Chandrasekar S
AGM – Marketing, Kemin Industries South Asia Pvt Ltd.
Dr. Chandrasekar S is a proficient B2B marketing professional in animal health and nutrition, with over 18 years of experience spanning marketing, product management, and technical services. He has a strong track record of driving market leadership, launching innovative product platforms, and building high-performing teams in highly competitive environments. His expertise includes sustainable portfolio development, customer experience management, and establishing new market segments, all underpinned by a deep commitment to stakeholder-centric strategies. With master’s degrees in veterinary science and management from premier business management institutions, Dr. Chandrasekar blends scientific knowledge with strategic business acumen. He is passionate about sustainable animal production, enhancing customer experience, and fostering purpose-driven innovation. His holistic approach and proven ability to translate technical insights into market success make him a valuable technology advisor for startups aiming to transform animal health diagnostics.
Tarjan Kaliaperumal, PhD
Senior Scientist – R&D, Kemin Industries
Dr. Tarjan K is a Senior Scientist at Kemin Industries, Chennai, working on enzyme research, fermentation optimization, product management support, and technical service. He has over 18 years of experience in fermentation process development, bioprocess strategy, scale-up, and contamination management in the biotechnology industry. Dr Tarjan holds a Master of Technology (MTech) from Sathyabama Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Bioprocess and Biochemical Engineering, Biocatalysis, and Biotransformation from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. Dr Tarjan is also involved in teaching and mentoring students, sharing knowledge on fermentation technologies, biocatalysis, and industrial biotechnology applications.
Asha Kembhavi, PhD
Co-founder & CSO, Jinsei Bioscience
A bio-technologist with over four decades of experience, she is a passionate peoples manager with a strong scientific foundation. She spent 20 years as a senior consultant with Novozymes, leading market-driven research and strategic R&D collaborations. Her career, including roles at Chr. Hansen and academic institutions, established her expertise in enzymes and probiotics, material science, and fermentation technology, building a global industry and academic network. Currently, she assists startups by translating scientific insights into practical, large-scale solutions that drive innovation and growth. She is also a Co-Founder of Jinsei Bioscience, developing probiotic and postbiotic solutions for gut health issues.
Premnath V, PhD
Director, Venture Center
Dr. Premnath is Head, NCL Innovations at CSIR-NCL, and Founder Director, Venture Center (National award-winning inventive enterprises and deep tech incubator). He is a technology developer, innovation and incubation manager, startup mentor and a co-founder of two medtech startups. One of his inventions — a breakthrough material for hip and knee joint replacements — has been implanted in more than a million patients worldwide. Another technology for porous maxillo-facial implants has been implanted in thousands of patients in India and abroad. He has provided leadership for teams that have won national awards for technology development/biomedical products development, intellectual property management and business incubation. He is chemical engineer and an alumnus of MIT in the US, IIT-Bombay (Distinguished Alumnus, 2022) and has been a Chevening Technology Enterprise Scholar in Cambridge, UK.
