Existing Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) therapy designed for Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) for RDS treatment may be inaccessible at low-resource settings especially in Low- and middle-income countries. C-CAMP supported startup Innaccel’s technology- ‘Saans’ addresses this with a portable, low-skill, multi-powered, infrastructure independent CPAP device that can be used in resource-constrained settings to provide breathing support to neonates. Saans has been deployed across India’s urban and remote areas and in LMICs including Ethiopia in Africa. A state-wide deployment of Saans in Assam, India has demonstrated 95% reduction in need for mechanical ventilation and 15-20% reduction in mortality rates. Innaccel has two more innovations, one in maternal and child health (Fetal-lite) and another called VAP-Care that prevents hospital acquired infections like ventilator-associated pneumonia (US-FDA approval and CE certification received). Through their technologies, Innaccel has touched 20,000 lives and has raised 60 Cr INR (approx. 7 Mn USD) in funding. They have won several global awards including the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s innovation for sustainable development award for Saans in 2019. Fetal-lite was presented to Bill Gates at the Goalkeepers 2030 conference and Saans was highlighted in Unitaid’s report on ‘The Medical Oxygen Innovation Landscape.’

The annual mortality caused by antimicrobial resistance is 700,000 people globally with a projection of 10 Mn mortalities by 2050. Bugworks is a C-CAMP supported drug discovery startup whose lead antibacterial candidate BWC0977 is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials. BWC0977, a novel dual target topoisomerase inhibitor available in both intravenous and oral forms will treat Multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. They are also in the pre-clinical stage with an immune-oncotherapy asset. Bugworks has been selected as a game-changing startup across all sectors by global market analyst CB Insights in 2019 and had won the Economic Times Top Innovator award in 2018. They have raised approx. 350 Cr INR (42.9 Mn USD) in total funding at a valuation of approx. 500 Cr INR (60 Mn USD).

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, more than 50% of vaccine wastage takes place during distribution, particularly at last-mile delivery due to lapses or inaccessibility of proper cold chain support. C-CAMP supported Blackfrog’s innovation Emvolio, has unique pre-set temperature settings, strict temperature control and easy portability and traceability. Its thermoregulation properties are further boosted by advanced algorithms that have been proven to maintain a stable and uniform WHO prescribed 2-80C temperature environment despite heavy handling and high/low ambient temperatures with vaccine viability lasting up to 12 hours. Emvólio is currently operational in more than 16 states across the country and expanding soon to LMICs such as Republic of Kenya and Nigeria.

Rapid and affordable point-of-care testing of soil health is a critical gap in India’s agricultural set-up. C-CAMP supported Krishitantra is filling up this gap by providing a rapid point-of-contact soil testing. Their device boosts productivity by optimising nutrient use, reducing wastage, and saving time and resources. The technology supports digitisation of agricultural practices, increasing crop yield, enabling sustainable farming and improving farmer lives. They have raised approx. 9.8 Cr INR (1.18 Mn USD) at a valuation of approx. 27 Cr INR (3.24 Mn USD) and have received the Digital India 2022 award from the Hon’ble President of India.

C-CAMP supported startup Sea6 Energy is addressing sustainable farming, food security and the mitigation of impact of climate change on our planet health and specifically in agriculture . Their technology platform allows for large scale mechanised tropical seaweed farming and conversion of seaweed into bio-stimulants, animal feed, biomaterials, renewable chemicals and energy sources. Sea6 Energy has commercialised their “biostimulant” from red seaweeds in more than 20 countries globally. This globally patented product has received regulatory approvals in 20+ countries and has demonstrated effects in improving soil health, nutrient use efficiency and crop yields. They have raised a cumulative follow-on-funding of 200 Crore INR (23 Mn. USD) and have sold over 10 lakh products globally.

The prevalence of Bovine mastitis ranges from 17.1% to 71% in both clinical and subclinical types. This confers huge losses to dairy and food industries, impacting both milk yield and quality. Misuse of antibiotics to treat this has led to dairy products becoming a significant health theat and a source of antimicrobial resistance. C-CAMP supported startup Faunatech’s unique platform technology is addressing this critical issue with their novel smartphone-based diagnostics platform, “Fauna which has already demonstrated early-stage mastitis detection and the potential to increase milk production by 22%. Faunatech has won the World Food Forum Startup Innovation Award in 2022. They have received follow-on-funding of upto 7.5 Cr. INR (approx. 900,000 USD) and is valued at 80 Cr. INR (9 Mn USD)

Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 2,50,000 additional deaths per year, from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress alone. String Bio Pvt Ltd., a C-CAMP supported startup is helping address climate change associated challenges through their SIMP platform that generates alternative protein for animal and human nutrition products, agricultural inputs, and personal care solutions. In 2024, String Bio received the Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) status, by FDA for their novel protein for use in crustacean feed in the U.S. and were selected for the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer 2024 cohort. They received the coveted Economic Times Top Innovator Award in 2023. In their series B follow-on-funding, they have raised approx. 160 Cr. INR (20 Mn. USD). String Bio has commercialised their crop nutrition inputs and alternative protein ingredients for animal nutrition sector. They have raised over 200 Cr. INR (24.4 Mn. USD) in total funding at a valuation of 1900 Cr. INR (229 Mn USD).

There is a steady rise in the global demand for protein, not just for human consumption but also for livestock, poultry, fish feed, pet food, and industries such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This growing need has intensified the search for alternative protein sources. Studies have shown that insect protein is a promising, scalable, and eco-friendly solution, to address this need while enhancing global food security. C-CAMP supported startup Loopworm’s insect-based products—LoopMeal, Loop Oil, and Loop Grubs—provide sustainable alternatives to conventional feed. The company has secured 28 Cr. INR (3.4 Mn. USD) in total funding, at a valuation of 78 Cr. INR (9.41 Mn USD). They were featured in the Forbes India 30 under 30, 2024 list and have secured the ISO 22000, GMP+, and HACCP certifications for LoopFactory, their 6,000-ton-per-year insect protein production unit in Bangalore.

It is estimated that 40% of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas without access to proper drinking water or good sanitation practices by 2035. While recycling wastewater might seem to be a solution, 44% of wastewater globally is not safely treated which leads to various diseases. C-CAMP supported startup Tellus Habitat has developed a R3H2O sewage treatment plant that is cost-efficient with 97% water recovery post treatment offering odourless, clean, clear, health-safe, disinfected water for usage in public toilets, community kitchens, industrial establishments, office and tech parks, etc. Their total recycled water includes 20+ million litres per year. The startup’s valuation stands at 1 million+ USD.