“I learnt that business was about being emotionally driven about investing, but being emotionally detached when it came to divesting and that’s a very strong learning.” ~ Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Founder and Chairperson of Biocon Biochemicals Limited
Summary: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the founder and chairperson of Biocon India. She is the pioneer of biotechnology in India. Following her father’s footsteps, Kiran acquired a Master’s in brewing from Federation University, Australia. On returning to India she realized the hardship of acquiring a position of her choice in any company only because she was a woman. She established Biocon as an Indian Subsidiary of Biocon Biotechnology Limited, Ireland with a seed funding of INR 10,000. She fought her way through limited funding, difficulty of hiring employees, opening up an industry that India wasn’t familiar with all back in late 1970s. She has made significant contributions to the field of science and biotechnology which earned her the prestigious Othmer Gold Medal.
Nationality: Indian
Industry: Science & Philanthropy
Q: You’ve accomplished so much on your own. At this stage of your life, would you say there is a sense of completeness or is there still a sense of, you know, anxiety and hunger that a lot remains to be done? What is that sense that you have right now in life? on yourstory.com
A: No entrepreneur feels that they have come to the end of the road. I think an entrepreneur’s life is always a continuous journey. And, it’s really about milestones, rather than, you know, having a final destination. And I think as an entrepreneur we know that. We set off on a path not knowing where it will lead us.And therefore, we realize it’s a voyage of discovery. This voyage of discovery is a very exciting voyage, because it takes us to unknown destinations and makes new paths for us. So, that’s the journey of all us entrepreneurs.
