C-CAMP Gets INR 500 Cr Under Centre’s RDI Fund to Support Deeptech Biotech Startups

The organisation has received an allocation of INR 500 crore (over USD 51 million) to support research-driven innovation and deeptech startups. C-CAMP is the only dedicated biotechnology organisation among the 19 Second Level Fund Managers announced by the government.

Established in 2009, C-CAMP aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry while promoting advanced life sciences research and deeptech startups. Through its work, the organisation supports the development of innovative technologies and solutions across sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, food security and environmental sustainability.

C-CAMP to Build a Consortium Worth Over INR 1,000 Crore

C-CAMP will collaborate with private-sector partners and investors to build a consortium worth more than INR 1,000 crore. The initiative will focus on supporting deeptech life sciences startups working on innovations in healthcare, agriculture, food security and environmental sustainability.

The funding will primarily target startups that have reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above. At this stage, technologies have moved beyond basic research and are being validated in laboratory environments or through early-stage testing. The initiative aims to help these startups advance their technologies while encouraging greater participation from private investors in India's deeptech ecosystem.

RDIF Aims to Strengthen India's Deeptech Ecosystem

The Research, Development and Innovation Fund was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 1, 2025, with a total corpus of INR 1 lakh crore. The fund aims to strengthen research, development and innovation by improving access to capital for technology-driven businesses and supporting the development of advanced technologies in India.

So far, the RDIF has supported 22 startups through direct project funding. Two of these are part of C-CAMP's portfolio: Eyestem Research and Peptris Technologies. C-CAMP's selection as a Focused Research Organisation is expected to strengthen its role in supporting science-led businesses and bringing research innovations closer to commercial application.

Focus on Mobilising Private Investment

Taslimarif Saiyed, Director and CEO of C-CAMP, said the organisation aims to use the allocation not only to support startups at TRL 4 and above but also to encourage greater private investment in the deeptech ecosystem.

He noted that attracting additional private capital is aligned with the core objectives of the RDI initiative. By working with investors and private-sector partners, C-CAMP aims to help deeptech life sciences startups access the funding needed to advance their technologies and expand their impact across critical sectors.

The initiative is expected to support the growth of India's life sciences innovation ecosystem by connecting research capabilities, entrepreneurial talent and investment capital. Through the proposed consortium, C-CAMP will seek to help promising startups move their technologies towards wider adoption and commercial deployment.