BIPA Announces Winners of India’s First BioAgri Startup Challenge at BioAgri 2025
15 December 2025, Hyderabad: The BioAgri Input Producers Association (BIPA), the world’s oldest trade body representing the agricultural biologicals sector, has announced the winners of India’s first-ever Startup Challenge dedicated exclusively to BioAgri innovation. The challenge was held as part of the two-day BioAgri 2025 conference, which concluded in Hyderabad.
Arthro Biotech, Pinnacle BioSciences, and Silverphage Technologies emerged as the top three startups, while V-Humate received the consolation prize. The initiative marked an important step for India’s BioAgri ecosystem by providing early-stage companies with national and international exposure and a platform to engage directly with investors, researchers, and industry leaders, despite the absence of prize money.
The BioAgri Startup Challenge saw participation from 20 startups from across the country and was jointly organised by BIPA in collaboration with leading biotech and deep-tech incubators, including IKP Knowledge Park (International One Health Incubator), Venture Centre Pune, AgHub Hyderabad, Pusa Krishi, and Social Alpha. The programme was coordinated by a BIPA member entrepreneur, underscoring the association’s industry-led approach to innovation support.
Finalists presented their solutions before an audience of more than 200 stakeholders from India and overseas during BioAgri 2025, one of India’s largest conferences for agri-input professionals. Following two rounds of jury evaluation, five startups were shortlisted for live pitching, from which the final winners were selected.
Arthro Biotech secured first place for its work on eco-friendly animal feed components and soil conditioners. The company was founded by Praveen K. Sappa and co-founded by Kishore Nalam. Pinnacle BioSciences took second place for its algae-based solutions spanning agriculture, animal nutrition, aquaculture, and human health. Founded by algology expert Dr M. Adhi Visvanathan, the company is led by Director Vishnu Ram along with Gowtham. Chandigarh-based Silverphage Technologies won third place for its biological solutions portfolio, represented at the event by Shivam Chinyoti. V-Humate, which received the consolation prize, is engaged in developing advanced solutions for agriculture, oil drilling, and animal feed applications.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Venkatesh Devanur, Secretary General, BIPA, said the Startup Challenge was conceived to encourage deep-tech innovation in biological agriculture by creating access to critical business networks and pathways to commercialisation. He added that through such platforms, BIPA aims to strengthen India’s BioAgri ecosystem by recognising emerging innovators alongside established industry leaders.
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