Honeywell has announced a new partnership with the Society for Innovation and Development (SID) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) through its philanthropic arm, Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF). The partnership of IISc and Honeywell Partner to Boost Indian Startups will focus on enabling deep-science startups in India. Honeywell’s Startup Support Program fills the incubation-to-seed funding gap while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in science-based startups to solve major societal issues.
Deep-Science Innovation
Given the Honeywell-IISc partnership since 2019, almost 30 startups have received support from this collaboration. These include biotechnology, health, and nanotechnology-based companies. In fact, more are led by women or from underrepresented groups. Azooka Labs, Theranautilus, and Equine Biotech alone have, after three years, developed novel solutions impacting health.
These efforts towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) include developing energy, water conservation, and health care solutions through medical technology.
Fill Funding and Collaboration Gaps
SID collaborates with HHSIF to provide technical support, infrastructure, and seed funding. In the last round of funding, nine startups and three EIR projects were supported; ventures embrace MedTech, sustainable packaging, and energy solutions.
For example, MagHeals Pvt Ltd has developed a nanotechnology-based therapy that lessens the side effects of anticancer drugs. Moreover, Reti Ecotech recycles textile waste into strong construction material, and NatureWrks Technologies produces biodegradable packaging to avoid plastic pollution.
Prof B Gurumoorthy, CEO of SID, emphasized the need to support deep-science startups that face the technical challenges of complex issues. He said Honeywell’s funding provides the necessary resources to convert innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
Mentorship and Market Readiness
Honeywell also offers expert mentorship to help startups scale and innovate. This guidance addresses specific challenges, preparing teams to bring their solutions to the market. Pooja Thakran, Director of HHSIF, emphasizes how supporting deep-science startups strengthens India’s research ecosystem and fosters technological advancements for global challenges.
Promoting Women in Science
The program also focuses on women’s empowerment through science. For instance, under the IISc Entrepreneurship-in-Residence program, it opens doors for underrepresented entrepreneurs. On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Honeywell reaffirmed its commitment to enabling groundbreaking solutions through diverse leadership.
A Transformational Partnership
Honeywell-IISc sets India’s deep-science startups up as the leaders in this sustainable innovation. The program brings funding, mentorship, and resources to support the startup in solving bigger global challenges while creating an accessible, technology-driven future.
Cross-section Impact in Key Sectors
Honeywell’s Startup Support Program is now clearly impacting healthcare, energy, and sustainable packaging. Startups such as MagHeals are innovating new cancer treatments that eradicate many toxic side effects commonly associated with traditional therapies. For example, through the transformation of textile waste into durable construction materials, Reti Ecotech addresses two vital challenges: environment and housing. NatureWrks Technologies is fighting plastic waste with biodegradable packaging that stimulates eco-friendly packaging alternatives in everyday use.
These are examples of the company’s commitment to pressing global issues through local innovation. Through its diverse startup, Honeywell is creating a thriving ecosystem that deeply combines science with practical, scalable solutions.
Building a Resilient Innovation Ecosystem
The partnership with IISc ensures that startups have access to world-class research infrastructure, technical guidance, and expert mentorship. This support enables startups to move beyond conceptual stages and create products and services that can scale globally.
This further ensures diversity, which helps underrepresented communities, such as the presence of women and individuals from marginalized groups, find a platform to lead transformative innovations. That only adds to making India a global leader in sustainable and impact-driven technology development.
Call to Action for Innovators
For us, deep-science entrepreneurship creates opportunities like Honeywell’s Startup Support Program, which gets the former pretty close to their objective of transforming the world for the better. If you are such a visionary founder working towards truly groundbreaking innovations, come and join FounderLabs’s community of changemakers.
Our platform connects startups with the necessary resources, mentorship, and funding for scale impact. In developing cutting-edge technologies or achieving change globally, we’re here to help you make your vision a reality.
Begin your journey with FounderLabs today. With us, let’s create solutions for a better future.
