In this episode of the podcast Gavin is joined by stem cell researcher, Sandhya Sriram, who is Group CEO and Co-founder of Shiok Meats, the first cell-based seafood & meat company in Southeast Asia and the first cell-based Crustacean company globally. Shiok Meats also owns SEA’s first cell-based red meat company, Gaia Foods.
Sandhya talks through everything from setting up start ups, failing – but learning from it – and everything that comes with being an entrepreneur and business owner.
You can donate to Gavin’s JustGiving page for The Ocean Cleanup by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3DRZefO
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to The Ocean Cleanup, so it's the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Stem cell can be grown outside the animal’s body and can be used to grown all sorts of cells like meat and fat to grow food for human consumption that requires no animal cruelty, slaughter or large-scale agricultural land, it can be done in a factory and takes 4-6 weeks, rather than growing and feeding an animal for years. We create lobster and shrimp as well as red meat products.
Cellular agriculture technology for animal cells has been done in the medical field for years to create donor organs etc. It’s an extremely expensive technology, but we have made it cheaper by taking it down the mass-production route, which will eventually end up costing the same as similar mass-production technology.
I always knew I was an innovator, but not an entrepreneur. Taking that step into business was a hard step for me. My first company was a miserable failure, but I knew what not to do for the next one. Some of the investors that I made through that first start up invested very early in Shiok. I can’t wait to wake up every day to get back to work now.
Don’t try to achieve a 50/50 balance between life and work, it’s impossible for entrepreneurs. Set out your priority. If family is your priority find a partner who will be able to put more into the business. If your priority is the business make sure your family knows you won’t be there for them all the time. It’s an unfair world, and it’s changing for the better, but women will have to work 3 times harder to get to the same level as a male.
Two things that I’ve had to do is to let go and not expect the same level of perfection from others as I have for myself. I’m not there yet fully, but I’m still learning and will get there.
 
BEST MOMENTS
‘Our products have been tasted by chefs, food critics, all sorts of people and they say it tastes the same, though it doesn’t look the same yet.’
‘I want everyone in the world to eat sustainably.’
‘Don’t start a company with a friend or someone you’re very close to!’
‘Take everything in your stride and handle challenges with positivity.’
‘Be inspirational to your family in everything from the way you speak to the way your hold yourself.’
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr Sandhya Sriram is the Group CEO and Co-founder of Shiok Meats Pte. Ltd., Singapore, the first cell-based seafood & meat company in Southeast Asia and the first cell-based Crustacean company globally. Shiok Meats Pte. Ltd. also owns SEA’s first cell-based red meat company, Gaia Foods.
A stem cell biologist and scientist by training and education, a former business development professional, a serial entrepreneur, and a thought leader – all in one – Sandhya is a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst and was featured as one of Forbes Women in Tech for building ventures rooted in purpose, impact and innovation.
Prior to Shiok Meats, Sandhya co-founded two ventures – Biotech in Asia, a Singapore-based Biotech and Healthcare Information Hub in 2014, and SciGlo, an EdTech event management company in 2016. She is also an advisor and investor to trailblazing Food Tech start-ups and has spoken at leading industry conferences worldwide.
A proud mother to an 8-year-old, a ‘conscious lifestyle’ blogger, and an avid traveller, Sandhya likes to call herself a ‘productive juggler’.
CONTACT METHODS
https://shiokmeats.com/
ABOUT THE HOST
Gavin Scott is a born entrepreneur with a passion for start up and scale up. He has over 20 years real estate experience in investment and development.
Gavin says: Over the years I have discovered that mindset is everything. Now, that might sound obvious, but it is! You see the number of awoken minds are very few in reality. Whilst acknowledging mindset is key it is absolutely different from utilising, influencing, impacting and effecting great change, for yourself, your loved ones, friends, colleagues and the wider public.
Why?
Like most of us I have had many ups and downs. I want to share the lessons learnt and promote a better environment for all, internally and externally!
How?
Through sharing my own experiences and hosting some fabulous individuals including some big household names to discuss key topics around mindset and the success formulas I hope the listener will become inspired to create space for change for betterment in their lives. I aim to inspire change by encouragement, not by force. I intend to inspire by education, not by regulation.
CONTACT METHODS
[email protected]

Ver todos los episodios