Entrepreneurship – Academia Plus Educational Services

In this chapter of Career Stories, we bring you the story of Dr. Shivakiran Makam, who currently serves as the CEO of Atal Incubation Centre – Sri Krishnadevaraya University and also as co-chair for Alliance Group of the Startup 20 Engagement Group.

He is passionate about promoting low-cost technologies and mentoring startups to help them achieve their fullest potential. Amidst his stellar career, he still calls himself a learner and prefers to engage himself in harnessing the best of knowledge from all possible sources. In this candid chat, he talks in length about his journey so far, shares valuable insights, and provides with some tips on how to embark upon the entrepreneurial journey.

Can you briefly share about your diverse professional journey? What motivated you to take up a mentorship role, from that of being a scientist? What is the significance of your role as a mentor in your professional journey?

I am a scientist and a seeker of truth. My career path has taken different curves, from being a scientist and researcher to my current role as a CEO. After completing my Bachelors in Biology, I pursued my Masters at Satya Sai University, Puttaparthi and joined a PhD program in Defence Food Research Lab, a DRDO lab in Mysore, where I did research on a very interesting topic i.e. on strategic bio defense. During this time, I gained valuable insights into the role of science and technology in shaping our lives. After my PhD, I did a post-doctoral fellowship with DRDO in Coimbatore, where I developed technologies for the armed forces. I then received an invitation to lead a research team at Vignan University. Here, I was a scientist and took up multiple roles.I volunteered as the Associate Dean R&D, which helped shape my move from a scientific role to innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2016, I established a business incubator at the university and played a key role in shaping policies related to patents, incubation, and IPR. In addition to my regular job roles, I took on various projects related to waste management and animal house setup. I found fulfillment in mentoring others, including students, farmers. As the CEO of Atal Incubation Centre, my mentoring extends beyond startups and innovation. I also guide individuals in their careers, decision-making processes, and taking ownership of responsibilities, apart from offering mentorship to colleges and businesses. Witnessing the positive impact on my beneficiaries brings me great satisfaction. Overall, my journey as a scientist, researcher, and CEO has allowed me to pursue knowledge, develop technologies, establish an incubation center, and serve as a mentor to various individuals. This has positively impacted startups, my staff, and a diverse range of people.

Can you describe your project of developing a low-cost solution for treating gutter water and cogeneration of biogas? Can you share the impact of the biogas plant in terms of waste management and energy generation?

This was a small project initiated by the Vice Chairman of the college where I worked. The college was facing two main challenges – the first one was that 70% of the bore wells were dried-up and the other was that untreated sewage from hostels, labs, and toilets was let into agricultural canals. As a scientist and researcher, I proposed a solution that involved the usage of duckweed and water hyacinth (Eichornia) plants to purify the gutter water to a significant extent. We created an artificial canal to divert the water and introduced these plants in the canal. The experiment was successful, resulting in improved gutter water quality. The biomass from the plants was then used as feedstock for a biogas plant, which provided fuel for the kitchen. This self-sustainable model effectively addressed the issues of gutter water treatment and biogas production. The success of this model prompted us to explore its implementation in municipal projects to incentivize and privatize sewage treatment plants. And through our model we have demonstrated that money can be generated, that’s how this became very popular & in fact it was covered quite extensively in the media. By demonstrating the potential for generating revenue, we aimed to encourage private sector involvement in sustainable city planning. In fact, I have suggested this work to MBA students at Bharathidasan Institute of Management and asked them to perform some marketing analysis and feasibility studies as a part of the future sustainability plan to incentivize or privatize sewage treatment plants using this technology.

As the CEO of Atal Incubation Center, can you share the vision and mission of your startup hub? What specific goals or objectives do you aim to achieve in supporting and nurturing startups?

I must admit, it may surprise you to know that we didn’t have a vision for three years. When we started in 2018, we initially followed the standard approach of running an incubation center like any other in the country. However, we soon realized that this approach wouldn’t be enough and we needed to have our own unique, relevant, and impactful vision statement. It took us three years to develop our own vision statement- “To reverse talent migration from urban to semi-urban to rural areas by creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem, through innovation as an approach that ultimately enhances the overall economic well-being of the region.”

Our vision aims to attract individuals to return to towns and villages from cities by providing them with opportunities. When a startup chooses to establish itself in Anantapur by moving its base from Bangalore or Pune, it brings infrastructure, jobs, and business to the region, thereby benefiting the local economy. Thus, our vision is to employ innovation and entrepreneurship as tools to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem and encourage people to settle in the region.

To achieve this vision, our mission includes raising awareness, implementing structured programs for various stakeholders, providing funding, infrastructure, mentorship, and networking opportunities. We want to support entrepreneurship by retaining local talent, training individuals in entrepreneurship, nurturing startups, and assisting colleges and universities to replicate our model in their respective regions. We believe in empowering others, even if they become our competitors. We believe that if there are tough competitors it shows the effectiveness of our model and also contributes to the overall growth of the country.

In our programs we conduct awareness camps in colleges, schools, and among ex-service personnel. In fact, recently we organized an awareness program for approximately 200 ex-service men in Anantapur district. By providing them with information about our institute, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the support available, we tried to bridge the knowledge gap and empower them to make informed decisions. We also run structured programs to guide aspiring entrepreneurs in identifying opportunities, understanding problem statements, evaluating their skill sets, and bridging any gaps. Funding opportunities vary depending on the progress and structure of the organizations as well as the nature of funding i.e. bank loans, venture capitalists, or self-generated funds.

Despite starting without a clear vision, we have now established a strong direction for our organization, focused on reversing talent migration and fostering entrepreneurship.

Could you provide an overview of your role as the co-chair for the Alliance group in the Startup20 Engagement Group? How has your experience been so far?

This is a very interesting intervention that happened in my professional life. So to start with, India is a president of the Group of 20 (G20) from 2022 to 2023, September. And for the first time, India has proposed the concept of talking about entrepreneurs and startups in the G20 forum. Till now, G20 was restricted to finance, and financial strategies. Now, they are talking about climate change, environment, global warming, disaster management etc. This is a significant shift. Startups now have a global platform through the G20 and the Startup 20 engagement group. Startups collectively contribute around 0.8% to 1% of India’s GDP, and by increasing this percentage they can have an even greater impact on India’s economy. They consistently help in job creation, innovation, and technology solutions. Now, my role in this alliance group is to create policies that will enable startups to go global, to gain access to other markets such as Africa, Asia or South America, particularly, for those aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focused on impact creation rather than just profit-making. The experience within Startup 20 has had a positive influence on my decision-making and expanded my perspective beyond my role in the incubation center. It has made me see myself as a contributor to the global startup ecosystem & also helped me understand and learn the value of connecting different stakeholders to solve common problems and bridging the gap between the global and local initiatives.

Could you please share the experience & insights gained from being a member of various advisory boards and the value you have personally gained from these roles?

I have served on advisory boards in business schools and incubation ecosystems. I am also an advisor for NGOs like Krishi Bharatam and innovation-related organizations like the International Federation of Inventors Association. Recently, I have also taken up consulting roles for biotechnology companies. In all of these, my role is providing guidance on their operations, strategies, and vision. Advisory boards play a crucial role in bridging knowledge gaps and offering insights that organizations may not be aware of. Although advisory roles are often pro bono, the impact of our advice depends on the seriousness of the recipients. It is important that the advice given should be constructive, aligned with an organization’s vision. For example, with Krishi Bharatam, which is a trust founded by few research scholars from Sanskrit university- they wanted to promote Parashara Samhita which talks about agricultural practices written by sage Parashara. Here, my role was to help integrate ancient agricultural knowledge from the Parashara Samhita with modern scientific practices. I advised them to reevaluate Parashara’s observations in the context of sustainability and promote black rice cultivation in a natural method, which has both health and environmental benefits.Black rice has a good amount of calcium and magnesium, both of which is good for health and Black rice takes much lesser water and helps in reducing carbon footprint as compared to the regular rice cultivation. I also advised them on how one can commercialize or popularize black rice to the masses. This is one example of how a member of an advisory committee can add constructive value to any organization. Being part of advisory boards has provided me with valuable insights, expanded my networks, and empowered me as a knowledge seeker. These experiences have had a positive impact on both my professional and personal growth.

How do you manage your time and commitments effectively while handling multiple roles as a CEO, mentor and member of various advisory committees?

I must admit that I’m not great at separating my roles as a CEO, mentor, and advisory committee member.I naturally merge them into one cohesive personality, known as Shivakiran & switch seamlessly between these roles. During office hours, I concentrate on my responsibilities, avoiding calls about work at home unless it’s truly urgent. Occasionally, this approach may result in mistakes, but I accept imperfection, prioritizing learning over perfection. This method has proven effective, and I have confidence it will remain so. However, time management is crucial, and I rely on some tools like reminders, Zoho calendar to help me stay organized. Maintaining a clear distinction between work and family is crucial to me, as I value both equally.

What advice or insights would you offer to others who are interested in developing low-cost solutions for environmental challenges or pursuing sustainable projects?

My advice: if you really want to understand and solve a problem, you need to experience it firsthand & empathize. You don’t need to know all the technical knowledge right from the start. If you feel you lack skills, seek support from a co-founder, advisor,mentor or incubation center to fill the gaps. But always keep a long-term vision in mind while addressing the problem.

In my approach, I test and evaluate my solutions from my stakeholder’s perspective. I’m open and unafraid to share my ideas & seek inputs from many people- and I practice this, even before applying for any patents.

Another effective approach is to involve users in co-creating solutions from the beginning by seeking their insights and preferences. By doing so, you can create cost-effective and widely accepted solutions that meet the market’s needs.

Remember, understanding & empathizing the problem, seeking inputs from experts, and co-creating solutions with the consumers are a few valuable approaches to effectively address challenges.

What do you consider to be the most crucial qualities or skills that a startup founder should possess? How do you help them develop these attributes during the mentoring process?

Two important qualities, which I consider inseparable twins, are values and valuation. A company should possess a strong valuation, and its founder should uphold good values. You should have a dream and also the ability to turn it into reality. To turn passion into reality, essential skills are required like communication, problem-solving, solution design, testing, and more. Financial, technical, and human skills, such as communication, etiquette, discipline, finance, marketing, and technical expertise, are all crucial, and lacking a specific skill can be supplemented by finding a suitable co-founder.

As they enter into the startup ecosystem, they will learn the necessary skills on the job. Our incubator has a couple of structured programs for different stakeholders like for students; we have programs called Ignite, where they learn problem identification, team building, funding sources, and proper idea presentation. The Vantena, the bridge program which provides deeper knowledge on finance, design thinking, patents, and company structure. Then comes the Abhyudaya program which is a two-year journey from prototype to market, with additional scaling opportunities. We have these structured programs in batches.

For farmers, women, and service men, we have different set programs according to their specific needs and schedules. Our programs cover the entire journey from idea to enterprise; develop required skills along the way. We partner with international coaches, finance experts, and angel investors to provide valuable support to our startups.

Have there been any specific moments or success stories that have reaffirmed your passion for guiding and supporting entrepreneurs?

There are many such stories. To start with, there was a girl who came to our incubation center seeking help to support her idea. Her idea was about communication training for students in small towns. However, being with us, she realized that this idea had limited scope and scalability, so she had to redesign her entire business plan and come up with a new idea. Now, she runs two enterprises and a lot of programs for our incubator. She has grown and pivoted her idea multiple times and now she has the capability to design programs on her own. Her success story is inspiring because she’s a first-generation entrepreneur from a small town and now she has made her own dent in the startup ecosystem.

Another story where students were given the challenge to detect illegal electric wires in forests, and one student’s idea stood out. The device they created brought joy to forest workers, as it could potentially save lives by preventing electrocutions. Witnessing such amazing projects in high school or engineering having such a life saving impact and adding value to others’ lives is truly fulfilling.

These stories inspire me to work harder in our incubator, despite the challenges and frustrations that come with it. They show the potential for students to make a difference and impact the future of people and the planet.

Can you share some success stories or notable achievements of startups incubated at the Atal Incubation Centre, that have made significant contributions towards environmental or social sustainability? How do you measure the impact of these startups?

Let’s begin with Anantha Naturals, a startup founded by Parthasarathy, a tech graduate with a vision for change. Realizing that the food consumed in urban areas often contains harmful substances like pesticides and hormones. Inspired to make a change, he returned to Anantapur and started organic farming and through his support, many young individuals left their lucrative jobs & joined organic farming. We had provided funding to him to create organic fertilizer making machines for distribution to the farmers. Parthasarathy’s passion for sustainable entrepreneurship has successfully inspired numerous people, bringing them back to Anantapur.

Another story is about Urber Nature Private Limited which was founded by Mahaprasad Nanda, an engineering graduate from Odisha. Concerned about the environmental impact of plastic straws, he used Deenanath grass sticks to create eco-friendly alternatives, training tribal women to produce them. This approach not only reduces plastic waste but also empowers the women financially, improving their lives.

Lastly, there’s Dr. Meenakshi Kapil, from Zirakpur, Punjab who works with farmers in tribal Andhra Pradesh to address the issue of not getting the right pricing for their turmeric crops. She noticed the superior quality of the locally cultivated turmeric and transformed it into drinks and latte products, exporting them to Canada. She bridges the market and technology gap, ensuring farmers receive fair prices.

We assess the impact of these businesses by considering the financial benefits to the end-users and beneficiaries, improvements in healthcare, and social parameters. However, we are also exploring other tools to measure the impact of their businesses on the environment.

Aishwarya Muriki Author

Career Stories: Chapter 28

19th October 202326th October 2023 Academia Plus

In this chapter of Career Stories, we bring you the story of Anushila Chatterjee who currently leads the program and curriculum design at VigyaanShaala International . In this candid chat, she talks at length about her journey so far, her passion towards mentoring, elaborates upon some challenges faced while balancing diverse roles and also shares some valuable insights gained over time.

Can you elaborate on your career journey and what led you to pursue science and STEM?

I used to be a professional athlete in school. I was a national gymnast and involved in sports. In class 9, we had a new science teacher who came in. The way she explained science, and taught us, made it more fun than what you typically see in books. That is when I started enjoying science, observing things around me, and learning.

I also realized that even as a kid, I spent my free time doing things related to science without realizing it. For instance, I would take different leaves, paste them on paper, brush them with a crayon, and observe different patterns. I used to wonder why each leaf had unique patterns. I also played around with homeopathy bottles, filling them up with different liquids, and pretending to be a scientist. These were all science-related activities I did unknowingly. However, in school, I didn’t enjoy science as much, until that teacher came and changed my perception of how interesting science could be. That is when I realized that I wanted to work with living things and, eventually, I fell in love with biology during 11th and 12th grade.

Microbiology was part of our syllabus, and I found it fascinating to learn about microbes, something invisible to the naked eye. It was a new and emerging subject at that time, so I decided to give it a try. I loved it, and I wanted to take it further. I didn’t want my science journey to end after obtaining my masters. Wanting to contribute to this field, I pursued my PhD and postdoc.

We often face rejections, setbacks, and challenges in our career journey. Could you tell us about your biggest rejection or failure in your career journey and how you overcame it?

I would say there were two significant challenges that I faced after completing my PhD when I was looking for postdocs. Each PhD journey is different-; some might have several published papers by the end, while others might still be working on their publications. In my case, I had finished my paper, and it was still under review. Finding a postdoc without a publication is highly competitive, and that was challenging.

Additionally, my PhD advisor, while very supportive, had an old-school approach to postdoc applications. He would provide references and recommendations but didn’t actively forward CVs or suggest specific labs to apply to. So, I had to apply at many places before identifying a suitable lab. It was a stressful time, while I kept trying and exploring different directions. Ultimately, I found the perfect postdoc position, and it worked out really well for me. The key takeaway was persistence and not limiting myself to a few options. I explored diverse labs with interesting science, spoke to different people, and found the right fit.

Persistence and being open to diverse opportunities truly paid off for you. Now, moving on to another aspect of your career, I noticed from your LinkedIn profile that you have been involved in diverse roles, such as being a researcher, academic program designer and manager, STEM mentor, and trainer. Balancing all these roles can be demanding. How do you manage your time and responsibilities effectively, and how did you venture into being a part of all this?

Yes, you are right; it can be demanding to manage diverse roles. My journey into these roles was gradual and driven by my passion to contribute and make a difference.

During my postdoc, I actively volunteered in various activities at the university, organizing conferences, and symposiums, and engaging with graduate student organizations and postdoc associations. I found joy in interacting with people from different backgrounds and solving problems with varied perspectives. During my postdoc, I was part of a new lab and actively involved in setting up the lab. I had the opportunity to mentor individuals from diverse backgrounds, including a master’s student, a PhD student, and a lab technician with different levels of expertise. This allowed me to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and gain experience in mentoring people with varying skill sets.

Teaching and mentoring were always close to my heart, and I actively mentored Masters and graduate students during my postdoc, gaining valuable experience in working with diverse projects and people.

The mentoring experience during my postdoc made me realize that I didn’t want to be solely focused on teaching. I enjoyed mentoring and interacting with students, teaching them not just scientific facts, but also instilling a scientific temperament. I wanted to encourage them to ask questions and actively engage in the learning process. Additionally, I enjoyed participating in various activities outside the lab, such as organizing conferences and events, which allowed me to interact with people from different backgrounds, and solve problems collaboratively. These experiences made me appreciate the broader impact of my work, beyond a single academic institution.

The decision to transition to my current role was not planned beforehand. As I was interviewing for different positions after my postdoc, I had already been involved with Kalpana – She for STEM at VigyanShaala International. During the academic interviews, I came across questions that didn’t resonate with me, and it made me reflect on what I truly wanted as a career. I reflected on myself and started to reconsider my decisions – Why exactly did I want to be a professor? What about being a professor attracts me? What kind of lifestyle am I looking for? I realized that what I really like is interacting with the students. I wanted to teach not just science. Rather – I wanted to inculcate a scientific temperament in them. While being a professor appealed to me I realized that as a professor I could only impact a limited number of students at a specific college.

That is when I recognized the potential impact I could have through VigyanShaala. The organization’s mission and vision resonated with me deeply. As a woman in STEM myself, I understood the challenges faced by women in the field, and I wanted to contribute to empowering and supporting them. Thus, my reach extended far beyond a single college, allowing me to make a more significant difference to the lives of aspiring scientists. These factors led me to transition to this role, despite it being a new field for me. There is a lot of joy in the learning process and a feeling of fulfillment in contributing to social development.

That’s impressive how you found your way into these roles and are making a positive impact. As someone who has worked internationally, how do you feel about the representation of women in STEM, in India? What are your observations on this front?

The representation of women in STEM workforce in India and the world is still very low. The numbers vary across different fields, with engineering having less representation compared to life sciences. The challenge is not just restricted to their initial entry into STEM but with the progression of women in their respective STEM careers. There is a significant drop-off as women move from undergraduate level to higher education or jobs in STEM fields. Although India has one of the highest number of women taking up STEM at the UG level, 2 out of 3 of these women fall off the STEM pipeline after their UG completion. This leaky pipeline is something we need to address urgently. There are organizations and initiatives that are working to tackle these issues, but more efforts are required to create an inclusive and supportive environment for women in STEM. We need to act now for a strong upheaval and redressal of this situation.

Speaking of fostering inclusivity, your work with the Kalpana- She for STEM program has impacted students globally. How does it feel when students from around the world express their appreciation for your mentorship?

Well, I believe my impact as a mentor is for my mentees to decide, but I do find joy and motivation in seeing my mentees succeed. Interacting with these students from diverse backgrounds is an enriching experience. When I see them passionately pursuing their goals and overcoming challenges, it encourages me to give my best as a mentor. It is a two-way street; the dedication and enthusiasm of my mentees is mutual. It feels great to know that I can make a visible difference to someone else’s life, just like someone did for me when I was starting my journey.

Moving on to discussing the curricula that you have been involved in designing for both – the Kalpana Program, as well as the ReAct Program ; could you please share your goals and how you achieve them through these programs?

Kalpana’s curriculum was already in place when I joined the team, and we continuously evolve that based on our interactions and feedbacks with the students as well as other stakeholders. Our main goal with Kalpana is to give students the ability to explore various STEM careers, understand their options, and build confidence in their chosen paths. Through exposure to role models and interactive sessions, we help students find diverse opportunities available in STEM. Kalpana has multiple stages, from online learning and mentor interactions to research projects and internships, facilitating a comprehensive experience.

ReAct, on the other hand, was an initiative I started with when I realized that many undergraduate students lacked research exposure. I wanted to make research opportunities accessible to all and not restrict them just to students from prestigious institutions. Our goal with ReAct was to introduce students to the world of research, and help them make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.

I learnt that you are moonlighting an entrepreneurial endeavor. If you’re comfortable sharing, could you tell us more about it and how it came about?

My entrepreneurial endeavor is in its early stages, and the idea is quite broad at the moment. It stemmed from my observation that finding jobs for PhDs in India, beyond a postdoc, can be challenging. Often, we are prepared for academia or industry positions, but there’s a lack of proper training and guidance on other potential career paths. Additionally, I noticed a drop-off in women pursuing STEM careers after completing their PhDs, which is a loss of highly skilled talent. My long-term goal is to create a platform that supports women PhDs, especially those who took a career break, and helps them re-enter and stay in the STEM field, leveraging their unique skills and knowledge. I believe that empowering women in STEM will have a significant impact on society as a whole.

That’s a noble and impactful vision. Empowering women in STEM and providing support to re-enter the field after career breaks is crucial for fostering diversity and innovation. Considering your experiences and growth in the field, what advice would you give young students aspiring to pursue research or a career in STEM?

Firstly, explore different fields and career options. Do not limit yourself to a single subject; STEM is about being interdisciplinary, and hence diverse skills can be valuable. Secondly, have a clear vision of your goals, both academically and professionally. Understand what you want to achieve and where you see yourself in the future. Thirdly, networking is crucial. Connect with people in your field, talk to mentors, and seek guidance. Networking can open doors to opportunities and provide valuable insights. Lastly, don’t be afraid of making mistakes or facing challenges. Learn from them, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.

Looking back, I wish I had understood the importance of networking and how it could positively impact my career. Networking not only helps in finding opportunities like postdocs and jobs, it provides valuable insights into lab environments, potential mentors, and research projects. Building a strong network can be a game-changer in one’s career. Hence, my advice to students and early-career researchers would be to actively network, connect with peers and professionals, and seek guidance from mentors. It can make a significant difference to their journey.

Anila Sudhir Author

Career Stories

Career Stories: Chapter 26

5th October 20235th October 2023 Academia Plus

In this chapter of Career Stories, we bring you the story of Praveen Sappa, who is passionate about insect technology and runs two biotechnology ventures that leverage the advantages of this technology in the sustainability sector. In this candid chat, he shares his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he picked up while building his two companies and his views about sustainability.

What inspired you to pursue a career in science, and how did that journey lead you towards becoming an entrepreneur?

Briefly, I have always been curious about everything related to science since childhood, which led me towards pursuing a career in that subject. It became clear to me early on that my interest in science was mainly because I was great at admiring everything related to nature. I was almost close to pursuing medicine, but opted for pure science instead and completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Chemistry, followed by a Master’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Hyderabad. Later, I decided to pursue a PhD abroad and spent five years in Germany conducting various postdoctoral research projects. Over a period of time, I realized that Academia often lacked application-oriented science and is focused mainly on basic research. Hence, I thought of pursuing an MBA, but eventually realized that it would be more sensible to gain industry experience and I set aside the idea of joining an immediate MBA. During my time in Germany, I gained a deep understanding & interest for sustainability, the environment, and related subjects. This made me curious and I tried to look for technologies that could contribute to sustainability while offering significant opportunities for a positive change. In 2011, I discovered Insect Technology through a tech video, and it ticked all my boxes and also aligned perfectly with my criteria for impactful as well as science-oriented business opportunity. Over the years, I observed and tried to keep a track on the progress in the field while waiting for someone to make a significant impact in India. Unfortunately, no one started it on a scale that could be truly impactful. In 2018, I made the decision to leave academia as I realized that I needed a more dynamic environment to excel. Through my journey I understood the importance of figuring out what suits me the best, while catering to my curiosity. By pursuing these goals, I aimed to create value for society, the company, and myself and Insect technology aligned perfectly with all my aspirations. In 2018, I returned to India, despite having zero knowledge of entrepreneurship at that time. I took a plunge, and after five years of dedicated effort, I have managed to grow my company- Holocene Ecosolutions, into a two million USD enterprise. Currently, we have also embarked on a new venture – Arthro Biotech, focusing on uses of Insect Biotechnology other than waste management.

What sparked your passion for nature’s way of solving problems? Was there a particular event or experience that inspired you?

As a child, I would spend a lot of time observing fishes, animals, and insects- everything that has to do with nature and questioning the way things happened in nature. Whether it was sitting by a lake or near a rainwater drain, I was captivated by nature’s intricacies. This curiosity has remained within me as an integral part of who I am today. It’s very important to recognize and reconnect with your core essence and align your life goals accordingly. When your profession is driven by something that genuinely motivates you every day, not just for financial profit or career advancement, it becomes truly fulfilling. No one told me to go to a lake and observe fish or catch them; it was an innate part of me. In Germany, where I had more time, I found a quieter environment for myself. Unlike India, where everyone is caught up in the business of life, Germany gave me some space and time to reflect on my thoughts. I had a reef tank aquarium at my place, and I invested some time and resources into perfecting it naturally and sustainably, avoiding artificial additives. Eventually, I developed a self-cleaning aquarium that also required very little feeding. This hobby of mine exemplified the slow, thoughtful approach inspired by nature. This is how nature’s way of observing & doing things came to me.

This way, I gradually understood the relationship between sustainability and my own curiosity. If you understand how sustainability works, you can then apply nature’s way of dealing things into a business context. This realization and evolution of thought shaped my path forward.

Can you briefly explain the primary difference between your two companies Holocene & Arthro Biotech in terms of their goals as well as the focus areas?

The core vision of Holocene primarily revolves around the development of insect technology. Initially, the company focused on waste management, which also remains its ongoing endeavor. Although I am no longer in an executive position at Holocene, I still hold shares in that company, and its regular operations continue as before. However, the reason behind establishing a new company was to explore different applications of insect technology beyond waste management. With Arthro Biotech, we aim to specifically explore the sector of clean commodities. In the animal feed sector, fish meal obtained from the ocean is commonly used to feed the inland fishes. This is a “fish-in-fish-out” concept, which involves extracting fish from the ocean to feed fish and shrimp on land, resulting in an unsustainable ratio – such as: four fish taken from the ocean to produce one fish on land. This approach is not only environmentally unsustainable, but also economically inefficient. The fish meal industry itself is valued at around $7 billion. Here is where insect protein comes into picture and plays a crucial role. By utilizing insect ingredients, we aim to replace fish meal, allowing fish to remain in their natural habitat and making the animal supply chain more sustainable. Moreover, we have access to tons of insect biomass on a daily basis. Insect biomass is relatively unexplored in both academic and industrial settings. Insects contain numerous valuable molecules beyond just protein and fat, including substances that can be important for the cosmetics and nutraceutical industries, such as antimicrobial peptides, melanin, and chitin. Our objective is to extract and utilize these molecules; producing biopesticides and exploring the potential to develop recombinant proteins. We see the transformation of the chemical industry, gradually shifting towards enzymatic processes. Chemical processes often contribute significantly to environmental pollution and lack the purity found in enzymatic processes. Industries require cost-effective enzymes, similar to those used in detergents. Insects possess the ability to rapidly increase their biomass, multiplying by up to 2,000-fold in just ten days. We aim to harness this tremendous growth potential to produce enzymes and proteins for various industrial applications, both for human as well as industrial use. So that was the major driving point for us to have two separate companies- Holocene, for waste management and Arthro Biotech for clean commodities using insect technology.

Could you elaborate a bit more on how insect technology utilizes the distinct biological characteristics of insects to effectively tackle global challenges, such as waste management, in a manner that is both sustainable and efficient?

In the past, and even today in some villages, food waste was disposed of in dump yards near homes. Insects naturally thrive in these dumps, and chickens would feed on these insects, and the nutrients would eventually find their way back into the food cycle when chickens are consumed by humans.Thus, nutrients are recycled from food waste naturally. This process of insects decomposing organic materials and recycling nutrients back into the food chain occurred without any human intervention. However, in modern times, the waste degradation process takes place through anaerobic digestion, where methane is released and leachate goes to the groundwater. In such a scenario, insects (which may in fact be faster than bacteria in degrading waste) are not able to contribute towards the waste degradation process. Our mission is to reintroduce insects into the waste management system and thus, by and large- into the economy. By doing so, we aim to recycle nutrients and restore them back to the food system.

The insects which we use are black soldier flies (BSF). BSF is a naturally occurring species that primarily feeds on soft and decaying materials. While it can consume fruits, it is unable to digest plant residue such as leaves or branches due to their lignin or cellulose content. However, there are other insects specifically suited for processing such materials- such as locusts, although they are often considered pests. Nevertheless, if there is a specific need, controlled facilities can be established, even for those types of insects. However, utmost caution must be taken due to the risks involved. On the other hand, BSF are relatively simpler to manage, and we do not encounter significant concerns. In fact, there have been numerous publications (approximately 6,000), available in PubMed, and none of them suggest any negative aspects associated with BSF as compared to other insects.

In the year 2021 you received the BIRAC Big Grant to upcycle Abattoir waste Could you share your approach towards treating Abattoir waste and the overall experience throughout this entire process?

The journey with Abattoir waste was quite interesting for us! The modern-day abattoirs hide a complex world beyond what is visible to us. It was eye-opening to understand the business model behind these facilities. Each day, the abattoirs we worked with would slaughter around 2,000 buffaloes a day. They have around six to seven such plants across India and export buffalo meat. But have you ever wondered where these buffaloes come from? They are in fact sourced from the dairy industry. After around five years of milk production, the buffaloes are sent to the slaughterhouses. Unlike cows, buffaloes do not have shelters (goshalas) and are considered redundant. Consequently, they all end up in the abattoirs. Slaughtering 2,000 buffaloes daily requires a huge amount of water, resulting in the release of a significant amount of water waste. The abattoirs use approximately two lakh tons of water per day, and this water contains suspended solids comprising protein, fat, blood amongst other substances, that make up about 70 tons of the total volume. Consequently, this 70-ton sludge needs to be treated appropriately. The abattoirs had been employing some not so useful methods, but we proposed the implementation of the black soldier fly- technology. This sludge being highly nutritious can be a valuable resource. The factory had attempted to dry out the sludge and use it in briquettes. However, our proposal involved treating it with BSF and converting it into compost. The proteins and fats present in the sludge could be transformed into insect protein by the black soldier flies. The factory, having its own pet food division, could utilize the insect protein in their pet feed. We offered them three successful trials at different scales to demonstrate this feasibility- the technology and the results were impressive!

How do your companies (Holocene & Arthro Biotech) handle waste generated during the upcycling process, and how do you maintain a balance between waste generation and the amount of waste utilized for upcycling?

The main principle of insect technology is that there is no waste generation. For example, if we are processing 100 tons, we may generate only around 500 kilograms of Insect waste and at Arthro Biotech, we are isolating valuable compounds such as chitin and melanin from the very little amount of waste generated. We are trying to create a revenue-generating biotechnology model even with this little waste generated. In general, if waste is being produced, it indicates a lack of understanding of deriving value from it. In my opinion, there is no such thing as waste in nature. As humans, we sometimes label things as waste which may in fact become a valuable resource for a different industry, it is just dependent on the way we look at it.

Looking back, what do you consider the most critical factors that contributed to the success of Holocene? Are there any specific milestones or achievements that you are particularly proud of?

My journey in a way was a little different. I had financial support from a company that was also a family-run business. This had its own advantages as well as disadvantages. Leveraging their capital and infrastructure allowed us to progress to some extent, but it also took us three years to fully understand the potential of black soldier flies (BSF) and build a business model around BSF insect technology. If you go through a professional setting such as an accelerator or incubator, the process would likely have been faster, requiring less financial investment. In an incubator or accelerator one can get an opportunity to engage with different individuals, bounce ideas, receive feedback, and also explore many opportunities. As an entrepreneur, it is crucial to engage with as many people as possible; expanding your repertoire of thoughts beyond what is visible. I didn’t follow this approach initially, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who is starting new. Surround yourself with a supportive and knowledgeable environment, seek guidance, help from others, and never hesitate to ask for help, regardless of how small or insignificant it may appear. I myself practice this regularly. When it came to milestones in our journey it involved overcoming the major bottleneck of BSF breeding, which required significant effort. Thus, the first milestone was reached when we were able to produce a sizable amount of BSF. Once we achieved success in this area, other aspects such as developing downstream technologies and constructing a scalable business model was more on the manageable side. This progress took us forward in the field of waste management.

How can scientific institutions and researchers incorporate sustainability considerations into their work? What steps can be taken to ensure that scientific advancements align with sustainable principles and goals?

Generally, academics develop basic technologies, and I believe that it is the responsibility of companies to recognize their potential and commercialize them. This is why I have envisioned a healthy dialogue between the academia and the industry. In Germany, there is an excellent relationship between academia and industry. For instance, Airbus, a European company mainly located in France and Germany, collaborates closely with universities, and vocational courses are designed keeping the company in mind. Apart from this, the establishment of ‘Clusters of Excellence’ allows for a greater interaction between Academia and Industry. These clusters attract companies that wish to participate and contribute to the technological advancements being developed by universities within the cluster. Once the technologies are developed, the companies commercialize them, often with a small royalty paid to the academic institution which had developed that particular technology. These types of interactions highlight the importance of aligning academia and industry on a common path.

Unfortunately, in India, academia and industry often fail to work together due to a lack of understanding and communication between the both. Academics may struggle to understand industry language, while industry doesn’t understand academia’s bureaucracy. Bridging this gap is crucial, and I believe that individuals like me can play an important role in facilitating active collaboration between academia and industry as it is of a personal interest to me.

What are your thoughts on the future of sustainability as a career path? How do you see the field evolving, and what opportunities do you foresee for individuals passionate about sustainability?

Looking back over the past century, from 1900 to 2000, sustainability was neglected, not valued, and overlooked. But today, everything is being viewed through a sustainability lens, including investments and stock markets. Every sector, from automobiles to electronics, food, and construction, is moving toward sustainability. There is no other way; we must share resources in a sustainable manner rather than exploiting one side and neglecting the other. Sustainability is being deeply ingrained into our economic systems.

As a sustainability enthusiast, I feel that it is very important to find your niche, identify gaps and opportunities in a particular field, and build a sustainable business model; or join a company that shares the same vision. There are no shortcuts to sustainability; it requires dedicated effort due to the extensive damage that we have created over the years. New age companies are recognizing the value of sustainability to survive. Even the government is coming up with plans to reduce carbon emissions and meet international commitments, such as the Paris Climate Accord. This is the era for sustainability. Briefly the journey of human civilisations has been – Hunter gatherers to Agriculture to Industrialization and now, we are moving towards Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Industrialization.

Aishwarya Muriki Author

Career Stories

Career Stories: Chapter 24

21st September 202328th September 2023 Academia Plus

In this chapter of Career Stories, we bring you the story of Vivek Mishra, who is the founder and CEO of Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt. Ltd. In this candid chat, he talks at length about his entrepreneurial journey, what went into building his venture and the lessons he learnt and took with himself from the Academia to the Industry.

What lessons did you learn from your undergraduate course in Pharmacy and Management and how did you incorporate both in establishing this start-up?

I was an average student with decent skills during my college days. I realised later that I was always instrumental in getting things done during my undergraduate days, even if it was something as simple as a mass bunk. I had the skill to percolate things. Now, after a decade, I can relate to it, but back then, I was unaware. With the goal of being financially independent, I wanted to pursue a masters in Pharmacy. However, an incident later led me to pursue an MBA. Even though I pursued an MBA, I ended up being in research and running a hardcore research-driven company. Looking back, probably I played by my strengths unknowingly. I was good at managing things, consequently, pursuing a management degree provided the foundation for my career. Today, my management degree enables me to make a significantly greater impact on people’s lives and address a wider range of issues, surpassing what I could have achieved with an M.Pharm. Some pivotal lessons I learned from my graduation are- identifying an area of interest, the main skill set, how to communicate effectively, and how to utilise that to create an impact in people’s lives. Engaging in such speculation at an early stage will aid in making an informed decision about choosing a career path, instead of simply succumbing to herd mentality and feeling compelled to pursue an MBA or Ph.D. just because others are doing so.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, life is just about exploring and figuring out what you will enjoy doing. Prior to making a decision, it is essential to consider these factors with a 5-to-10-year outlook in mind. After my MBA, I worked for two other firms, British Biologicals, and Metahelix LifeSciences. Eventually, Fibroheal was established in the year 2017.

You mentioned you worked in a few companies before this start-up. What made you start something of your own venture?

My motivation was straightforward. I wanted to solve a problem. Everybody has had a wound that takes a while to recover, whether it was a cut, an injury, or a bruise. I wanted to find a solution to this problem. As a Pharmacy graduate, I have consistently been captivated by the realms of biomaterials, wounds, and surgical materials during my academic journey. These topics have continuously piqued my curiosity and kept me engaged in exploring their various facets. There’s a popular saying that action is the foundational key to all success. Similarly, the increased frequency of things in my life can be attributed to my motivation and willingness to take action. As a specific example, I began encountering more information about silk. My lack of knowledge about silk led me to explore this versatile biomaterial. When I went to buy a saree for my mother, I discovered the process of reeling and the variety of silks available. We also ran into a lot of people who were into this idea as well. For instance, we met Bharat, who had founded an animal healthcare firm, Vetcare. He shared our interest in silk and connected us with a prominent plastic surgeon; this was the catalyst for the creation of Fibroheal. It is rightly said that when people who share similar interests and energy come together it leads to fresh perspectives of solving a problem. Having worked in a professional setup, I approached Fibroheal with a solve-one-problem-at-a-time strategy. This led to the growth of Fibroheal and created an impact. During the start-up’s establishment, I was not clear where I was heading. Nevertheless, I was certain that silk is a remarkable biomaterial as supported by several publications and studies. The sole clarity we had was conducting research related to silk and, eventually, executing it. This is how we got to where we are now.

Based on your experience, can you please give us a step-by-step process of how to go about a start-up idea, especially in science?

Firstly, you have to identify in which field you’d like to dedicate your next ten years. I won’t say 30 years or a lifetime, but at least 10 years, because building a good sustainable company that offers a healthy work culture requires dedication. Fibroheal is now in its sixth year. After identifying the field, you need to ascertain whether there is a market demand or whether you possess the patience or potential to establish a new market. Every mother feels that her child is wonderful. Similarly, you may perceive your technology as excellent. However, it is essential to critically analyse the market acceptance. Identifying industry pain points is crucial for the successful adoption of your science, technology, or product. This is called the inversion strategy which involves looking at a problem backwards.

Post which you can come up with solutions for that particular problem. It can be a direct product to the customer, to hospitals, to academia or research, or even self-service. At this stage, the execution of a concept is a crucial component. Initially, how and at what speed you are executing will not be clear. Think of it like carrying a candle in a dark forest. Once you take the first step, the subsequent steps and the path forward will be visible. No mentor or expert will be able to assist you in this process since it demands a leap of faith. They will only come for the post-mortem to show you what went wrong.

Once you have a good understanding of it, you should obtain a patent or an Intellectual Property Right (IPR) to protect it.

You mentioned in a previous interview the importance of networking in start-up. What other skills are necessary at a graduate level and master’s level and how can one acquire these skills?

Networking is a crucial skill in this field, but it can be a double-edged sword, serving both as an agonist and an antagonist. In this industry, professionals are always eager to explore fresh ideas and innovative solutions. As a platform catering to students and connecting academia with the industry, I can draw a parallel with a similar experience. For instance, if either I or my HR team receives a CV (Curriculum vitae) that solely highlights previous professional experiences, we probably won’t respond. On the contrary, when individuals express their interest in your work and emphasise all pertinent facts and figures, the situation is different. In our case, the prevalence of diabetes, ulcers, and wounds in India, and how Fibroheal impacts wound healing both in India and globally creates a lasting impression. When there is a vacancy, we typically search for CVs using specific keywords. Therefore, customising your CV to match the employer’s requirements can significantly boost your chances of being accepted. However, it is essential to acknowledge that there might be an 80% gap between your past work experiences and the specific needs of the company. There is a difference between academic standards and industry standards since the industry is more practical and solution-oriented. Employers will look at the email from a fresh perspective if you include the major problems faced by the industry, market research, and if possible a potential solution to it. Even when highly qualified candidates with Ph.D. or Post-Doc backgrounds apply, some of the key criteria that industries consider may be missing in their applications.

To use the area of wound healing as an example, we know that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been utilised for years owing to its antibacterial property. So, you can come up with some applications of it, like nanoparticles, which can be integrated into our products. This shows your inclination towards doing something which is not just a mere job. There are plenty of organisations that will give you a job, but if you want to make an impact, there are only a few, and you need to actively seek out individuals who possess these problem-solving capabilities.

It is an asset to be constantly upbeat and full of energy since employers today are seeking people with a lot of excitement and energy. When you are optimistic and energetic, possibilities will start to present themselves. Instead of boasting about your accomplishments, talk about what the firm is doing and emphasise how you will strengthen their team. After the ‘Start-up India‘ movement, there has been a noticeable rise in various industry-related events such as seminars, workshops, and conferences taking place not only in Tier-I but also in Tier-II cities. These platforms serve to address and discuss current developments within the industry. Overthere you can interact with people who are solving some genuine problems which can be environmental or even day-to-day issues like traffic-related problems. Interacting with those who are skilled at solving problems will help you acquire the skill to recognise a specific issue and come up with a logical solution. To establish a stronger connection with these people, you might also apply to volunteer as a student at a college.

What does team building for a start-up constitute? Any nuggets of wisdom on how to go about that?

Each department must be extremely transparent in order to build a team. R&D asserts that they have the solution, but production raises the question of what happens if the goods aren’t provided. Sales claims that without their efforts, there won’t be any revenue from sales. Marketing, on the other hand, takes responsibility for all marketing and communication efforts that drive sales. Meanwhile, finance asks what the plan is if they can’t secure the necessary funds. We cannot decide which department is the best. In my opinion, all the departments are like the five fingers, and if you can bring them all together to form a fist, you can create a great business. In order to achieve a shared vision, complete openness and honesty are crucial among all departments. The company’s name, reputation, solutions, and products should be the first priority over individual interests. To foster unity, transparency is essential, and regular meetings are necessary to encourage open communication and resolve any potential disputes effectively. For instance, if an employee needs to visit a bank during business hours, they can inform their respective department head and arrange to compensate for the missed time on another day. This highlights the importance of open communication within every team and organisation. Additionally, to foster a healthy work culture, it is essential to address employees’ needs, such as ensuring timely and regular compensation- an aspect that is often overlooked in many start-ups.

What does a typical day as the CEO of Fibroheal look like?

I start my day usually between 9-9:30 with a cup of green tea. On Saturdays, I am out in the field meeting customers, clients, and various vendors. Every other day, we have a meeting with the departmental heads where there is a face-to-face discussion. Production will question R&D, R&D will question marketing, and marketing will question finance. These meetings are devoid of formalities, as expected in professional set-ups. These are conducted in vernacular languages and are called scrums. As a result, any task has a two-day turnaround time since everyone is accountable to one another. For instance, if you suggested something today and it isn’t completed by tomorrow, it will be addressed in the meeting the day after tomorrow.

After this I answer emails. One of the rules I follow is to leave 50% to 60% of my time free in case any department needs me. A crucial aspect I prioritise in my daily activities is reserving time for a broader perspective. For example, currently, I oversee a team of 40 employees but aspire to expand it to 80. I understand that focusing solely on the existing 40 won’t allow for the successful integration of the additional 40. As a result, my daily schedule doesn’t follow a fixed blueprint. A significant portion of my time is dedicated to meeting people and ensuring that no problem is overlooked or left unresolved. My approach is to find solutions to challenges, and if necessary, take a decision to close the matter. I frequently have meetings with clients, customers, and vendors. I am also up to date with what’s happening in this field of study. We have to accept the fact that even the ‘Chief Everything Officer’ is not aware of everything. At the end of the day, he is also a human being who has his own shortfalls and weaknesses. To ensure progress in these areas, I actively engage with individuals who are contributing to the growth of the company. Through increased interactions, we identify weaknesses and brainstorm solutions together. Generally, we call it a day at 6 pm. We ensure nobody stays after that. Working beyond 6:30 PM implies a waste of the company’s resources. This is what a typical day in my life looks like.

What challenges do you face in your professional career and how do you overcome them?

One of the most significant challenges I encounter is effectively managing individual egos. While other issues like funding, approvals, and regulations can be addressed, dealing with human egos is a complex cognitive process that impacts everyone to some degree. It’s common for each person to firmly believe they are right, and this can create obstacles in the decision-making process. Furthermore, at Fibroheal, I encourage a culture where every individual is free to approach me with their perspectives and provide logical reasoning to challenge my choices. Additionally, if someone wishes to resign, I respect their decision, as mutual respect between everyone is crucial, and it can only be achieved through open communication.

Dealing with the complexities of human emotions and aligning everyone towards a common goal is indeed the most significant challenge we face in our organisation. And, fostering a culture of openness, respect, and constant communication can help us overcome that.

What piece of advice would you like to give college graduates who want to become an entrepreneur?

Drawing upon my personal experience, I believe that focus is paramount. Maintaining laser-like focus in all your endeavours is crucial. Sometimes, it might take six months or even a year of consistent effort before seeing tangible results. However, if you persist and continue working on the same thing, the outcomes can be exceptional, setting you apart from most people. Having faith in what you pursue and trusting your gut instincts are essential. Your passion and interests should be guided by your intuition, so follow them with confidence. As a student, it’s natural to make mistakes, and I advise those in their 20s and early 30s to embrace this phase of life and make as many mistakes as possible. Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities, and the cost of making them is relatively low until around the age of 30 to 35, after which they can become fairly expensive. When someone asserts something as true, don’t simply accept it at face value; take the initiative to verify it yourself. Even if you don’t immediately find the answer, the process of seeking knowledge is valuable and contributes to your growth. Embrace the journey of discovery, and don’t be discouraged by occasional misses along the way.

Another crucial aspect is being open to trying out new ideas and embracing the possibility of failure. It’s important not to fear failure because even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always a valuable lesson to be learned. Maintaining an optimistic outlook and learning from failures are vital traits to cultivate. As human beings, our decisions won’t always yield the desired outcomes. However, we should view failure positively as it offers opportunities for growth. In any given situation, if we attempt ten things, it’s likely that six or seven of them will be successful. The challenge lies with the two or three that may not work out as intended. Nonetheless, achieving a success rate of 60-70% is quite commendable and is what we refer to as the ‘Law of wasted efforts.‘ Until the law of wasted efforts reaches 30%, the situation remains favourable and serves as a valuable lesson. For instance, when a tiger hunts its prey, it successfully catches it only around 30% of the time. As entrepreneurs, we should understand and adhere to the law of wasted efforts. It means acknowledging that the path we choose will have its share of failures that we must accept and overcome, in order to succeed.

Furthermore, adapting to changing times and situations is essential. When I started Fibroheal, the goal was to focus on healing burns specifically. However, as we progressed, we expanded our scope to healing wounds in general, embracing a broader objective. Looking back at the initial 2017 objective, one might argue that it was not fully achieved, but that doesn’t imply failure. Unexpected events like the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, posing unforeseen challenges, yet it made our organisation even stronger. Surviving a pandemic for two years demonstrates resilience, and it gives confidence that the business can withstand and overcome future challenges. Remaining open to such situations and being receptive to new opportunities is crucial. Staying focused, committed, not letting failure deter you, and being willing to try out different approaches, even if they lead to mistakes, are valuable pieces of advice I would like to share with students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Embracing adaptability and a willingness to evolve can lead to long-term success and growth in any venture.

Sonam Shinde Author

Career Stories

Career Stories: Chapter 22

7th September 20238th September 2023 Academia Plus

In this chapter of Career Stories, we bring you the story of Saloni Godbole, who is a scientist-turned entrepreneur. In this candid chat, she talks about her journey as a scientist as well as an entrepreneur and shares insights on how one can embark upon the journey of entrepreneurship in life sciences.

Please take us through your journey. Tell us about your childhood, what motivated you to take Science, study Microbiology?

You have taken me back 10 years from now to when the decisions of choosing a career took place. I was a pretty average to good student in school, who was very active and present – someone the teachers loved and I also in turn liked my teachers. I didn’t like math, so I knew one thing for sure- that when I grew up, I would not be getting into engineering! I always had an idea about my skills and abilities and was very active in extracurricular activities such as painting and handicraft. In fact, till 9th std I wanted to be an artist and I had almost decided to take up fine arts as my career. However, one fine day it struck me that painting is more of a mood-centric hobby that I won’t be able to take up as a job, or an obligation. Then I thought of the second option that I was good at – and that was biology. Thus, with some advice from my mom, I decided to keep art as a hobby and took up science after my 10th standard. 11th and 12th standard were easier as well as interesting- I got introduced to terms like DNA, RNA, microbes, genetic engineering. Eventually through discussions with family friends and acquaintances, I realised that I was more inclined towards microbiology than biotechnology, and that was a subject that could provide me with a strong basis to study biotechnology later on. Hence, I took up microbiology as my bachelors degree. After my bachelors degree I realised that I loved the subject and hence pursued my masters in the same subject.

After my masters, I had realised that the way the subjects are taught in college is not enough to be able to earn a PhD position abroad. So, I took up an internship at Tata Memorial Cancer Research Institute where I was exposed to hardcore research. That experience made me realize that it is not only research that I am looking for– but it is actually applied research. I would not want to only arrive at some conclusions and keep writing research papers, but would like to convert my knowledge into technology that is useful for the masses. That’s when I also realized that I do not need to pursue a PhD immediately and began my journey as a bioscience entrepreneur!

Could you elaborate more on your specific interest in applied research and the realization of not wanting to pursue research in basic sciences?

My coursework during my Bachelors required me to take up a project in the last semester which introduced me to research. What interested me was the fact that in research you take up a problem statement and you arrive at your own ways for solving it. There is no formula here. And while there are certain methods that you follow, there is no right or wrong answer in research; there is always observation and analysis. Later, during my masters I pursued research on biosurfactants producing microbes and we created a technology which an industry actually bought from our college- that’s where I got the initial motivation to convert research into products!

As mentioned before, my internship at Tata Memorial Cancer Research Institute after my masters, also made me realize further that I do not want to pursue pure research. I also realized that in government institutes in India, scientists get a lot of funding to do research, but a most of those funds are channelized towards presenting research papers. So it made me wonder– ‘why is it that in spite of getting funding we are not able to create something which is applicable?’ That is what triggered my interest in developing a product of my own.

How was the idea of Occamy Biosciences born? What were the challenges you faced and how did you address them?

Six months before I left the Tata Memorial Cancer Research Institute, I had already started thinking of starting a company, and therefore engaged myself in networking and finding the right kind of people. Fortunately, there was a senior scientist who also wanted to do something of his own. So, I started talking to him and realized that we both could start a company together- my lack of experience could be compensated by him guiding me. We completed the legal process of registering the company in August 2018. The initial journey was quite tough- we were very naive, didn’t know the nature of the company that should be formed, the guidelines etc.

Since we did not have our own research at that point, we approached scientists who were engaged in developing technologies and bought the technologies from them. We also did extensive analysis of the kind of research and work that was taking place in research institutions- trying to understand whether there was any convertible solution there, especially in places like cancer diagnostics, therapy and drugs.

Then, my co-founder suggested that we should get into the animal husbandry domain because it’s a very neglected domain in India and it’s not as complicated as cancer biology. The idea was that any product which could be made for animals will also sell faster and in turn give us the money required to run our daily operations. However, there were still a lot of challenges- such as setting up a factory, looking for a place, apply for funding/loans from the government etc.

Eventually, we got a loan sanctioned from the bank and built a manufacturing unit. This was March 2020- and while we were all ready to start manufacturing, COVID struck the world. After the pandemic subsided, we did not operate for 3-4 months and suffered some losses.

Looking back, there were many difficulties that came our way but because we were passionate about doing something we went on facing everything with patience and that’s how the journey began. Now we will be entering our fifth year and we are growing as a company.

Can you tell us more about Occamy Biosciences?

Occamy was started with a vision that we are Scientist turned Entrepreneurs. So the idea was to start a company by scientists to come up with scientifically proven products. Our main forte is to come up with products by doing research on the science behind it, prove it within the Indian scenario and bring it to the end-users. If you look at the word ‘Occamy’ it is the name of a character from the series- Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts. Occamy is a peacock-like creature in the series which has all attributes that we would want to associate ourselves with- it is Indian by nature, very original and has the ability to change its size based on its surroundings. So the name resonates with us and our approach of running the company.

The first thing we made was protein supplements for animals. Because we realized that there are a lot of supplements that fulfill a human’s nutritional requirements but there are no such supplements available for animals. After doing some extensive research, we developed products, got them tested and started working with farmers. The first range of products we have created is for cattles – to improve animal productivity and the quality of milk.

Now, apart from animal related nutrition products, we are doing a lot of research to come up with products for humans as well.

Can you describe an incident from your workplace that is really close to you?

During the initial period when we were testing our products, we went to a farmer in Mumbai to give him a trial product to try it on his animal. His buffalo was giving really low milk and it was very old and hence no longer profitable to the farmer. So he was going to give it up for culling. We requested him to try our product for 4-5 days and that if there was no improvement, then he could go ahead with his initial decision. So he agreed and just in four days the health improved so much that the buffalo started giving milk better than what it was. After seeing the benefits of the feed on the animal, he decided to keep it for one more year. This incident made me realize that our work could benefit someone on such a grassroot level.

Another such incident was where there was one old cow which was just lying around, completely losing its hair and skin. With the incorporation of our feed, the health of that cow improved.

There were also some instances when we realized our products have helped improve the quality of milk, which is indirectly also improving human health. There are cases in which adulteration in milk is also causing cancer because milk is adulterated with the chemicals, that the animals are injected with. So somewhere we are trying to reduce these practices, reducing the instances of cancer and other diseases due to adulteration. If we see the impact it really gives us goosebumps and ensures that although it will take some time, we have to be on this path.

What were your thoughts staring out? Did you feel doubtful about entering into the journey of entrepreneurship?

I actually didn’t know that it was something unique. I did it because I liked doing it. In those times, I just followed my heart–something I always wanted to do. When it came to business, initially there were so many times that I really doubted myself. Because until and unless there is financial success you always doubt yourself. The career choices that we make are usually dictated by the money and the lifestyle we want to give to ourselves and our family. There were so many challenges that we faced especially during COVID when our funds were stranded. Meanwhile my friends were growing in their life, having good employment, job security. They were getting married, having children; everything was so wonderful for them. So when there is comparison there is always self doubt. But what worked in my favor is that I’m quite self motivated. More importantly, in my college days I came across practicing meditation. That was a very big support system for me, especially during the pandemic. It really helped me and was the reason that self doubt never really poisoned me. It takes patience and you have to be very persevering. But when you see people appreciating you, that gives you hope.

You have transitioned through different roles in your career. How did you acclimatise yourself through these transitions?

When I started the company I was very naive and I did not know how to behave like a cofounder or a director. I was just being myself. I had a natural inclination of being an entrepreneur. I think it came from my grandparents. Both my grandmothers are very enterprising. With whatever they did they had a business mindset. I think, I somewhere imbibed that mindset to sell – whether it is my art or anything else that I created,

I missed doing research a lot in the initial times when I was not in touch with the lab. I missed that environment of constantly being curious and patient, being okay when your results fail. But I believe that all the skills that are required to become an entrepreneur were developed during my training as a scientist. Becoming an entrepreneur is easy if you are a science student. I firmly believe that life in science teaches you everything you need to become an entrepreneur. So becoming one was easy. But it was in the last two years when I was exposed to other people, startups, and business, that is when I realized that there are certain skills I’m good at and certain skills that I need to really develop to be at par with everyone out there. So I started working on my own self as a cofounder, as an entrepreneur. Till then I was just going with the flow. I’ve taken a lot of effort to understand how business works, what entrepreneurship really is and what it means to be a woman in business. There are so many other things that came to me in the last few years through which the actual learning of being an entrepreneur happened. It was a time taking process but the transition happened gradually. You need to put a lot of effort on yourself to move through the transition.

What do you like the most about being an entrepreneur in your field? What keeps you motivated?

The best part about being an entrepreneur is having the independence to be your own boss. However, it’s a double-edged sword. You have to always keep yourself motivated and ensure that you are on the right track.

My personality is such that I cannot work under someone. I have my own ideas. I can incorporate suggestions but I have to ensure things are done in a particular way only. So with my nature, I realize that being an entrepreneur is the only way because entrepreneurship gives me the openness, and the freedom to be myself; to lead my own self as well as people who are working with me. That is what I love about entrepreneurship.

What motivates me is the fact that we are doing something for the environment, society, for everyone. By doing small things, albeit, over a longer period of time, we are able to create a larger impact on the society. Our work is to make high quality products and ensure that it reaches the farmers. What happens later due to this– the benefits for animals, farmers, society and environment, is the impact that we create. When we look at the benefits and the money we get by doing something that we feel good doing, we feel that we are on the right track.

This is what inspires me everyday–the fact that we are able to do something for our country and for the animals around us. So when we think of the larger picture, that’s motivating.

According to you, what can be done to encourage more women to take up entrepreneurship roles?

I had talked about this recently at the Indian Women’s Science Association-I would think about the changes in two ways: firstly in girls/women, and secondly in the surroundings. According to me the women need to change themselves in a manner that they become confident of who they are. Being confident does not mean being rude. It is about being compassionate yet being strong to fight for what you believe in. Women have to realize if they really are enterprising, which I think they are and they need to explore more.

When it comes to surroundings whether it is society, parents, circumstances, they should also be more open. What society can do is– make it easy for women. For example; you will not see women working in rural areas, because there are no washrooms, no hygienic toilets and no safety. So the surroundings need to change, become more open for women to travel and should be safe and hygienic so that women can explore different places and also get the job done.

Very often it’s also a taboo that women will not get proper marriage proposals if they are into business because no man wants a dominating wife. People should understand that we are not bossing around in our houses, we already are a boss in our office. We can differentiate our family life and our work life. The men should be more supportive; they should be open to doing household chores that would reduce the women’s workload.

So if a rise in entrepreneurship happens, it would be because there is change in the society and in women as well. Now we are in an era where a lot of women are turning towards entrepreneurship.

However, it is first essential to understand ourselves and ask ourselves- Is entrepreneurial approach really our way? Is it something that interests us? It is only when the path truly interests us, that one should become an entrepreneur, not just because everyone around us is becoming one. In a startup not everyone is a leader; you need followers, managers, and everyone in the team plays different roles. So we need to understand whether we are a leader, follower or manager. Some people have really good ideas and they know how to manage people and get the work done. Some of us are good followers; so if there is a command given, we can follow it excellently. Those people are also needed in the team. So let us be confident with who we are and love ourselves for being what we are. Then there will naturally be more startups, entrepreneurs whether it is women, men or anyone else.

Please tell us about your work as a meditation trainer at Heartfulness Institute. How has this practice helped you professionally and personally?

I was first introduced to meditation by a college teacher who I admired. During that time I did it for the sake of it. But then I came across the Heartfulness Institute for meditation. They did a session in our college after which my mom noticed a lot of change in me. Eventually, my mom got interested in it and I was also willing to give it a chance.

At Heartfulness Institute after the introduction of the practice, there are trainers who act like your buddies. You can ask them your doubts, and also meditate with them. My trainer, who was a laser scientist from Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) was a very good inspiration for me. Seeing a scientist practicing meditation inspired me that in future if I want to be a successful scientist I also need to practice meditation. I started going to her and eventually my mom also joined. Slowly we both started seeing a lot of positive changes in us- our sleep cycles and our thought patterns improved. We got a lot of clarity about the work that we were doing. I had an opportunity to volunteer as a trainer in 2016, and that experience was also quite helpful.

I liked the Heartfulness way of meditation because it is based on a scientific approach. It is based on experience- one does it only if they find it useful after a first-hand experience. Because the approach was logical, I followed it. With all the difficulties I had in my career, I was able to make the right decision because of having clarity of thought due to meditation.

Apart from this, a lot of character-building also takes place due to meditation- so that even when things are turbulent around us, we can be at peace. When I started working and having employees, they liked my approach as a mentor-which made me realize that this indeed works! The courage that I have to start a company, the clarity and confidence, are qualities I never had in me before- Heartfulness brought these changes in me. I find myself to be a very evolved person then what I was in college. Meditation empowers me and that’s why I kept doing it.

What career advice would you like to give to students based on your experience?

Take your parents’ help while making decisions related to your career. If your parents are not equipped enough, then you can consult their friend circles, or anyone else that is relevant, but always keep talking to people who are in a domain of expertise that you want to go to. That will give you a lot of clarity.

Also, try to understand what it is that you really like to do; something that your heart desires. All of us have an inclination towards something– whether it is history, music or art. Identify what you love. Ask yourself what activities, topics or tasks make you lose track of time or bring you immense satisfaction. If you have found such a thing, that is something you would want to do as a career. For example, you can be a consultant if you’re good at advising. Find out what you’re good at, keep questioning your own ideas and interests, talk to your friends and discuss with them.

And more importantly it is okay if you are clueless. But if you are clueless and you have to make decisions at that moment, take broader decisions that will allow you to have multiple options in the future. Keep all options open until you realize what you like.

Start by exploring the world around you. By exposing yourself to a variety of experiences, people and ideas you increase the chances of discovering something that truly sparks your interest. Use the internet for the right reasons. Somewhere there will be something that interests you. You can explore it more and maybe then you’ll find your way!

Siddhi Bodke Author

Tag: Entrepreneurship

Career Stories: Chapter 30

Career Stories: Chapter 28

Career Stories: Chapter 26

Career Stories: Chapter 24

Career Stories: Chapter 22