What happens when a molecular geneticist steps into a room full of finance students? At SP Jain Global, it sparked an engaging conversation on private equity, innovation, and investment thinking. Master of Applied Finance and Wealth Management (MFWM) students recently attended a guest session led by Dr Sharan Asher, Director at Eragon Ventures, with a particular focus on Private Equity and Venture Capital.
Drawing on his expertise in IP-driven investments across biotech, life sciences, and healthcare, Dr Asher explained how scientific rigour informs investment decisions. He unpacked key aspects of early-stage investing, outlining frameworks for risk assessment and the evaluation of innovation-led businesses.
Dr Sharan Asher interacts with students on private equity and venture capital
He also offered insights into collaborating with founders and investment bankers, while discussing emerging opportunities in AI and consumer sectors. Throughout the session, he highlighted the importance of nurturing innovation in India, an outlook that closely aligns with the ethos of the Master of Applied Finance and Wealth Management (MFWM) program.
For students, this session provided a rare opportunity to understand the investor mindset up close, reinforcing how diverse perspectives enrich the fields of private equity, wealth management, and finance.