La Trobe University highlights startup innovation at Bengaluru Tech Summit in partnership with the Bangalore Bio Innovation Corridor

La Trobe University has highlighted its support for startups at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, in partnership with the Bangalore Bio Innovation Corridor. 

The university’s IGNITE Lab and Ind-Aus LaunchPad schemes are also supported by the Government of Karnataka and aim to provide Indian founders with a pathway for international expansion.

“Our global India-Australia program was launched in 2024 by Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell, it is already transforming how Indian startups access international markets. This year, through our 12-week pre-accelerator and the IGNITE Lab immersion, we helped deep-tech founders build market understanding, sharpen their strategy and directly engage with experts across Australia,” Dr Cerasela Tanasescu, Director of La Trobe Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said at the event. 

“It’s a practical, high-impact pathway for global scaling and long-term success. Going global requires far more than readiness, it demands market understanding, strategic integration and real validation. Through our innovation centre in Melbourne, we provide targeted mentoring and market pathways to help Indian startups strengthen their capabilities and accelerate their international growth.”

Mohammed Yashik B, Co-founder and COO, Livolita, which has been supported by the IGNITE Lab, adds: “As an early-stage startup, having structured access to mentors, networks and market insights through La Trobe University and the Bangalore Bio Innovation Corridor was invaluable. It connected us to people and opportunities we couldn’t reach alone.”

Microbeworks, a Bengaluru-based company developing microbial dyes as alternatives to highly polluting synthetic colorants, has also benefited from the IGNITE Labs scheme. Suchitha Raghunathan, CEO of Microbeworks, adds: “Winning the LaunchPad confirmed that our direction is strong. La Trobe University’s corridor with the Bangalore Bio Innovation Corridor connected us with leaders in Melbourne who meaningfully shaped our strategic thinking. The 12-week masterclasses strengthened how we approach scaling, fundraising and research. Since then, interest from investors, partners and potential customers has grown significantly, the program has opened real market opportunities.

“Cross-country collaboration always amplifies innovation. Building this corridor between India and Australia strengthens ideas, teams and impact.”