Prashant Shah is a serial entrepreneur in life sciences and tech in which one of those companies was acquired by a public company. He is currently active in seed investing, product/IP development, services, and building lab/office infrastructure. His early career was with the Strategy group at Accenture and he has a BEng, an MSc, in which he worked on the Human Genome Program at the Sanger Centre, and an MPhil in Management from the Judge Institute. Prashant is also a General Partner in the o2h SEIS/EIS Human Health Fund. The o2h group has its headquarters in Cambridge,Uk and has nurtured an east-west footprint encompassing UK/USA and India.
When Prashant is not working, he likes to relax by playing football, snow-boarding, boxing and reading/writing.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I was born in Cambridge, UK. I feel equally at home in the UK or India. Being born to Indian parents and being a frequent traveller to India for work and social reasons I have seen how India has transformed over this period. I also feel highly motivated to contribute to the country of my birth and be an active UK Citizen.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
The renovation of a vandalized listed building that had been disused for 40 years into an incubator for life sciences and technology in Cambridge. It was an old English heritage beauty that had fallen into disrepair.
3) What inspires you?
People who dedicate themselves to others or the inventors and entrepreneurs that shape the future.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Learning to think bigger…
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My father taught me how to survive in the world, to have purpose and impact and not waste my time!
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
I enjoy shaping and building teams and cultures that are loving and also high performing.
7) And the worst?
Dealing with egos, that can’t admit their mistakes and are not generous in giving credit to others.
8) What are your long term goals?
To seed new ideas in life-science, tech and green innovation, support idea creation in the UK and India that has meaning and impact.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Do more to support the inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs in the UK, they change the world and create the wealth which helps us pay for our society.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Mahatma Gandhi – to learn from this great man, wisdom and courage…
