People’s Festival of Innovations 2025
About PFoI 2025
The People’s Festival of Innovation 2025 ( PFoI 2025), the t fourth in the series being hosted by India International Centre, New Delhi is organized by GIAN and C-CAMP,Bengaluru. PfoI 2025, is a platform that catalyses the convergence of deep-tech and grassroots innovations from across India, focusing on affordable and inclusive solutions for unmet social needs. The Festival brings together innovators, startups, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, domain area professionals, academicians, investors, and policymakers to discuss the success stories, challenges, and future trends for taking these innovations forward to address local and global challenges.
Mentors
Dr. Renu Swarup
Former Secretary to Govt of India
Department of Biotechnology
Dr. Renu Swarup is the Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, and Former Chairperson of BIRAC. With over three decades at DBT, she played a pivotal role in shaping India’s National Biotechnology Strategy and promoting innovation-led growth through policy, research, and industry – academia collaboration. As the Founder Managing Director of BIRAC, she nurtured a thriving biotech innovation ecosystem supporting over 5000 startups and SMEs. Dr. Swarup is a Fellow of NASI, Vice Chair of ICARS (Copenhagen), and serves on key global health advisory boards, including the G7 Global Health Multistakeholder Group. Her contributions have earned her several national and international honours, including the BioSpectrum Person of the Year (2012), National Entrepreneurship Award (2017), and the Dr. B.S. Bajaj Memorial FABA Excellence Award (2023).
Prof. Anil Gupta
Founder, Honey Bee Network, SRISTI, GIAN & NIF
Visiting Faculty, IIMA & IITB, Academy Professor, AcSIR
Padmashree awardee, Dr. Anil K Gupta is a scholar in the area of grassroots innovation. He is the founder of Honey Bee Network, SRISTI, NIF & GIAN. Previously he was a full-time professor and currently he is a visiting faculty at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and at IIT Bombay. One of his most popular courses is Shodh Yatra. He holds the fellowship of, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Fellow, the World Academy of Art and Science, California 2001 and Fellow, INSA; AcSIR Academy professor.
Dr. Swati Basu
Former Scientific Secretary
O/o PSA
Dr. Swati Basu is the Former Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Government of India, and currently serves as a Scientific Consultant in the PSA, focusing on environment and climate sciences. She has previously served as Director, NCMRWF, and Advisor, Ministry of Earth Sciences, where she led major national initiatives in weather forecasting modernization and Earth system science programs. As Advisor in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, played pivotal role for successful implementation of various international agreements and policy decisions related to Earth system Science programs, Played crucial role in modernization of India Meteorological Department.
Dr Taslimarif Saiyed
CEO & Director
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP)
Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, the CEO and Director of C-CAMP, is a leading figure in neuroscience and innovation management. He holds a Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and completed postdoctoral training at UCSF, followed by experience as a Management Consultant in the Bay Area biotech sector. Trained in strategic management at UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and the Wharton School of Management, Dr. Saiyed combines deep scientific expertise with strong leadership acumen. At C-CAMP, he leads the Discovery to Innovation Accelerator program, fostering life science and healthcare innovations and enabling the translation of cutting-edge research into impactful technologies. His visionary leadership continues to drive India’s biotechnology ecosystem toward global excellence.
