Patna: Healthcare leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs gathered at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna this week for an entrepreneurship conclave aimed at accelerating India’s growing medical technology sector.
Organised by the AIIMS Patna Incubation and Innovation Council (APIIC), the Entrepreneurship Conclave 2026 brought together clinicians, researchers, investors and startups to explore how clinical expertise can be combined with technological innovation to develop scalable healthcare solutions.
The event was attended by Bihar’s industries minister Dilip Jaiswal, while Bindey Kumar, director of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, was present as guest of honour. It was hosted by Raju Agarwal, executive director and CEO of AIIMS Patna.
A key moment during the event was the inauguration of the APIIC centre, described by organisers as a milestone in strengthening Bihar’s role in India’s MedTech ecosystem. Senior faculty members and institutional leaders attended the opening, signalling broader support for innovation-led healthcare development.
The council was formally launched as an Inclusive Technology Business Incubator under the Department of Science and Technology’s NIDHI initiative, designed to support startups in transforming ideas into viable medical products. The initiative aligns with national programmes such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, which promote domestic manufacturing and self-reliance.
As part of the programme, the first group of “Ignition Grantees” was onboarded, receiving access to funding, mentorship and clinical validation through AIIMS Patna. Organisers said this support would help early-stage innovators refine and test their products within a real healthcare environment.
Two panel discussions examined key challenges facing startups, including access to funding, regulatory frameworks and intellectual property. Experts from the healthcare, legal and investment sectors discussed the policy landscape and compliance requirements for emerging MedTech ventures.
APIIC also outlined its broader support system, including seed funding, mentorship, regulatory guidance and connections with national funding agencies. A second call for applications from innovators and startups across India is expected to open in April.
Organisers described the conclave as part of a broader effort to position Bihar as an emerging hub for medical technology innovation, bringing together stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to encourage the development of locally driven solutions.
