by Anand Deshpande, Founder of Persistent Systems. His talk, Scaling Technology Startups, emphasised solving customer problems, identifying the right markets and building teams for sustainable growth. Read more
Pune Inc | From mountain chill to made-in-India innovation: Startup ‘prints’ warmth into lightweight jackets
The Indian Express profiles Suryudey Plastic Electronics Pvt. Ltd., a Venture Center-associated startup founded by Yash Goliya, which is developing lightweight heated jackets using printed electronics. By printing conductive inks directly onto flexible materials, the startup is creating wearable heating technology with potential applications in healthcare, defence, automotive and other sectors. Read more
Startup founders discuss why intellectual property rights can make or break sports innovation
The article covers a discussion organised by Venture Center and TechEx.in in Pune on the role of intellectual property rights (IPR) in sports innovation. Startup founders highlighted how patents, trademarks and copyrights protect innovations, strengthen competitiveness and support commercialisation. The key takeaway was that startups must prioritise IP protection while bringing products to market and generating revenue. Read more
Startup founders discuss why intellectual property rights can make or break sports innovation
The Indian Express covers a Venture Center and TechEx.in event exploring the role of intellectual property rights in sports innovation. The feature highlights insights from startup founders and experts on protecting innovative technologies, securing competitive advantages and building commercially viable sports-related products. Read more
Pune Inc: This startup is building a ‘100% safe’ sodium-ion battery using Indian raw materials
The Indian Express profiles Rechargion, a Venture Center-associated startup developing sodium-ion batteries using locally available Indian raw materials. The feature highlights the startup’s efforts to build a safer, more self-reliant battery technology and strengthen India’s domestic energy storage ecosystem. Read more
Designing Better Healthcare: By Women, for Women
BioSpectrum India spotlights Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions, Kozhnosys and Intignus Biotech, three startups associated with Venture Center, in its feature on women-led healthcare innovation. The article highlights their efforts to address critical gaps in women's healthcare through accessible cervical cancer screening, non-invasive breast cancer detection and early screening for preeclampsia. Read more
Budget 2026–27: Pune Industry Welcomes MSME Equity Fund, TReDS Mandate; Seeks AI Push, Export Boost
The Indian Express features Dr. V. Premnath, Director of Venture Center, in its coverage of industry reactions to the Union Budget 2026–27. He highlights how proposed equity and liquidity support for MSMEs, alongside investments in strategic manufacturing sectors, could create opportunities for startups and small businesses to scale their operations. Read more
India’s Startup Safety Net: Incubators & Venture Studios
The Financial Express features Dr. V. Premnath, Director of Venture Center, in an article examining how incubators and venture studios help startups navigate early-stage challenges, bridge funding gaps and translate innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. Read more
Hidden Stories | What innovators read to gain competitive advantage: Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years
The Indian Express article written by Dipanita Nath features the Venture Center Library as a knowledge resource for entrepreneurs, innovators and the wider public. The article explores its curated collection of books, journals and market research resources, alongside its book clubs, author interactions, technical sessions and learning activities for children. Read more
BioPrime and Yara India collaborate to provide farmers with innovative sustainable solutions
Venture Center incubatee BioPrime Agrisolutions and Yara India partner to combat climate uncertainties in farming. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the agricultural sector, paving the way for innovation and sustainability in farming practices. Read more
Venture Center partners with Blockchain for Impact to accelerate healthcare innovations
Blockchain For Impact CEO Dr Gaurav Singh and Venture Center Director Dr V Premnath announced strategic partnership aimed at nurturing innovation and driving advancements in healthcare in New Delhi on March 4 Read more
Venture Center partners with Kotak Alternate Asset Managers for the Investor Readiness Programme
In a significant move to bolster the healthcare startup ecosystem in India, Venture Center has partnered with Kotak Alternate Asset Managers to launch the second cohort of the Investor Readiness Programme for healthcare startups Read more