Redefining the Face of STEM: A Reflection for International Day of Women and Girls in Science
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the women innovators, the researchers, and the boundary-pushers of Medprime. But today, we also want to shine a light on a different kind of STEM journey; the path of the scientific entrepreneur.
Greeshma’s story isn’t just about formulas and data- it is about the grit required to take a startup from a concept to the doorsteps of labs across the country.
The Road Not Taken
Choosing the startup route is never the easy path, especially in the deep-tech and microscopy segment. In the early stages, Greeshma wasn’t just a founder; she was a traveller. While her friends and peers took on stable corporate roles, she was on the move—navigating the logistical hurdles of a nascent business and carrying the weight of a new brand on her shoulders.
Success in these early days wasn’t about sales or financial wins; it was about the unwavering support of family, who provided a solid foundation for her to take these professional risks.
The Only Woman in the Room
The microscopy sales landscape has traditionally been and till date continues to be a boys’ club. For years, the image of a microscope salesperson was almost exclusively male. Greeshma stepped into this segment as an outlier—the woman selling high-precision instruments among a sea of male sales reps.
However, being the only woman in the room became a strategic advantage. It made the brand memorable. In a crowded market, Greeshma’s presence and expertise broke the monotony, ensuring that when she walked out of a meeting, the clients remembered exactly who she was and what her company represented.
Facing the Technical Prejudice
Despite her expertise and supportive ecosystem, the journey hasn’t been without its frustrations. In the ecosystem of STEM, deep-seated prejudices often linger, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
“I will be the one giving the technical presentation, explaining the nuances of the optics and the hardware. Yet, when the presentation ends, the questions are often directed straight at Samrat.”
This credibility gap or the assumption that technical depth generally resides with a man—is a hurdle many women in STEM still face. It is a reminder that while we have made progress, the default image of a technical expert is still slowly evolving.
A Shifting Ecosystem
But the good news? The landscape is definitely changing. Compared to a decade ago, the STEM ecosystem is unrecognizable. We are seeing:
- A surge in women-led businesses that are securing major venture funding.
- Increased recognition and awards specifically targeting female innovators.
- Better mentorship networks that didn’t exist for previous generations.
Greeshma’s journey proves that women don’t just fit into STEM—they enhance it. Women bring a unique toolkit to leadership, including:
- Nuanced Understanding: A capacity to handle sensitive, high-stakes project issues with precision.
- Empathetic Leadership: Building teams that feel heard and supported, which is vital in the high-pressure environment of a startup.
- Holistic Problem Solving: Balancing the cold logic of science with the human impact of technology.
And to all you young women looking at a career in science: don’t be afraid to be the “only one” in the room. Whether you are in a lab or selling the next big breakthrough in a Tier 2 city, your presence is the very thing that will shift the needle for the next generation.
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
