Dr Deepa Bhajekar Leads with Vision, Innovates with Purpose

For over three decades, Dr Deepa Bhajekar, a PhD in Food Microbiology, has been a scientist and an entrepreneur. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2000 and that was “MicroChem,” a food testing laboratory that conducted over 200 tests for food quality control. Under her leadership, the company grew into one of India's premier food testing laboratories, recognised for its quality, integrity and scientific excellence. In 2015, the company's success culminated in a sale to Mérieux NutriSciences, a France-based global leader in food and water testing, in a multi-million-dollar deal. The acquisition marked a significant milestone in Indian entrepreneurship. In her second business venture, “d technology,” a process technology driven company, Dr Bhajekar has continued to be a driving force in scientific innovation and entrepreneurship. The company focuses on core research and development to create innovative, game-changing technologies, particularly for the food industry. These technologies are subsequently scaled up for commercialisation. A distinguished scientist, entrepreneur and technology leader, Dr Bhajekar has consistently combined scientific excellence with business acumen to create a lasting impact. As the Founder and Managing Director of “d technology,” she leads the development and commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies in collaboration with global partners. Her company is dedicated to translating innovative ideas into scalable industrial applications that are both technologically advanced and commercially sustainable. Beyond business, Dr Bhajekar has made notable contributions to India's food safety ecosystem. She has served on the Central Advisory Committee of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and was also a member of its Scientific Panel. She played a key role in bringing the globally renowned Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) to India and became the founding President of its India Chapter in 2013. A sought-after speaker, Dr Bhajekar regularly addresses audiences on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and business strategy. She is deeply committed to mentoring of Westlife Foodworld Limited, the master franchisee of McDonald's for West and South India, and continues as a Non-Executive Independent Director on the Board of Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., contributing her strategic insight and governance expertise. Her achievements have been recognised through several prestigious honours. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), becoming Dr Deepa Bhajekar According to Dr Bhajekar, Bhumi World's organised infrastructure and business-friendly environment have ensured smooth operations without operational challenges. She believes the upcoming Bhumi World Outlet Mall and the proximity of Gopalas Residency, offering convenient accommodation for outstation and international visitors, will further enhance the destination's appeal as a thriving business hub. students and aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to pursue research, identify opportunities and build meaningful careers. Her expertise has also earned her significant corporate leadership roles. She serves as a Non-Executive Independent Director on the Board the first woman in the institute's history to receive the honour. She has also been recognised with the Woman Entrepreneurship and First Generation Entrepreneur award at ICT Mumbai at the hands of the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, and the Women's Excellence International Award in Dubai in the 'Scientist in Business' category. In 2021, she further strengthened her global leadership credentials by completing the Senior Executive Leadership Programme India (SELPI) at Harvard Business School in Boston. Since 2017, Dr Bhajekar has operated from Bhumi World, a strategically located industrial hub. Its integrated ecosystem provides easy access to packaging, printing, fabrication, engineering, logistics, and other essential industrial services, enabling faster execution of projects while reducing logistics costs. Dr Deepa Bhajekar's journey reflects the power of scientific excellence, entrepreneurial vision and purposeful innovation. Through her pioneering work, corporate leadership and commitment to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, she continues to inspire scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators, guiding them in their business journey