Ayush Incubation Program
This program is geared towards innovation and entrepreneurship in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Harness the power of traditional wisdom with modern business acumen. The BMIIL Ayush Incubation Program is a unique platform dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH). We provide crucial support for startups focusing on product standardization, intellectual property (IP) protection, and navigating the specialized AYUSH licensing and quality control ecosystem. If your venture aims to commercialize traditional wellness, medicine, or sustainable practices, our program offers the expertise and network you need to succeed.
Who should apply?
AYUSH Practitioners & Scholars: Professionals (BAMS, BUMS, etc.), researchers and students looking to commercialize their clinical knowledge or research findings into standardized products or services.
Early-Stage Startups/Idea-Stage Ventures: Teams or individuals with novel concepts for products, services, or technology based on AYUSH principles.
MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises): Small-scale manufacturers looking to upgrade their technology, improve Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance, or diversify their product line.
Selection Criteria
The Ayush Program seeks ventures that can modernize traditional knowledge, ensure scientific standardization, and achieve commercial scale with high quality.
Key Selection Criteria for Ayurveda Startups
- Scientific and Clinical Validation
- The idea or product must demonstrate a scientific approach and preferably have data or a clear plan for clinical validation (e.g., protocols for trials or PoC studies).
- Clinical safety and efficacy must align with Ministry of AYUSH requirements and Indian regulatory standards.
- Regulatory Readiness
- Startups should have clarity about required licensing under AYUSH, GMP, ISO, FSSAI, and other relevant authorities.
- Intellectual property protection strategy should be outlined, including patent filings or proprietary herbal combinations.
- Market and Product Innovation
- Solutions should address clear health or wellness market gaps, showing market analysis and precise user benefit.
- Preference for evidence-backed products, digital health tools for Ayurveda, or scalable service models targeting unmet clinical needs.
- Technical Feasibility and Team Capability
- Should possess technology or knowledge for product development, such as novel formulations, device-augmented Ayurveda, or validated IT platforms for Ayurveda practices.
- Balanced founding team with Ayurveda domain experts, technologists, and business management.
- Compliance and Certification
- Startups must intend to comply with all pharmaceutical and Ayurvedic product manufacturing norms set by AYUSH and related bodies.
- Processes for manufacturing, testing, and quality assurance must be planned from the outset.
- Incubation Fit and Impact Potential
- Scalable Product: Focus on consumer-facing products (wellness, nutraceuticals, medicine) with domestic and international export potential.
- Solutions should fit medtech incubator facilities, such as access to clinical research, lab infrastructure, or digital health validation resources.
- Startups must have a pathway for job creation, scalable impact, or intellectual property generation in the Ayurveda health sector.
Additional Considerations
- Readiness for mentorship and acceleration, with openness to expert guidance and partnerships.
- Plans for association and collaboration with reputed academic or industry bodies in Ayurveda and healthcare.
- Commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, including transparent supply chain and community health impact.
- Sustainable Sourcing: A viable plan for ethical and sustainable sourcing of raw materials (medicinal plants) is highly valued.
What you get?
This program focuses on integrating traditional knowledge with modern business practices, ensuring compliance, quality, and broad market acceptance.
Scientific & Quality Validation:
- R&D Facilities Access: Use of in-house labs for product standardization, quality testing, and chemical analysis of herbal/natural formulations.
- Protocol Development: Guidance on establishing scientific validation protocols for traditional practices and products to enhance global credibility.
Regulatory & Licensing Support:
- AYUSH Licensing: Dedicated advisory for obtaining mandatory AYUSH licenses and FSSAI approvals (for food supplements).
- Geographical Indication (GI) & IPR: Support in securing and protecting Intellectual Property Rights related to traditional knowledge and proprietary formulations.
Domain Expertise & Clinical Connect:
- Mentorship: Mentoring from experienced Ayurveda/Yoga practitioners, Pharma/Nutraceutical industry veterans, and export-market strategists.
- Pilot Study Access: Connects to partner Ayush clinics or wellness centers for conducting efficacy trials and user feedback sessions.
Digital & Market Linkages:
- E-Commerce Strategy: Training on leveraging digital platforms (e.g., Ayush Grid, e-Charak) and creating effective digital-first marketing campaigns for wellness products.