Startup Eco-System in Maps and Ayush Sector 

Incubation Centre at RCFC NR-1: Fostering Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Medicinal Plant Sector

Incubation centers play a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship, nurturing innovation, and supporting startups as they develop and scale their businesses. By providing the right infrastructure, mentorship, and access to capital, incubation centers create a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to succeed. Regional Cum Facilitation Centre for Northern Region-1 (RCFC NR-1) in Himachal Pradesh is one of these key hubs, focusing on the medicinal plant sector and AYUSH, with a specific emphasis on supporting local communities, traditional knowledge, and farmers engaged in cultivating and collecting medicinal plants.

RCFC NR-1 is one of the 12 incubation centers in Himachal Pradesh dedicated to promoting startups within the medicinal plant sector and AYUSH. The center offers facilities, infrastructure, and professional guidance to entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable products and processes. The core mission of RCFC NR-1 is to support new ventures that align with the unique needs and resources of the region, emphasizing sustainable practices, and product development, from testing and licensing to full-scale production.

Success Stories

The incubation center has successfully fostered several startups, some of which have already made a significant impact in the market. During 2020-21, seven startups registered with RCFC NR-1, with two achieving market success through commercialized products.

Divine Himalayas

Divine Himalayas, founded by Jatin Behal, is an innovative startup specializing in manufacturing and ecommerce retail, focusing on medicinal products, herbs, and honey. The goal is to promote the local medicinal heritage of Himachal Pradesh while supporting indigenous tribes and local farmers. Divine Himalayas packages and markets unique products indigenous to the Himalayas, creating a niche market for these goods. By integrating Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into business operations, Divine Himalayas supports local communities, preserving traditional knowledge and providing additional income for local farmers.

Holistic Himalayas

Holistic Himalayas, founded by Mohammad Riyaz, specializes in herb-infused fermented and nonfermented beverages, herbal extracts, and tinctures. Since its establishment in 2021, the company has experienced significant growth, with an annual turnover of 27 lacs. Through collaboration with RCFC NR-1, Holistic Himalayas has validated Ayurvedic formulations using modern microbiological techniques, standardizing its production processes to achieve commercial success.

Current Incubatees

RCFC NR-1 continues to support new startups. Here are some of the current incubatees:

  • New Gen Thela: Founded by Sarthak Bhardwaj, this startup aims to standardize street food cart environments while introducing Ayurvedic junk food as a product.
  • Wellness Secrets: Founded by Jonu Bala, this startup focuses on herbal infusions based on Ayurvedic decoctions.
  • Saraji Chai: Soma Devi’s startup creates herbal tea blends with medicinal properties based on traditional knowledge.
  • Asparagus Racemosus: Bishrutee Bhardwaj works on developing a nutraceutical product from Asparagus racemosus fresh roots.
  • Vishav Poojita Tulsi & Other Products: Pooja Chauhan’s startup is centered around developing Tulsi-based products.
  • Bharat AYUSH: A platform for Certification of Herb Collectors and Healers and Trading Support by Taranjeet Bhanwra 

Mentorship and Guidance

RCFC NR-1 provides comprehensive mentorship and guidance to its incubatees. Under the guidance Team RCFC NR-1, the center offers expertise in various domains, including product development, commercialization strategies, and market research. This support is essential for startups to navigate the complexities of the medicinal plant sector and achieve long-term success.

The incubation center aims to align with national initiatives like Startup India, Ministry of AYUSH schemes, MSME Incubation Support, Technology Business Incubation Support of DST, and Atal Incubation Scheme of NITI Aayog. By leveraging these frameworks, RCFC NR-1 can harness additional resources, offering royalty-based agreements for mentored projects. Furthermore, the recently introduced license category under FSSAI AYUSH AHAR opens new avenues for technologydriven startups, fostering a broader scale of innovation in the medicinal plant sector.

RCFC NR-1 is a crucial catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation in the medicinal plant sector, supporting startups with the infrastructure and mentorship needed to succeed. Through these efforts, the center is not only contributing to the local economy but also helping to preserve traditional knowledge and create sustainable livelihoods for local farmers and communities. By aligning with national initiatives and leveraging emerging opportunities, RCFC NR-1 is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the medicinal plant and AYUSH sectors.