September 2014

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 22 sep 2014

The recent study by Pitchbook Data, based on the funding data between 2009 to July 2014, number of startups and analysis of educational backgrounds of over 13000 founders globally, observed that IIT's (Indian Institute of Technology) are among the top 10 of world's most entrepreneurial universities, with 264 entrepreneurs, who have founded 205 companies and cumulatively raised US$3.15 billion. On the basis of total capital raised, at the top is Stanford University (US$ 3.51 billion) and at the 2nd spot is taken by Harvard University (US$ 3.23 billion). According to Sangeet Paul Choudary of Platform Thinking Labs, 'Less than 2 percent of the applicants get selected, and less than 0.1 percent make it to a top rated branch like computer science or electrical engineering, which is where most of tech-related entrepreneurship and VC activity takes place.' The study by Kauffman Foundation found that 33.2% of all companies founded by immigrants in the US had an Indian co-founder. But a different point that should also be mentioned here is that IIT's are not able to make a higher global mark on the academic basis with most of them being ranked between 351-400, according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2013-14. Read on...

QUARTZ: Why India's best tech schools produce more entrepreneurs than the Ivy League
Author: Nelson Vinod Moses

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 21 sep 2014

Entrepreneurs need, in addition to never-give-up attitude, creativity, differentiating skill-sets etc, a sizeable amount of external resources at the right time to build their dreams into business realities and to grow them succesfully for their own and society's benefit. These resources can be valuable guidance and mentoring from experts, initial angel funding to accelerator and incubator support, and collaborations and partnerships with individuals and organizations. To pursue entrepreneurship in India, it is important to have awareness about organizations that facilitate and support entrepreneurial ideas and startups, so that one can explore and connect with them for the valuable assistance at the critical juncture of their existence. Some of these organizations are - Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE): One-stop-shop for funding, mentoring and enterprise connect; Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI): Provide world-class mentoring and guidance services; Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE): Focuses on development of micro, small and medium enterprises and, promotes and facilitates entrepreneurship, alongwith providing consultancy, advisory and training services; NASSCOM 10,000 Startups: The initiative of National Association of Software and Services Companies, is created with the aim to provide funding and enable entrepreneurs to start-up and grow their businesses. Read on...

Business Insider: Startup! Claim Your F.A.M.E. (Funding. Acceleration. Mentoring. Enterprise Connect)
Author: Richa Sharma

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 19 sep 2014

According to a report from the International Panel on Climate Change, climatic factors like heatwaves, drought, and unpredictable rainfall patterns are already adversely affecting the yields of staples like wheat and maize. Moreover World Bank's Dr. Jim Yong Kim predicts that food shortages could lead to 'food wars' within the next 5 to 10 years. But jackfruit, native to India and grown extensively in South & South-East Asia, may come to the rescue and provide a solution to the depleting food supply in future. Biotechnology researcher, Shyamala Reddy, from University of Agriculture Sciences in Banglore, India says, ' It can provide so many nutrients and calories - everything. If you just eat 10 or 12 bulbs of this fruit, you don't need food for another half a day. It is rich in potassium, calcium, and iron, making it more nutritious than current starchy staples.' According to Danielle Nierenberg of Food Tank, which works on sustainable agriculture, 'It is easy to grow. It survives pests and diseases and high temperatures. It is drought-resistant. It achieves what farmers need in food production when facing a lot of challenges under climate change.' While Nyree Zerega, a researcher of plant biology at Chicago Botanic Garden, points out that, 'The down-market reputation of jackfruit is unwarranted. In addition to its high nutritional value, the fruit is very versatile. The seeds, young fruit, and mature varieties are all edible.' Read on...

the guardian: Jackfruit heralded as 'miracle' food crop
Author: Suzanne Goldenberg

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 08 sep 2014

India can take advantage of its demographic dividend only when its younger population is provided right direction and opportunities. It is one of the countries with an acute talent crisis with even the educated youth having insufficient skills to be effectively absorbed in the job market. India lacks behind in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) investment, with only 0.88% of its GDP in science research while US (7-8%) & South Korea (3-4%) are way ahead. Former Director General of DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organization), Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, last year mentioned that only 4 out of 1000 young students opt for science & technology or research as their future career as compared to 8 in China, 55 in the USA, 76 in Israel, 76 in Germany, 46 in Korea and 110 in Japan. According to a survey, by 2020 India is estimated to have a shortfall of 1.5 to 2.2 million engineers. To be a successful developed nation, India has to focus on a comprehensive program for STEM education. Moreover it has to encourage the spirit of creativity & innovation and promote students to also pursue true research. Intel Corporation is pursuing a program in a public-private partnership, Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS), with Department of Science & Technology and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) to popularize science and the spirit of innovation among students of Class 5-12. The program selects innovative students through project-based competition and then these students are mentored to represent India at a global platform, Intel ISEF, and showcase their projects to win awards and scholarships. India has to develop a mechanism where students who have shown creative and innovative abilities are nurtured within the current education system and encouraged & supported to build upon their ideas. More involvement of private sector is also required to promote STEM proficiency. Debjani Ghosh of Intel, the author of article, further mentions, 'We need to encourage project based learning and inquiry based interdisciplinary approaches in the classroom. Without the change happening at the basic level, STEM will remain a periphery for our students.' Read on...

DNA: India needs a literacy movement for science, technology, engineering and maths
Author: Debjani Ghosh

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 04 sep 2014

Indiscriminate, inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics leads to an undesirable consequence of multi drug resistant bug. In 2009 metallo lactamase NDM-1 was first detected in a patient in New Delhi. In a recent study conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Asad Ullah Khan and Dr. Shadab Parvez of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), have found a deadly bacteria variant known as NDM-4 from the samples of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital's sewage. This is the first recorded occurence of NDM-4, which is also called 'super bug' and is a more deadly variant of NDM-1, in India. According to Dr. Khan, 'We have to spread more awareness nationwide regarding the urgent need of taking due precautions with regards to safe drinking water and uncontaminated food.' Dr. Khan mentioned that high risk group for this bacteria are people with very low resistance such as cancer and HIV patients. Read on...

The Financial Times: Antibiotic resistant 'super bug' found by Aligarh Muslim University researchers
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 04 sep 2014

India has successfully placed itself as the leading hub of low-cost 'generic' pharmaceuticals in the world. But similar development and success is needed in case of medical technology (MedTech), one of the other main component of healthcare ecosystem alongwith pharmaceuticals and services. It includes variety of technology-based devices, diagnostics, equipment etc. Currently 2/3rd of India's MedTech market constitutes high-priced imports from other countries. Professor David Kelso of Northwestern University says, 'If people began designing devices specifically for resource-poor settings, they could come up with much better solutions.' India has to focus on becoming a hub of low-cost, innovative MedTech products and learn from the development and creation of innovative MedTech industries in Israel and Singapore. It can facilitate entrepreneurial and start-up ecosystem through public-academic-private partnership (PAPP). The MedTech market in India is substantial and can't be ignored with majority of low and mid-income consumers. MedTech spend in India is estimated to grow from US$ 6 billion (Rs 36000 crore) today to over US$ 40 billion (Rs 250000 crore) in 2025. Read on...

The Hindu: India can be more than a pharma hub
Author: Siraj Dhanani

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