How does agribusiness incubator help in technology commercialization and support the institute in achieving its mandates? Such a scenario calls for a change of perspective for the way institutes operates. The session will provide the institutes under NARS and others an overview on how business incubators help in not just technology transfer but also in generating revenues, protection of IPR, client interfacing and meeting their requirements and how agriculture can be viewed as a business entity.

1. Leveraging Agri Business Incubator for
Mobile Applications
Raghavendra Prasad
CEO, Wifin Technologies Pte Ltd
NIABI 2012, New Delhi

2. The Shaping
 Wifin is a boutique mobile apps company –
Nominated by NASSCOM as a “Showcase Company
for IT Innovation in India”
 Works with many leading global clients on cutting
edge technologies
 Promoters are IIT/ IIM/ Harvard guys – with no
idea of any “culture”, leave alone agriculture!
 One of them was an early entrant and earliest
quitter in agri business venture!

3. The mapping and sapping!
 ABI-ICRISAT appreciated our technology capability
 ABI suggested that we usher in this technology for
Indian farmers in a meaningful and relevant manner
 Studied the existing solutions, their fulfillment
strategies and gaps
 With ABI’s help, established some early funding and
failed forays, despite repeated attempts, with some
inquisitive customers with closed minds and wallets!

4. The lapping and capping!
 Today, thanks to ABI, we have the
 right technology solution that gives voice to the
farmer
 right business model
 right partnerships
 For knowledge
 For optimised technology costs
 For agri-extension services
 For input-output logistics
 For the first round funding
 We earnestly believe this could be revolutionary!

5. The tapping!
 It takes two to tango – partnerships and marriages are
always difficult, esp. after the honeymoon. Trust and
endurance are a must
 Believe in what you do, opportunities are immense
 Keep sharpening the saw
 Meet your partners more than half way after creating
win-win partnerships
 There is enough support around, you need to be
prepared to receive and leverage it – “Secrets” by Rhonda!

6. Thanks
rags@wifintech.com