Microbial Formulations
Microbes for plant growth promotion and pollutant degradation, for use in agriculture and bioremediation.
AgricultureBioremediation
Arsh Shrikant
Chavan
Building ventures.
Educating entrepreneurs.
Mentoring innovators.
Founder & Director of Biofound Biotech, entrepreneurship educator and startup mentor. I work where science, business and learning meet.
science
IISER · INSERM · IIT-B · NCBS
venture
Biofound Biotech
classroom
Lectures · Workshops · Mentoring
§ 01 · In short
My work brings together three things: building a science-driven startup, teaching entrepreneurship, and helping new founders find their footing. At Biofound Biotech, I turn biotechnology research into solutions for real problems. In classrooms and workshops, I help people learn to spot problems, test ideas and create impact.
entrepreneurship is a way of thinking, not only a company.
§ 02 · Three roles, one practice
each one feeds the others ↺
What I work on
01 /
Founder & Innovator
Building Biofound Biotech: science-driven work in biotechnology, sustainable production and microbial innovation.
Explore Biofound → 02 /Entrepreneurship Educator
Teaching entrepreneurship and innovation through courses, workshops, lectures and hands-on projects.
Education & workshops → 03 /Startup Mentor & Innovation Catalyst
Helping aspiring founders shape ideas, test assumptions and take the next practical step.
Mentoring & collaboration →
§ 03 · Founder & Innovator
Building Biofound Biotech
I founded Biofound to take microbial science out of the lab and into agriculture, food and the environment. As Founder & Director, I work across research, product and partnerships, and the day-to-day problems of turning an experiment into a venture.
approach: start from a real problem, test small, let the data decide.Natural Vanillin
Converting agricultural waste into natural vanillin through microbial processes, with uses across food, beverage and cosmetics.
Food & beverageCosmetics
Results and claims are published only once validated
Explore Biofound ↗
§ 04 · Entrepreneurship Educator
Making entrepreneurship practical and accessible
I teach entrepreneurship by tying each concept to a real decision. As visiting faculty and a workshop facilitator, I help students spot opportunities, validate ideas and sketch their first business models, using examples from building my own startup.
Who I teach
School students
College & university students
BBA / MBA students
Aspiring entrepreneurs
Innovation program participants
Topics I can teach
pick any →- 01Entrepreneurship fundamentals
- 02Idea generation & validation
- 03Business model development
- 04Startup basics
- 05Design thinking
- 06Innovation & problem-solving
- 07Science entrepreneurship
- 08Funding & grants
- 09Pitch decks & pitching
- 10The early-stage startup journey
§ 05 · Startup Mentor & Innovation Catalyst
Supporting aspiring founders & innovators
Questions every early founder asks
- Q1Is the problem worth solving?
- Q2Who is the customer?
- Q3How should the idea be tested?
- Q4What should be done first?
Early ventures start with more questions than answers. I help founders work through them with structured thinking, quick validation and clear next steps, drawing on what I've learned building Biofound and teaching entrepreneurship.
Where I can help
Discuss a mentoring opportunity →
Mentoring is guidance from founder experience. It isn't legal, financial or other regulated advice, and it doesn't guarantee funding.
Early-stage idea exploration
Problem validation
Business models
Startup fundamentals
Pitch deck feedback
Grant & funding readiness
Science & tech entrepreneurship
Innovation programs
Student projects
§ 06 · About
A scientist by training. A founder by practice. An educator by choice.
I trained as a scientist at IISER Pune and did research at IAME INSERM in Paris, IIT Bombay and NCBS Bangalore. Biofound grew out of wanting that research to reach real problems.
Teaching came next: showing students and early founders what building a venture actually involves. I work by experiment, try things small, and stay honest about uncertainty. That's what I try to teach, too.
Download CV ↓- EducationBS-MS dual degree, IISER PuneFoundation in the sciences
- ResearchMaster's thesis, IAME INSERM ParisResearch abroad
- ResearchIIT Bombay & NCBS BangaloreResearch and internships
- VentureFounder & Director, Biofound BiotechMicrobial solutions for agriculture, food and environment
- TeachingVisiting Faculty, MIT-WPUEntrepreneurship for MBA & BBA students
- EcosystemMentor, speaker & jury memberStartup programs and innovation communities
§ 07 · Evidence
Experience, recognition & milestones
- Founder & DirectorBiofound BiotechRole
- Visiting FacultyMIT-WPURole
- NIDHI EIR FellowshipEntrepreneur-in-ResidenceProgram
- TiE BizQuoTiEntTiE Pune ChapterAward
- TiE GlobalSemi-finalistAward
- EarthON Climate ChampionsClimate innovationAward
- Impact Quest ProgramVenture programProgram
- Benspark IdeathonRecognitionAward
- ClimateLaunchpad AfricaRegional FinalsJury
§ 08 · Collaborate
Let's build something meaningful
Schools & colleges
Entrepreneurship workshops, innovation programs, guest lectures and student mentoring.
Invite me to your institution →Incubators & startup programs
Startup mentoring, program participation, founder guidance and jury or evaluation roles.
Discuss a program collaboration →Founders & aspiring entrepreneurs
Early-stage guidance, idea validation, business model feedback and startup learning.
Explore mentoring →Organizations & events
Talks, workshops, panels and innovation sessions focused on entrepreneurship.
Invite me to speak →Let's talk.
Workshops, lectures, mentoring, jury roles or something new. Tell me what you have in mind.
Collaboration enquiry
FORM 01
Thank you, noted.
I'll reply to soon.