Event Overview

The Bio-Circular Innovation Sprint is a rapid ideation-based skill discovery event designed for Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology students. This event aims to identify "waste value" conversion opportunities and generate early-stage green innovation concepts that support circular economy thinking within the agri-food and bioprocess ecosystem.

Working in small, multidisciplinary teams, students will analyze a selected waste stream and propose a feasible biotechnological or food-processing pathway to convert it into a high-value product or functional intermediate. The event emphasizes concept clarity, sustainability-driven thinking, and discipline-specific innovation, encouraging participants to translate scientific knowledge into impactful, real-world solutions.

Objectives

• Bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industrial application through the lens of sustainability.

• Encourage students to view "waste" as a resource, promoting a circular economy within the agri-food and bioprocess sectors.

• Move theoretical concepts (minimum TRL 3) toward feasible, real-world biotechnological and food-processing pathways.

• Challenge participants to map complex waste streams and design viable conversion processes for high-value product creation.

• Provide a platform where students from biotechnology, food tech, Al, and business can collaborate to solve environmental and economic challenges.
  
  Prizes

  First Prize: 75,000 + Market Launch

  Second Prize: 3,000

  Third Prize: 22,000

  Beyond cash prizes, the students will get a unique market-entry opportunity under which winning products will be launched into the market by Rapture Biotech International (P)Ltd.

  Who can Participate?

  The Bio-Circular Innovation Sprint is designed for forward-thinking students eager to transform environmental challenges into sustainable solutions. We invite participants who meet the following criteria:

  • Graduating Students & Research Scholars: Exclusively open to all students enrolled in graduation with Engineering and Science background.

  • Team Composition: Participants must form teams of 2-4 members.

  • Interdisciplinary Encouragement: While the core focus is bio-innovation, we highly encourage teams to include members with diverse skill sets such as Business, Marketing, Data Science, Al, and Design to ensure a holistic project approach.

  • Commitment: Each student can be a member of only one team and contribute to a single project idea.

  Mode of Event

  Hybrid

  Schedule & Timeline

  • Phase :

  • Date: 13th Feb 2026 (Online)

  • Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

  • Phase I:

  • Date: 20th Feb 2026 (Offline)

  • Time: 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
    Key Benefits & Opportunities

    For the participants, this sprint will serve as a springboard for personal growth and development. This includes:

    • Engagement in a rapid ideation environment that tests your ability to innovate under pressure and think critically about sustainability.

    • Exposure to industry-standard expectations through feedback from Dr. Rohit Sharma and the expert panel from Rapture Biotech.

    • Benefit from the flexibility of an initial online screening (Phase I) followed by a high-energy, offline presentation (Phase II).

    • Compete for a prize pool of R10,000 and gain the prestige of being an "Innovfest 2026" winner.

    Unique Opportunities

    This event stands out by offering a direct pipeline from a student concept to a commercial shelf

    • Product launch of the first-place winner into the market by Rapture Biotech International (P) Ltd., providing an unparalleled entry into the industry.

    • Networking opportunity with representatives from Hanna Equipments (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Rapture Biotech, opening doors for potential internships, placements, or research collaborations.

    • Documentation of a full "waste-to-value" case study, serving as a powerful addition to a resume or academic portfolio.

    • Understanding the fundamentals of value creation and market viability to begin the journey of bio-ventures.

    Qualifying Rounds & Selection

    The competition is structured into two distinct phases, designed to filter the most viable and innovative

    "waste-to-value" concepts.

    Phase I: The Virtual Pitch (Qualifying Round)

    Date: 13th February 2026

    Mode: Online

    Format: Teams will present their initial Waste Mapping and Pathway Proposal. Selection criteria include:
    Problem Identification: Clarity of the selected waste stream (agri-industrial, food waste, or bioprocess byproduct).

  • Technical Feasibility: Initial viability of the proposed biotechnological or food-processing pathway (minimum TRL level 3).

  • Circular Mindset: How well the concept adheres to green innovation and sustainability.

  Successful teams from Phase I will be shortlisted for the Grand Finale.

  Phase Il: The Grand Finale (Final Selection)

  Date: 20th February 2026

  Mode: Offline (On-campus)

  Format: Shortlisted teams will present an in-depth proposal including value creation strategies and a roadmap for a functional intermediate or high-value product.

  Judging Panel: A jury comprising academic experts and industry leaders from Rapture Biotech

  International (P) Ltd.

  Final Evaluation: Focus on discipline-specific innovation, market readiness, and the potential for real-world application.

  Coordinator / Point of Contact Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology

  Name of Coordinator: Dr. Rohit Sharma

  Contact Number: 70181-26648

  Email: rohit.e15684@cumail.in

  Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Bio-Circular Innovation Sprint?

  It is a rapid ideation competition where students identify "waste value" opportunities. You will map a waste stream (like food waste or agri-byproducts) and propose a biotechnological or food-processing method to turn it into a high-value product.

  2. What is the eligibility criteria to participate?

  The competition is open to all graduating students and research scholars with an engineering or science background.

  3. What is the team size requirement?

  Teams must consist of two to four members.