Get to Know the 2017 GIA Finalists: BIRANO

Six ventures will compete in the Global Impact Award finals on Monday, October 23rd. Up to $50,000 will be awarded to one or more ventures.

Since the announcement of the 2017 finalists in April, all finalists have been paired up with industry mentors and have been polishing their pitches and Opportunity Summaries.  Each week leading up to the finals in October, we will introduce one finalist team individually. Check back each week for a new profile!

---

This week is all about…

BIRANO:

Industry: Fertilizer Total Number of Employees: Less than 10 When They Formed: 2016 Total Funding (as of September 2017): $100,000 What problem are you solving? Increased use of chemical fertilizer in the agricultural field and their low use efficiency, causes environmental pollution by fertilizer run off and cost more to farmers. Further, repeated use of excessive chemical fertilizer affect soil health and reduce the crop production. How do you solve the problem? BIRANO develops smart fertilizer having more than 80% use efficiency, thus reducing the run off and environmental pollution. Further, BIRANO’s smart fertilizer increases crop yield more than 50% than conventional fertilizer.  

About the Founding Team:

 

Ramesh Raliya

Founder I catalyze the concept to make smart fertilizer for precision & sustainable agriculture. Ramesh is a Research Scientist at Washington University in St. Louis’ School of Engineering and Applied Science. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology in 2006, a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology in 2008, and a PhD in Nanotechnology in 2012—all from Jai Narain Vyas University.    

What is your favorite part about being an entrepreneur?

Ramesh Raliya (RR): My most favorite part is the interaction with customers, farmers and fertilizer manufacturers. It helps me to tailor my research and thought process which bring an ultimate product to relieve the customer pain.  

What is the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?

RR: Proving your idea and product performance with limited resources, such as team, time and money.  

What is your #1 tip for building a strong team?

RR: Set the vision + determine skills + define strategy + trust  

What is your must-read book?

RR: Good to Great by Jim Collins My experiments with truth by MK Gandhi Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson  

What is your favorite entrepreneurial news source? 

RR: https://www.wsj.com/news/business https://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/blogging http://blog.samaltman.com/ http://www.ycombinator.com/    

---

Like what you see? Follow along BIRANO’s journey:

Facebook Twitter

---