Tell us about yourself?
I am Dr. Rafi Shaik and I’ve completed my Ph.D. (Organic Chemistry) in the Department of Chemistry, Pondicherry Central University. India. During doctoral work, I worked in the total synthesis of aza-steroids, ring closing metathesis and application of Blaise reaction for synthesis of key pharmaceutical products. I’ve later moved to postdoctoral work (NHRI), Taiwan, where I was involved in drug discovery of anticancer products and published research results in J. Med. Chemistry and University of Bologna, Italy. In addition to the academic experience I have also worked in major pharmaceutical/academic organizations with different roles and I hold 10 years of research experience as a Principal Research Scientist (Process Innovation) in active pharmaceutical process development, new chemical entities and complex pharmaceutical products in Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad. To solve my own problem as a scientist, I became an entrepreneur and started a digital B2B platform which can support both academia and industry to get ready stock of chemicals for research/business purposes.
What do you think is the single biggest misconception people have when it comes to startups?
The biggest misconception about startups I keep hearing most – startups tend to fail or take longer to see success. I reckon, any startup with a strong purpose to solve complex problems that will help larger communities will evolve and find success by themselves.
If you could go back in time to any moment from your journey, and give yourself one tip, what would it be?
Wish I had started Carbanio much earlier, when I first got the idea to solve the problem of sourcing chemicals – when I was in University.
What makes you stand out as an entrepreneur?
I have a strong commitment to solve the chemical sourcing issues that are pertinent in the chemical industry through the Carbanio platform.
What are some of the best working habits you’ve gained over the past couple of years?
Plan the day well and executing it, it has been the best working habit I’ve gained to perfection over the last couple years
Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?
To solve my own problem as a scientist, I became an entrepreneur and started a digital B2B platform which can support both academia and industry to get ready stock of chemicals for research/business purposes. Carbanio is born out of an idea to solve the sourcing problems in the Chemical Industry.
Where do you see your business in five years?
The Chemical Industry is booming in general, and as we are trying to solve the complex problem of sourcing through our digital platform – it helps various businesses to source chemicals in quick time through our digital platform. As the industry is moving towards digitalization, we are on the path to become the Industry leader for the digital world of Chemical industry in India
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you in getting there?
Most of the business in the Chemical Industry happens offline in India, and the transition of bringing users to buy or sell chemicals through our digital platform takes some of our time in educating them first, before we proceed to sell our product straight.
Talk to us about your biggest success story so far?
As of today, we have 44,000+ chemical manufacturers/suppliers registered in our platform and gaining profits for their business in India. Hearing success stories of many chemical manufacturers for using our platform gives immense satisfaction to me as Carbanio is impacting lives positively for many Chemical Manufacturers or Suppliers.
How do clients and customers find you? Are you much of a salesperson for yourself?
They find us through the Internet using Google search or through some of the paid ads we run on the internet. Yes, wherever I get an opportunity to interact with anyone in the chemical industry – I try to explain the benefits of Carbanio to them 🙂
What one tip would you give to fellow startup founders?
Just believe in whatever you are doing, and the belief will transition to success – if it can change the world for good.
And finally, what do you hope the future brings both you personally, and your business?
To me – The immense joy that I am able to solve the sourcing issues in Chemical Industry through my platform For the Business – We’ve built a great team working towards a common goal and it gives great opportunities for them in future while the company grows larger.
