startup series
THE FIRST PROTOTYPE
developed the prototype
of the product, NinjaPCR
using his own money.
Unfortunately, without
any other means of
sustaining, now he is on
the verge of bankruptcy
and therefore looking for
opportunities of funding.
“I need to be able to raise
a couple of million rupees
over the next 6 months
to survive and take my
prototype to the product
level,” he says while being
optimistic about raising
considerable capital as he
has been shown interest
by investors recently.
32
BioVoiceNews | May 2017
Talking about challenges,
he says, “The primary
challenge so far has been
to find people who believe
in the ultimate mission
of engineering novel
organisms and reducing
the capital intensity of
biotechnology research.
I find that most people
in India have very little
idea about global trends
and are also very risk
averse when it comes to
cutting edge technology
and ideas.” However,
Ujjwal is very hopeful
about meeting potential
team mates with skills
in various engineering
disciplines like electrical,
mechanical and genetics.
Way forward
Currently I am the
whole and sole of
Kesar, says Ujjwal who
calls himself the Chief
Everything Officer.
Over the past one year,
he has taught himself
to design electronic
circuits, 3D modelling as
well as manufacturing
processes in the
industrial heartland
of Gurgaon.