(September 25, 2024) In a world where talented professionals often choose to settle abroad or in India’s metropolitan hubs, Bibhuti Bikramaditya made an unconventional decision – to return to Bihar and establish his own startup. After a few years of working in South Korea’s advanced semiconductor industry, Bibhuti faced a choice – to continue his career in a flourishing global market or bring his expertise back to his home state, a place many see as lacking in opportunities. He chose the latter, determined to contribute to Bihar’s growth, he dipped his toes into entrepreneurship.
His decision proved significant during the COVID-19 crisis when he developed the first-of-its-kind Smart Pulse Oximeter integrated with an infrared thermometer, offering critical health monitoring to patients. This innovation, born out of his IIT-Patna incubated startup, not only filled a significant gap in India’s healthcare system but also demonstrated the potential for high-tech solutions to emerge from unexpected regions like Bihar.
“Our Smart Pulse Oximeter became the first Indian oximeter integrated with IR thermometer, and was installed in all districts of Bihar; in the government telemedicine centres,” the entrepreneur who is a native of Sitamarhi district tells in an interview with Global Indian, adding, “Development of this medical device is just our first step. We are working on semiconductor integration of various other medical electronics devices.”
Bibhuti Bikramaditya
Contributing in India’s Semiconductor Mission
The entrepreneur is soon going to release a portable health care and ICU monitoring device. “This portable device will function as an ICU monitoring tool during catastrophic events like earthquakes, floods, or building collapses when ICU facilities are needed in emergency shelters and relief zones,” he informs.
In addition to serving as an emergency care facilitator, the device will also function as a health monitoring tool for patients recently discharged from the ICU. “It will also be a convenient homecare device for elderly patients with multiple health issues such as blood pressure, diabetes, BMI, SPO2, heart rate, and breathing problems. They can even undergo ECG tests and use a digital stethoscope, all within a single integrated device,” he explains.
Bikramaditya’s initiatives in the sphere of semiconductors align with the vision of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) within the Digital India Corporation, which focuses on making India a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. Semiconductors, often called the ‘brain’ of modern electronics, are materials that control electrical current in devices, enabling everything from smartphones to advanced medical equipment. By establishing a semiconductor-driven initiative in Bihar, Bikramaditya is contributing to an inclusive ecosystem in India’s tech industry, bringing this critical innovation to a state often overlooked in the national technology landscape.
Sydney’s University of Technology team during a product exhibition of Smart Pulse Oximeter at IIT Patna Incubation Centre
International collaboration
Recognising the potential of his startup, which focuses on solution-based medical products, Smartway Electronics was named one of the top five semiconductor startups in India by NXP, a Dutch company and global leader in semiconductor solutions. With headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands, it is the third largest European semiconductor company by market capitalization as of 2024, and has provided the Bihar-based startup mentorship through its accelerator programme. “NXP has also decided to give a limited financial support to Smartway,” Bikramaditya informs.
Smartway Electronics has also collaborated with IIT Hyderabad’s FabCi as its R&D and semiconductor development partner, and is associated with Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre.
Playing his part during the pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world faced unprecedented challenges, especially in healthcare. As oxygen levels became a critical health marker for patients, pulse oximeters became a life-saving tool. But India faced a shortage of locally manufactured, high-quality medical devices during this time. Bibhuti Bikramaditya, with an academic and professional background in electronics and nanotechnology, saw an opportunity to step up.
His innovation, the Smart Pulse Oximeter addressed a major gap. Unlike traditional oximeters, his device came integrated with an infrared thermometer, combining the ability to measure oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, and body temperature in one compact tool. This was especially useful during the pandemic when patients needed continuous monitoring. Its features included an OLED screen for immediate readings, Bluetooth-enabled mobile data storage, and the ability to share results via WhatsApp or email. Moreover, it allowed healthcare professionals to access patient data remotely through a web server – ensuring timely medical interventions.
This effort was lauded. Not only did this innovation save lives, but it also contributed to India’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) and Make in India.
Launch of Smart Oximeter at AIIMS Patna
The innovative device was soft launched at a ceremony at AIIMS Patna, in the presence of Dr Prabhat Kumar Singh, the then Director of AIIMS Patna and Joseph Paul Ackerman, Manager of the Incubation Centre at IIT Patna.
“We have been working towards an MoU with a Canadian pharmaceutical company to sell this product in various countries around the world,” remarks Bikramaditya, talking about the future plans.
From Korea to Bihar
With over 22 years of experience in the electronics industry, including a significant stint in South Korea working in semiconductor design for a sister concern of Samsung Electronics, Bibhuti Bikramaditya returned to India with a dream – to establish an advanced electronics lab in Bihar, his home state, a place often overlooked in India’s technological advancement narrative.
“When I was moving to Korea, I was in need of financial stability. However, in my mind, I was determined to return to India within six-seven years to start my own company in Patna. My goal was to establish an advanced electronics lab in the city after coming back,” tells the entrepreneur who had pursued M.Sc. in Physics (advanced electronics) from Patna University.
Sticking to his plan, in 2008, Bikramaditya returned to Bihar to launch his first company, Tekbrains. Despite facing challenges and initial failure, his determination to succeed in his homeland remained steadfast.
While his first company faced ups and downs and had to be shut down after ten years of operations, it laid the foundation of his second company that would become a pioneer in its field. In 2020, Bikramaditya founded Smartway Electronics, which got selected for incubation at IIT Patna. The company focuses on developing medical electronics devices, embedded systems, and semiconductor technology.
Bibhuti Bikramaditya at a programme organized by Department of Industry, Government of Bihar
Owing to its impactful product ideas and its founder’s vision, the startup has attained funding not only from IIT Patna but also from the Department of Industry, Government of Bihar, and Startup India Seed Fund from Government of India.
Love for Bihar: A driving force
For Bibhuti Bikramaditya, his love for Bihar has always been at the core of his efforts. His aim has always been to create opportunities for technological growth in Bihar, and encourage innovation and research in the region. His work with the BBrains Development Society, a non-profit, he founded is a result of his commitment to encourage educational and scientific advancements in the eastern state. Under BBrains umbrella, he has been organising the annual Bihar Science Conference in association with different universities of Bihar.
Work in progress
“Smartway Electronics’ journey has just started,” he says. Bikramaditya is continuing to push the envelope with new projects in semiconductor development, aiming to integrate various other medical electronics devices. His vision includes international partnerships, like an impending MoU with a Canadian pharma company, to bring his innovations to the global stage.
Bibhuti Bickramaditya
With a passion for continuous learning and innovation, the entrepreneur recently completed his PhD in nanoelectronics from Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, and has been conducting research on nanomaterials for new LED devices designed for warm white lighting. “I have been granted a patent on LED technology,” he informs.
More than just an entrepreneur, Bibhuti Bikramaditya is a changemaker dedicated to bringing technological innovation to his state. His entrepreneurial efforts, passion for electronics, and commitment to contributing to Bihar’s self-reliance make him an inspiring figure in the state’s startup ecosystem which is in its infancy compared to the majority of Indian states.
- Follow Bibhuti Bikramaditya on LinkedIn
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