Ep. 265 - [Singapore] The Skills and Passion You Need for Food Tech with Durga Sathiakumar, COO of Shiok Meats

Today we’re interviewing Durgalakshmi Sathiakumar, or Durga for short. She’s the COO and first employee for Shiok Meats, one would say the most ahead of the cultivated meat ecosystem in Asia. It’s currently, in Series B and raised $21.5 million according to CB Insights and is valued around $99 million. Though a modest amount in United States standards, this is huge when it comes to Asia.

So I learned shiok is basically a term for deliciousness which embraces the focus of Shiok Meats as it is specifically headquartered in Singapore.

What was surprising is that Shiok actually does more than just shrimp. It’s also doing Wagyu beef thanks to an acquisition. Do they synergize? The answer’s fuzzy.

You’ll not only learn why Shiok focuses on seafood but also the perception on cultivated meat in Singapore, and we compare it to places in the United States. Though the data is ever-changing.

Durga herself gives some valuable advice on some of the skillsets you need in the industry as well as trying to find your ikagai, or purpose in life.

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