TechSprouts by Ankur Capital

Computation and AI: Building AI platforms with a deep tech approach

Building a sector-specific AI platform, and in particular in a complex field like agriculture, is an involved journey. In this episode, we discuss the nuances of building such a platform at Cropin [https://www.cropin.com/], a global pioneer in ag-intelligence and a company we’ve been proud to back. Join this discussion with Sujit Janardanan, chief marketing & customer officer at Cropin and Praveen Pankajakshan, head of Cropin AI Labs. Subscribe to TechSprouts [https://www.ankurcapital.com/techsprouts], an initiative by Ankur Capital [https://www.ankurcapital.com/] to decipher deep science innovations and build the ecosystem in India to bring disruptive technologies from lab to market. Check out our recently published India Deep Science Tech Report [http://ankurcapital.com/reports/india-deep-science-tech-report] (0:39) The India Deep Science Tech Report (2:51) Praveen and Sujit’s journeys (7:51) The journey to create the Cropin Cloud platform (13:33) Building a deep tech AI platform at Cropin (18:58) Maintaining differentiation and creating a moat around cutting-edge AI (25:29) How to keep up with rapid progress in the field of AI

Computation and AI: Next-Gen Materials Discovery

Discovering new materials with innovative properties is key for a sustainable future. In this episode, we discuss the integration of computation-based approaches and machine learning/AI in material science research with Dr. Abhishek Singh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhishek-singh-5823949/], a professor at the Indian Institute of Science and the Founder/CEO of SciDentAI. Subscribe⁠ [https://www.ankurcapital.com/techsprouts] to ⁠TechSprouts⁠ [https://www.ankurcapital.com/techsprouts], an initiative by⁠ Ankur Capital⁠ [https://www.ankurcapital.com/] to decipher deep science innovations and build the ecosystem in India to bring disruptive technologies from lab to market. Show notes: (2:00) Overview of the trajectory of research in material science (6:00) Introduction of computational techniques and machine learning in material science (10:00) Impact of computation and machine learning on material science research (14:00) Application of computational techniques in industry, particularly materials development (17:00) Role of computational design in climate change mitigation efforts (20:00) Examples of new materials discovered using computational design (23:00) Discussion on the role of startups in the materials discovery space (26:00) Explanation of hybrid scientific AI models and their applications (29:00) SciDent AI

Computational Biology: The Next Frontier- Dr. Debarka Sengupta

Computation and AI has grown by leaps and bounds in recent times to become the backbone of Industry 4.0, and there is no looking back. Computational solutions are becoming commonplace and a matter of routine across the board. Listen to Dr. Debarka Sengupta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarka-sengupta-3607517/], Associate Professor at IIIT-Delhi and head of the Infosys Center for Artificial Intelligence, as he talks about his journey in computational biology. Starting from a background in physics, Dr. Sengupta achieved pioneering breakthroughs in single cell genomics and big data algorithms.  We also explore various up-and-coming themes in the field, such as the black-box nature of some learning algorithms, federated learning, and the need for specific solutions to Indian problems. Subscribe [https://www.ankurcapital.com/techsprouts] to TechSprouts [https://www.ankurcapital.com/techsprouts], an initiative by Ankur Capital [https://www.ankurcapital.com/] to decipher deep science innovations and build the ecosystem in India to bring disruptive technologies from lab to market. Discussed in this episode: (00:00) Introduction (03:17) Fascination with biology and its mysteries. (07:50) Computational biology is essential. (14:30) Deep learning still faces challenges.  (20:40) Focus on simple innovations first (how to solve the challenges).  (26:52) Data integration is key.  (35:39) Leverage strengths, solve local problems.  (43:33) Invest in practical health tech.  (46:36) Government initiatives improving science funding.

Synthetic Biology: Winds of change in agriculture with Yara Growth Ventures

Agriculture practices are undergoing a significant shift with new technologies in agri-inputs such as fertilizers, growth supplements and pesticides and advanced seed development with climate resistance taking prominence. The next decade will be crucial in the fight towards climate change and solving the food security crisis. In this conversation with Yara Growth Ventures [https://www.yaragrowthventures.com/], Ritu Verma [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritu-verma-3906261/] from Ankur Capital [https://www.ankurcapital.com/] along with Dr. Björn Heinz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjoernheinz/] and George Crane [https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgecrane1/] take us through the winds of change in agriculture and the advent of synthetic biology. Yara Growth Ventures is the corporate venture capital team for Yara International ASA [https://www.yara.com/] (a world leading crop nutrition and agriculture company). TechSprouts [https://www.ankurcapital.com/techsprouts] is an initiative by Ankur Capital decipher deep science innovations and build the ecosystem in India to bring disruptive technologies from lab to market. Discussed in this episode: 00:00:00 Introduction to TechSprouts by Ankur Capital 00:00:14 Exploring Synthetic Biology and Its Potential to Transform Agriculture 00:08:26 Agricultural Technology Investment Opportunities 00:19:22 Challenges of Consistency with Biological Inputs in the Agritech Space 00:34:13 Proactive Lobbying for Positive Regulations and Working with Startups

Synthetic Biology: Challenges in Scale Up- Subramani Ramachandrappa

We are entering the third decade of synthetic biology. Many synbio products are either commercialized or on the verge of commercialization. However, scaling up the production while achieving price parities will require innovation in the processes and unit operations involved. Listen to Subramani Ramachandrappa, founder of Laurus Bio (formerly Richcore Lifesciences) and Fermbox talk about the challenges and potential solutions in the scale up of synthetic biology solutions. Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/subramani-ramachandrappa-7179b82/ Website: https://fermbox.bio/ TechSprouts: https://www.ankurcapital.com/techsprouts