She Started Her Company With Rs 10,000 From A Garage; Today, Her Fortune Is Over Rs 24,000 Crore

Kiran Mazumdar was born on March 23, 1953, in Bangalore, Karnataka state. Her parents were of Gujarati descent. She received her education at Bishop Cotton Girl's High School in Bangalore, graduating in 1968. Following that, she enrolled at Mount Carmel College, a women's college affiliated with Bangalore University, where she pursued pre-university courses. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw initially aspired to become a doctor. However, due to limited opportunities in the medical field, she pursued a degree in zoology. She later studied malting and brewing from Melbourne University in Australia. She became the master brewer.

With a passion for science and a desire to contribute to society, Mazumdar-Shaw decided to venture into the biotechnology sector. In 1978, with a seed capital of just Rs 10,000 and a small garage as a laboratory, she founded Biocon Limited. Mazumdar-Shaw faced numerous challenges, including skepticism from investors and the prevailing notion that biotechnology was a risky business. However, she remained determined and focused on her goal of making affordable healthcare solutions accessible to all.

Biocon's initial ventures involved the extraction of papain, an enzyme derived from papaya that is utilized for meat tenderization, and isinglass, a substance obtained from tropical catfish that is employed for beer clarification. 

Remarkably, within a year, Kiran Mazumdar's company became the first to successfully export these enzymes to both the United States and Europe. As a result of this early success, she decided to relocate her factory from a tin shed to a spacious 20-acre property.

Under Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's leadership, Biocon made significant strides in the field of biopharmaceuticals, particularly in developing cost-effective drugs for diseases like cancer and diabetes. Mazumdar-Shaw's visionary approach and commitment to innovation propelled Biocon's growth, eventually transforming it into one of India's leading biotechnology companies. Shaw's current fortune is around Rs 24,800 crore.

Today, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is not only recognized as a successful entrepreneur but also as a philanthropist and a strong advocate for affordable healthcare and women empowerment. Her journey from a garage laboratory to leading a globally renowned biotech firm is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and showcases the transformative power of determination, innovation, and social impact.