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The lady means business
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Anuradha Acharya’s tour de success has been rewarding. She tells Neeraja Murthywhy she will never stop dreaming
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Photos: Nagara Gopal
Spreading wings Anuradha Acharya reflects the successful face of young India
When Anuradha Acharya of Ocimum Biosolutions talks about the benefits of having a cappuccino maker in office, it is easy to forget, she holds the reigns of a company. And, when she diligently explains the process of brewing a hot cuppa, it is even easier to forget that behind the gentle façade lies an astute business woman, whose strength lies in her determination and dreams.
The thirty-something Anuradha represents the successful face of young India. As the founder CEO of Ocimum Biosolutions, a life sciences R&D enabling company at Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, she has put Hyderabad on the global map.
For Anuradha Acharya, dreams are milestones that you set to conquer. She grew up in a Marwari family and her professor father had a major influence on her.
“My father was a physics professor and would often record our interviews. He would even pay us for simple chores like ironing clothes,” she says. She got into IIT Kharagpur to pursue her higher education but was resolute to be an entrepreneur. “I knew the going would be tough but there was no wavering in my thoughts of being an entrepreneur,” she avers.
With another degree from University of Illinois, her stints in Mantiss Information and SEI Information, a consulting firm where she helped create a social networking site for entrepreneurs added to her resume.
Her major decision was to move from US to Hyderabad with her batchmate-turned-husband Subhash Lingareddy. “It was definitely a big move since we had a 10-month-old baby. But since my husband’s family is from the city, we decided to be together than to stay far away in the US,” The decision, however, paid off.
In 2000, her dream finally took shape in the form of Ocimum Biosolutions with her husband as the chief financial officer and P. Sujata, a friend and a co-founder of the company. “The talent for the company was hard to find in the city. Added to it was my non-biology background. We overcame all that and even trained youngsters interested in biosciences. We had a very good response but when the company got branded as a training institute, we had to stop it four years ago,” she remembers.
Anuradha considers her husband her biggest source of support. Says she, “We have clearly demarcated our duties but many-a-time we have to jump in each other’s shoes to keep things smooth. Since he is my friend first, running the company together has been a harmonious affair. And when your husband becomes your business partner, you can be sure that he is not going to run away with the money,” she says with a laugh.
Her corporate journey was never strewn with roses but her tough mind-set has kept her going. Her 1000-watt smile fills the room when she talks about Ocimum’s growth story, whose employees have increased from four to 200.
Ocimum delivers end genomic products and services out of three strategic locations and has completed three international acquisitions including one at Netherlands.
The company has also bagged the Fastest Growing Life Sciences Company in India, IT innovation award by NASSCOM and has also been named to the Deloitte list of fastest growing companies in Asia, three years in a row. As a first-generation entrepreneur, she has also been named by Red Herring magazine as ‘25 tech titan under 35’ in 2006.
Anuradha feels her easy-going attitude has played a big role in shaping her personality.
“Acquiring multiple companies is very exciting but I am not someone who gets affected by highs and lows.
I like to simplify issues and rather move on than brood about things which did not happen.”
Looking forward has always been her assert and as a leader her ideas are fixed.
“My dream is to create strong workforce and build an organisation with right values, like Infosys created by Mr Narayan Murthy.
The day I feel I have created second generation leaders, I will be happy to step aside,” she asserts.
The books on the shelves of her cabin reveal the preferences of an informed mind. She credits her business wise acumen to her books which has brought in new perspectives.
Anuradha is proud of the bond she shares with her two daughters Neha (a fourth grade student and an avid blogger) and Akhila (1 1/2years) and says playing with them help her to relax.
“My dream is to make Ocimum a $100 million company by 2011 and may be enter the public issue and add more acquisitions and sustain them.” The future looks challenging but Anuradha’s eyes are focussed on the target.
Till then, it’s the little things which count like, her daughter hugging her after a hard day at office.
Anuradha says...
On a high: Acquriring Gene Logic was one of the high points.
Being a lady boss: A good boss is all that which matters. We never function as a man or woman but work as a team.
However, women have a distinct advantage due to their ability to multi-task and make good bosses too as they are very methodical, smarter than men and always think about other people.
Role models: No specific person. While growing up we read about Madam Curie and Indira Gandhi.
Spirituality: I am neither a spiritual nor religious person.
I sometimes light agarbattis, for its fragrance.
Moments of happiness: Playing with kids, reading a book.
Low points: May be, when I don’t get my regular coffee. But I do not focus on the lows.
Mantra for success: There is no magic potion. If you know what you want in life, pursue it with hard work.
Be dedicated, look for some financial backing, and take the risk. It’s better to do and fail than to have never done at all.
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