Good Bad Billionaire Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: Beer, brewing and biotech
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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.
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From Beer to Biotech
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's brewing background influenced her biotech career.
- Gender bias in the brewing industry led her to found Biocon.
Early Influences
- Kiran grew up in Bangalore, India, in a family that valued science and education.
- Her father, a brewmaster, encouraged her to study fermentation science.
Brewing Challenges
- Despite initial concerns, Kiran pursued brewing and graduated top of her class in Australia.
- She faced gender discrimination upon returning to India, hindering her job search.