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DSIR-recognised SIRO · Host Institute, Ministry of MSME, Government of India

Vijnan Foundation for Innovation, Research in Science & Technology

Science. Research.Innovation. Services.

VFIRST promotes scientific research, technology development, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer to address real-world challenges.

We bring together researchers, academic institutions, industry partners, innovators, startups and public-sector stakeholders to develop practical, technology-enabled solutions.

GIS map showing malaria cases in Mangalore villages, 2021Malaria GIS model · 2021
False-colour satellite image of agricultural landRemote sensing
Researcher recording field data in a rubber plantation, Sullia talukField research
SIRO recognitionDepartment of Scientific & Industrial Research, Govt. of India
Host InstituteMinistry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Govt. of India
Knowledge partner of MSMEMoU with PPDC, a Government of India society
NGO Darpan registeredRegistered trust, established 2018

Who we are

A research and innovation organisation from coastal Karnataka

Vijnan Foundation for Innovation, Research in Science & Technology (VFIRST) is based in Udupi and works across Mangaluru, Surathkal and Bellare. We are recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by DSIR and as a Host Institute under the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.

Our work spans geospatial technology, artificial intelligence, IoT, advanced sensors and their application to public health, water, agriculture and climate — together with training, incubation and industry partnerships that help turn ideas into validated technologies.

Vijnan Foundation team reviewing research and development work
2018Established as a registered trust in Udupi
8Interdisciplinary research areas
11Geoinformatics and IPR training programmes
3Associated startups at our Bellare incubation centre

Key highlights

What sets VFIRST apart

Government recognition, field-proven research and hands-on training under one roof.

01

DSIR-recognised SIRO

Recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India.

02

MSME Host Institute & knowledge partner

Host Institute under the Ministry of MSME, knowledge partner through an MoU with PPDC, and an MSME-supported incubation centre.

03

Public-health GIS research

DHR/ICMR-sponsored remote sensing and GIS studies of dengue, chikungunya and malaria in Dakshina Kannada district.

04

Geospatial products & services

GIS datasets (DTM, DEM, DSM), web-GIS information systems, image processing, photogrammetry and 3D modelling.

05

Training & skill development

Geoinformatics and IPR courses, four MSME programmes delivered in 2021, and GIS Day seminars every year since 2019.

06

Incubation & startups

The VFSTEI incubator supports idea-stage and growth-stage startups, with three associated startups at Bellare.

Our approach

From research to societal impact

  1. 1
    Research
  2. 2
    Innovation
  3. 3
    Technology development
  4. 4
    Validation
  5. 5
    Intellectual property
  6. 6
    Technology transfer
  7. 7
    Societal impact

Gallery

Our work in pictures

Field research, GIS maps, training programmes and events.

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Lighting of the lamp at GIS Day, Udupi
Field survey along a rubber plantation, Sullia taluk
Geospatial Excellence Award at the India Geospatial Forum, New Delhi
Management Development Programme under the MSME scheme
GIS software workshop with SuperGeo Technologies, Taiwan

Work with us

Let’s turn ideas into validated technology

We welcome research, training and technology-development collaborations with academic institutions, industry, government agencies, startups, MSMEs and development organisations.