Dr. Tripti Bhatnagar, a visionary entrepreneur and educator, is the Founder and Managing Director of Codon Biotech LLP, pioneering affordable biotechnology education and empowering students with practical learning experiences.
In a one-on-one interview with Decision Maker, Tripti provided insights into her entrepreneurial journey, her brand, the obstacles she encountered, and numerous other inspiring aspects.
Q: Tell us a bit about how you ventured into entrepreneurship? What sparked that journey for you?
I am a Scientist, Researcher, and Teacher at heart. After my PhD, I became the Head of Biotech department in a college. Biotechnology is a very expensive science where practical and research require a lot of finances. So, students are not allowed to perform experiments individually. And, if students are not proficient in experimentation, they would have difficulty in being placed and finding jobs. Practical and experimentation are the backbone of Biotechnology. Thus, being passionate about Biotechnology and biological sciences and providing the students with in-depth knowledge and experimentation, lead me to become an entrepreneur and start my own company. I developed & marketed cost-effective and cheap Biotechnology practical Kits which could be used for experiments by students. I also developed laboratory infrastructure where students could learn and perform all experimentation individually.”
Q: How is it different from other companies?
Codon Biotech is different from other Biotech companies because of the amalgamation of different business verticals. The Biotechnology and biology related kits developed by my company are readily provided at a very short notice and at low costs so that major practical can be easily taught to students in Schools and colleges. The other vertical of skill development is also done at individual and personal level so that each and every student feels at home with all the learning and knowledge. This helps the student to become motivated, passionate and skilled in their life for future job placements. The students are encouraged to do original research and come out with new products and processes which have potential of marketing.
Q: Throw some light on your business and its offerings.
My business involves different aspects of Biotechnology, microbiology, Forensic sciences, immunology, proteomics, bioinformatics etc. The company manufactures and markets self-developed Experimental kits in the above subjects to colleges and schools. We also manufacture and market our own indigenous Adulteration detection kits Pan India. The company has 2 laboratories were students of B.Sc., M.Sc., B.Tech. MTech students are provided with skill developed to provide students with better placement options. The company received 2 government grants for 5 years from BIRAC for developing process for conversion of waste to value-added products. The company does contract research projects for other institutes and companies. The company also provides formulation for waste treatment.
Q: How challenging is it for a woman to start/ or associate with any company?
It is a very challenging task for a woman to start and manage a company on her own. Many male counterparts do not take a woman seriously thus, it becomes difficult to arrange meetings dealing with financial aspects. For me it was a difficult aspect to manage and start a business because I am a biology student who hates accounts and math.
Q: Have you faced any unusual situations doing business in India as a female entrepreneur?
I had just started my business and initially I was doing a large part of the marketing myself. I had gone to one of the Dean of a government institution. I explained all our products and services to him. He listened to me for the whole time and then said that I should leave all the business and marketing work to my husband and should manage my own home. I was so, so very angry about his chauvinist words and thoughts. From that day, I doubled my resolve to make my company a success.
Q: How do you achieve work-life balance?
For me work-life balance has always been easy because of my awesome Joint family and my employees. I have very dedicated employees who have always given their 100% for the company. My, family has also always supported me and I never had to worry about my Kids when in Office.
Q: Did you have a mentor to guide you through your professional journey?
No, I did not have any mentor to guide me through my whole journey. I was always very passionate about providing the students with all the possible guidance, experience and knowledge. And I think my passion to do more and better for my clients has always given me success, growth and satisfaction.
Q: What is the roadmap of your organization?
When I started the Codon Biotech, my aim was to create innovative products and services which would help Biotechnology students to get placement and become successful in their lives. My aim is still the same, even though after the Covid phase the growth of the company has slowed down.
Q: What advice would you give to other female entrepreneurs who want to thrive in a male-dominated industry?
My advice to other female entrepreneurs is that: Create your own destiny; you have just one life. Creation gives the best fulfillment and gratification. Do not get distracted by comforts and easy money. Life is full of ups and downs – learn to love a challenge.
Q: Describe the most memorable incident of your professional life.
I do not have one memorable incidence. I have many memorable incidences. The memorable incidents of my professional life are those days when my students come back to meet me after getting placed in different companies or when some of them start a new venture and come to meet me and thank me for all the knowledge and guidance provided by me to make them successful in life. I love to hear them tell me that I am the best teacher they have ever come across in their whole lives.
Q: How would you like people to remember you and your company?
I would like to be remembered as a mentor and guide and a TO-GO person. Codon Biotech should be remembered as a company where every team member gave 100% of their expertise, passion and knowledge to students and other clients to make them successful in life.
This comprehensive interview provides a glimpse into the inspiring journey of Dr. Tripti Bhatnagar, a trailblazer in the field of biotechnology education, and the remarkable strides of Codon Biotech LLP in shaping the future of biotechnology in India.
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