About us
About VFIRST
A research and innovation organisation dedicated to advancing scientific research, technological development, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer.
Company profile
Who we are
Vijnan Foundation for Innovation, Research in Science & Technology (VFIRST) is a research and innovation organisation dedicated to advancing scientific research, technological development, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer.
VFIRST is recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO) by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, and as a Host Institute under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.
Through collaborative research, technology development, incubation-related activities, skill development and industry partnerships, VFIRST aims to help translate innovative ideas into validated technologies, intellectual property, enterprises and solutions with societal value.
A knowledge-driven, sustainable society
To contribute to a knowledge-driven and sustainable society by advancing scientific research, technology innovation and collaboration.
- Promote interdisciplinary, application-oriented research and development.
- Encourage the development and validation of useful technologies and prototypes.
- Build collaboration among academia, research organisations, industry, government and innovators.
- Support innovation, entrepreneurship, technical training and knowledge transfer.
- Apply science and technology to environmental, agricultural, public-health and infrastructure challenges.
Science connected to practical needs
We connect scientific enquiry with practical needs, with emphasis on evidence, collaboration, indigenous technology development, sustainability, scalability and appropriate pathways to deployment and commercialisation.
Business background
Our journey
Registered in Udupi in 2018, Vijnan Foundation is today a government-recognised research organisation with incubation, training and industry partnerships across coastal Karnataka.
Our work has applied remote sensing and GIS to public-health problems — mapping dengue, chikungunya and malaria in Dakshina Kannada under projects sponsored by the Department of Health Research (ICMR) — alongside groundwater, soil and terrain information systems for Udupi district.
Registered office
Ramana Layout, Chandu Maidan, Udupi
R&D unit
NITK Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Park (STEP), Surathkal
Rural incubation centre
Bellare village, Sullia taluk — supported by the Ministry of MSME
Urban incubation centre
MAPS College, Airport Road, Maravoor, Mangaluru
- 5 May 2018
Foundation registered
Vijnan Foundation registered as a trust in Udupi.
- 21 Oct 2019
Knowledge partner of MSME
MoU signed with the Product and Process Development Centre (PPDC) at the MSME Development Institute, New Delhi.
- 2019 onwards
Annual GIS Day seminars
Held every year at Udupi and NITK-STEP Surathkal in technical association with the Foundation.
- 13 Jun 2020
DSIR recognition
Recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO).
- 6 Apr 2021
MSME incubation recognition
Recognised under the Ministry of MSME for entrepreneurship incubation.
- Sep–Nov 2021
Four MSME programmes
Industrial Motivation Courses, a Management Development Programme and an Enterprise Skill Development Programme.
- 2021
Malaria GIS models
Malaria case maps for Mangalore villages and Dakshina Kannada district under a DHR Grant-in-Aid project.
Expertise
Eight interdisciplinary research areas
Core technologies combined with applications in environment, health, agriculture and infrastructure.
AI & Machine Learning
Predictive analytics, deep learning, computer vision and AI-based decision support.
IoT & Smart Technologies
Connected sensors, embedded systems, edge computing and smart monitoring.
GIS & Remote Sensing
Satellite analysis, spatial modelling, environmental and climate-risk mapping.
Advanced & Quantum Sensors
Quantum, optical and environmental sensors, biosensors and sensor fusion.
Water & Environment
Water-quality monitoring, pollution detection and early-warning systems.
Smart Agriculture
Precision agriculture, soil nutrient analysis, IoT irrigation and agricultural GIS.
Digital & Public Health
Health monitoring, health-risk assessment and public-health analytics.
Climate & Sustainability
Climate-risk assessment, disaster resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
Services
What we offer
Geospatial, research and training services for government, industry, institutions and startups.
Geoinformatics training
Courses in GIS, remote sensing, open-source GIS, smart cities, public health, disaster management and IPR — from 3-day introductions to 5-day software training.
Geospatial database development
Needs assessment, GIS architecture, data capture and conversion, migration, database design, deployment and post-deployment support.
Public health using GIS
Spatial epidemiological modelling, disease mapping and surveillance, healthcare access assessment and location-allocation modelling.
Spatial information systems
Web-GIS information systems for agriculture, public health, villages, tourism, groundwater, soil and disaster information.
GIS software & image processing
IGiS software and training, and image processing for aerial, satellite, optical, microwave, LiDAR, stereo and GPR imagery.
3D modelling & photogrammetry
DEM/DTM/DSM processing, contours, volume calculation, 3D change detection, slope, aspect and hillshade analysis.
Smart city & utility applications
GIS-supported network engineering, provisioning and solution development across wired and wireless networks.
Sponsored & collaborative R&D
Sponsored, collaborative, industry and translational research — from concept to prototype, validation and technology transfer.
Incubation & startup support
Idea development, mentoring, proof-of-concept support and access to MSME schemes through our approved business incubator.
Training programmes
- Basics of Geoinformatics3 days
- Remote-sensing software-specific training5 days
- GIS software-specific training5 days
- Geospatial Technologies for Smart Cities5 days
- Geoinformatics for Public Health3 days
- Geoinformatics for Natural Resource Management3 days
- Geoinformatics for Ecology and Environment3 days
- Geoinformatics for Disaster Management3 days
- Geoinformatics for Telecom Management3 days
- Open-source GIS4 days
- Intellectual Property and Patent Information5 days
Please enquire for current schedules, delivery mode, fees and certification.
Leadership
Managing committee
Scientists and specialists in geo-informatics, physics, space technology, intellectual property and environmental science.
Dr B. Naveenchandra
PhD, M.S., M.Sc., PGDOM · Geo-informatics, telecom and public-health GIS specialist
Dr Francis Andrade
PhD, M.Sc., MBA · IPR, telecom and environment specialist
Dr Asha Bhat
PhD, M.Sc. · Physics and intellectual property rights
Dr Nagesh S.K.
PhD, M.Sc. · Physics; Project Director (Retd.), ISRO — spacecraft system integration, antenna testing and project management
Dr H. Gangadhara Bhat
PhD, M.Sc., M.Phil. · Geo-informatics, geology and water resources
Research team
Dr Shannon Pinto (Research Associate), Ms Dhanya (GIS Analyst), Mr Goraknath Shetty (GIS Consultant); mentors Dr (Prof.) Suchethakumari Rai and Mr Dinesh Kumar Alva.
Work with us
Have a project or training need?
Tell us what you are working on and we will get back to you.
Quick links
Services
Get in touch
Vijnan FoundationB-5, Ramana Layout, Chandu Maidan, 1st Cross
Udupi 576101, Karnataka, India