Within a few minutes of talking to her, it’s easy to understand why AnuAcharya, founder and former CEO of Ocimum Biosolutions is so successful. Now the CEO at mapmygenome.in that she founded,not only is Acharya undeniably sharp, eloquent and well-spoken, she’s also refreshingly objective and honest. Since 2000 when she co-founded Ocimum Biosolutions, a genomics software and services company, with Subash Lingareddy and Sujata Pammi, she has lived the life of a superstar entrepreneur. For one, the 120-people Ocimum, which is based out of Delaware, United States and Hyderabad, India has developed expertise in niche genomics areas such as lab automation, bio research design, data analysis and bio consulting. In both 2010 and 2011, it was named the Best Bioinformatics Company in India. Moreover, Acharya, an IIT Kharagpur alumnus and a double master's in physics and information systems from the University of Illinois, has personally been recognised for her contribution to genetics and entrepreneurship. Most notably, she was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011. Undoubtedly, her achievements go beyond creating a right product, and finding it the right market. So, we got her to tell us how she mapped this journey. Acharya delved deep into her experiences to put out her formula—and how more women can master these rules. 

There’s a lot of subtle bias when it comes to women, and you often need the right introduction to be able to get over that. 

Build Relationships
When we began Ocimum about 12-13 years back, I was a Physics graduate who had started a company in biomedics. Of course, this required getting the hang of the technical expertise in the field of biomedics. But, equally importantly, it also necessitated creating a network of contacts from the ground-up in an industry I earlier had no experience in. So, I started networking— actively—from day one. I understood that even with the best product in the world we couldn’t be successful if we didn’t go to the right market, and make the right connections. So, I made a conscious effort to network, both physically in terms of attending events and conferences, and digitally. It was interesting, to say the least—people weren’t used to seeing a young woman in her 20s at all the industry conferences and forums. In fact, I had almost a regimented routine to spend a few hours a day on LinkedIn, for example—to write to or try and meet all the translational medicine professionals working in big pharma companies. My co-founders thought it was a waste of time. But, I held on. Eventually, I began to see results.

I think it’s important to be there, and to be visible. It leads to acceptance, and I had people tell me that they accepted my invite, or agreed to meet me because I seemed to know everybody they knew. These contacts helped us a lot to generate leads. Both my other cofounders who were sceptical of this approach were also convinced when we started seeing results. I have to say doing this came easily to me. I’m outgoing and very open to having a discussion. It’s a core strength I’ve brought to the company. So, yes, absolutely, networking is hugely important. As a person, I’ve always been the centre point of my networks—be it friends from school and college, or former colleagues. Of course, creating a new industrynetwork is very different from making sure old friends meet up with each other. But, even after founding Ocimum, I didn't limit myself to meeting people and networking just for business although in the beginning it began like that. I realised early on that a great network does not work one way. For example, I began a Facebook page for women in IT. Forums such as these open dialogues, and you don't know what conversation or idea it can trigger off.

Anu Acharya's talks at TEDx Punea about genome sequencing. Her latest company mapmygenome.in decodes DNA tp provide a range of prognostics, diagnostics, and brain wellness solutions.

Don’t Leave, Stay Back
It’s true that most of the business deals do happen at the after-conference networking session, and drinks. I do believe that the difference between men and women entrepreneurs comes up most dramatically here. It's at this stage of the conference that most women leave. It's important to think about this—you might have gone to the conference, but is that enough? How do you get the most out of the conference? Maybe, I’ve been in an industry where there are not that many women and even from that pool, I’m usually one of the few women to stay back after the sessions wrap up to foster personal relationships, and talk as human beings. See, people start giving you business once they trust you, and are comfortable with you.

You might have competency but the eventual sale won’t happen till there is trust. This is a vital ingredient to building a long-lasting environment. Of course, it wasn't always fun or easy to do this. I’ve had several amusing and not-sopleasant experiences while networking at conferences. For instance, I’ve always been a furious business cardgiver. And, I remember one particular professor at a conference I was sitting and talking to refused to give me his  business card. He just wouldn’t share his card with me till some other people joined in the discussion, and one of them told him I was from IIT Kharagpur. It’s only then that he began to take me seriously.

Honestly, I’ve sometimes felt that I’ve lost out on certain opportunities because maybe I don’t play golf, or a round of tennis." - Anu Acharya 

There’s a lot of subtle bias when it comes to women, and you often need the right introduction to be able to get over that. I remember another similar instance when I was sitting in a stall at an exhibition we’d participated in. An older gentleman came and began talking to my male colleague who was at the stall with me, and told him how he’d met the company’s CEO at another event. My colleague was amused, and introduced me to the older gentleman. He was really taken aback. So often, I’ve seen that expression— that they didn’t expect to see a woman, and if they did see a woman, they didn’t expect to see such a young woman! A couple of times, these biases have been unpleasant. I remember losing my cool once at a gentleman. But, I’ve realised that it’s best not to get agitated. It's not going to help. Don’t take the bias personally— address it, definitely engage in a debate and conversation that is logical but don't make it about yourself. Most importantly, don't give up. Continue to show up and to stay back. Younger women today understand that it’s important to be around.

Honestly, I’ve sometimes felt that I’ve lost out on certain opportunities because maybe I don’t play golf, or a round of tennis—that I’m not a part of the old boys’ network. Yes, this exists. Although overall, there has been some change in the number of women one sees at conferences and events, the ratio is still pretty bad, both in India and the US where most of our clients are. It's possible that the ratio of women is slightly better in the US but it’s certainly nowhere close to being equitable even there. I’m hoping women can create their own girls’ network based on shared experiences and ambitions. I've become very conscious of playing my role in creating this network over the past few years. For example, I refuse to speak at events where younger women are not being given a chance to speak, or where an effort hasn’t been made to go beyond getting the staple names and not encouraging other women to come up. I remember being quite upset at the Pan-IIT Conclave which I was involved in organising for this reason.

I made a conscious effort to network by attending events and conferences, as well as digitally. I had a routine to spend a few hours a day on LinkedIn.”
- Anu Acharya 

Have Irreplaceable Passion
I know many women don’t want to be overtly ambitious because they think that will disturb their family life. My co-founder is like that. But, I had completely different ambitions. And, I’ve been fortunate to have a fantastic support infrastructure— both emotional and to raise my daughters, be it my mother, my mother-in-law or even my grandmotherin- law. Sometimes, the fear of not having this support is one of the prime reasons why women hold back. In fact, I’ve seen people get stuck at that point, and not be able to cross it. Here, being able to identify what you are passionate about is critical because then the above challenges don’t seem insurmountable. I’ve witnessed this personally.

Acharya says she is driven by reaching goals that don't seem reachable at the beginning, and then constantly re-setting new goals. It's a pace she is not apologetic about.

When I had my first baby, the company I worked for gave me a six-week maternity leave only. I was extremely upset about that. I didn't know how I would manage. But, when I had my younger daughter, I was working for myself. Two days after having her, I was itching to use my laptop and get back to work. When you love what you do, you react differently. Entrepreneurship is my passion. In fact, a young woman who heard me at a conference in Harvard University said she wanted to be like me, and do the  kind of exciting things I was doing. But, she said she was waiting to have enough money saved up before she jumped into creating her own ideas. I couldn’t help but tell her—if you want to do the kind of things I’m doing, you don’t do it for money. Entrepreneurship is about doing things with limited resources, and still enjoy them. It's the process, not the end. Just today I watched a video by British philosopher Alan Watts, the theme of which was “What Would You Do If Money Were No Object”. His point is simple—if you’re going to spend so much time doing something, it’s not possible to be good at it till you enjoy it.

Work Is Life, Life Is Work
Some phrases get attached to women in the workplace, and work-life balance is one of them. I don't dwell on this balance much as it forces one to separate work from life, and life from work. An entrepreneur has chosen a life that is her passion even though others might see it as work. I do admit that to others it might seem that my life has revolved around excesses. I'm driven by reaching goals that don't seem reachable when you begin, and then constantly re-setting new goals. I'm not apologetic about this pace. Over the years, I've realised that this is how I function. It’s the way of being and living that makes sense to me. Not everybody might think so, but it’s possible to build families and businesses together. Maybe because there are such few women founders that their experiences aren't visible. They get zoomed out. Today, in my new start-up, my daughters (aged 13 years and 6.5 years) are as involved as I am.