Updated on: August 21st, 2021 6:17 PM

FIRST HUB

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for the startup ecosystem of India. Hence the Government of India has joined hands with BIRAC to offer support to startups. FIRST, (Facilitation of Innovation and Regulations for Start-ups and Innovators) HUB is created at BIRAC to resolve the queries of startups, entrepreneurs, researchers, academicians, incubation centres, SMEs etc. It brings stakeholders to a single platform and the FIRST HUB weekly sessions provide solution only for COVID-19 related queries. The current article briefs the FIRST HUB - Facilitation of Innovation and Regulation for Start-Ups and Innovators

 The objective of the FIRST HUB:

To promote government initiatives on Start-up India and Make in India, BIRAC has set up a Facilitation unit that will act as the FIRST HUB to address the queries of Startups, Entrepreneurs, Researchers, Academicians, Incubation Centers, SMEs etc. BIRAC a Public Sector Undertaking of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India

Services Offered by FIRST HUB:

The government of India is informed that First Hub will be open every first Friday of the Month at the BIRAC office from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Officers from DBT, BIRAC, ICMR, CDSCO, BIS, NIB and other relevant government organization will be available for taking queries related to the following:

• Mentorship
• Regulatory pathways and Regulation
• Funding opportunities
• Investment opportunities
• Market access
• Industry-Academia partnerships
• Intellectual Property

Application Procedure for FIRST HUB

Prior appointment is essential for filing queries at First Hub as only 5-6 Innovator slots are available. Innovators are requested to take prior appointment with details on Company Name, Address, Contact Details, Technology/ Innovation Summary, Stage of development and specific queries through online portal available at the official webpage of BIRAC. The entrepreneur needs to access the official web-page of Startup India - COVID Resource Section, from the homepage, click on the Caption. FIRST HUB - Startup Homepage The link will redirect to a new page. FIRST HUB - BIRAC By clicking on the Click here to apply for the First Hub option, the entrepreneur can submit the queries;

• Applicant Name
• Query For  FIRSTHUB@BIRAC/ COVID-19
• Applicant Type
• Mode of Communication
• Contact Details
• Details of Queries
• Technology/ Innovation Summary Details
• Stage of Development

FIRST HUB - Application By clicking on the Save option, queries will be sent to BIRAC and the First Hub team will contact startups/applicant through Video Conferencing. The Link will be Shared by BIRAC FIRST HUB - Application2