The Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has announced a new leadership structure aimed at strengthening its work in research, innovation and technology-based entrepreneurship. Omprakash Subbarao has been appointed as the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Under the new model, Subbarao will oversee FSID’s operations and external engagements, while Prof Suryasarthy Bose, Professor-in-Charge, will provide institutional oversight and serve as the link between FSID and IISc.

An IISc alumnus, Subbarao has worked across technology, industry, public digital infrastructure and innovation. Before becoming CEO, he served as CEO of CORE Labs at FSID, where he worked on research and innovation collaborations connecting scientific expertise with industry requirements.FSID’s activities are centred on two areas—innovation and incubation. Through these initiatives, the organisation seeks to support the translation of scientific research into practical applications and provide an environment for developing technology-focused startups.

The organisation has also been expanding opportunities for collaboration between researchers, companies and startups through its Innovation Hub (iHUB). The facility provides research and development laboratories for industry partners and infrastructure for incubated startups. BEML, Toyo Ink and Schaeffler are among the companies that have established research facilities or workspaces at iHUB.

For students, researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs, such initiatives can provide opportunities to engage with applied research, technology development and innovation beyond the academic laboratory. Industry-linked projects can also expose researchers to practical challenges and the process of developing technologies for wider use.