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Dailymirror.news,HYDERABAD, November 15, 2025:Whale Tank (WT) Biocatalysts, a premier startup accelerator, successfully hosted its third annual Startup-Investor Meet, WT 3.0, at the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad. Held in strategic collaboration with the BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL (BIRAC), Government of India, the event reinforced the national commitment to the BioE3 mission by focusing on high-impact Deeptech innovation.
Fostering Investment in Critical Deep Science
WT 3.0 served as a crucial platform to catalyze funding for Deeptech startups spanning vital sectors, including Healthcare, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Food, and Agritech. Building on the momentum of previous editions, which collectively facilitated funding for over 100 startups, this year’s event saw two WT-incubated projects nearing major financial breakthroughs, progressing towards securing a substantial USD 500 million in investments.
“The WT event is a transformational platform in the Indian startup ecosystem for translating deep science into commercial success,” stated Dr. Uday Saxena, Co-Founder, Whale Tank Biocatalyst, emphasizing the platform’s role in bridging the gap between research and the market.
Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, Founder, Whale Tank BioCatalyst, noted the event’s scale: “Whale Tank 3.0 demonstrated the true strength of India’s Deep Tech ecosystem, bringing together over 73 shortlisted startups and 46 investors to accelerate breakthrough science.”
NexaSweet Launch and Government Focus
A significant highlight of WT 3.0 was the official launch of NEXASWEET, a pipeline product from a WT-incubated venture. This innovative, stem cell attractant-based sweetener is poised to offer critical health benefits, notably in healing and repairing gut inflammation. NEXASWEET represents one of the first products developed by a BIRAC-funded startup to move towards commercialization, underscoring the tangible results of the accelerator’s efforts.
Dr. Taranjit Kaur, the BIRAC/DBT representative, addressed the participants, stressing the vital importance of the BioE3 mission in driving India’s ambitious bio-economy goals. Further insight into the sector’s dynamics was provided by Prof. Reddanna, Executive President of FABA (Federation of Asian Biotechnology Association), who discussed critical success factors for biotech startups.
Robust Startup Quality and Industry Engagement
The event saw exceptional engagement, with 50 startups participating in dedicated pitching sessions and product kiosk presentations. Out of nearly 80 applications, 20 high-potential startups were selected for the main pitch, showcasing high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) across Healthcare, Medical, and Life Sciences.
The meet attracted high-profile attendance from CEOs and senior management from various Biotech and Pharma companies, including Shri Chakravarty (CII) and Rajaram Iyer (Laurus Labs). Key investors, including Shri Tarak Dhurjati, Dr. Ratnakar, Dr. Vijay, and Dr. Rolando, along with representatives from DBS Bank (Event Sponsor) and other VC firms, actively participated, reinforcing Whale Tank’s commitment to driving India’s leadership in global Deeptech innovation.
