Good Bad Billionaire
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: Beer, brewing and biotech
Sep 9, 2024
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, India’s first self-made female billionaire, built her pharmaceutical empire Biocon after initially failing in the brewing industry. She shares her journey from childhood in a brewery compound to facing gender bias as a pioneer in biotech. Discover how she navigated challenges, pivoted to producing insulin, and became a global figure in pharmaceuticals. The discussion also touches on her philanthropic efforts in cancer care sparked by personal experiences, revealing the heart behind her success.
34:01
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Quick takeaways
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's transition from brewing to biotechnology exemplifies resilience against gender bias, leading her to build a pharmaceutical empire with Biocon.
- Her philanthropic efforts, including a cancer center and the Giving Pledge, highlight her commitment to combining business success with social impact.
Deep dives
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw's Early Challenges
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw faced significant challenges as a woman in the brewing industry during the 1970s in India. Despite her qualifications and training as a brew master, she was repeatedly turned down for jobs due to gender bias, leading her to pivot her career path. This experience of disillusionment was pivotal in shaping her journey as she transitioned from brewing to biotechnology, ultimately becoming a key player in India's biopharmaceutical sector. Shaw's resolve to overcome these hurdles exemplifies her strength and adaptability, which later contributed to her remarkable success with Biocon.
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