Joyeeta Das on Leading the Wave in AI-Powered Ocean Farming
Joyeeta Das, co-founder of Samudra Oceans, a company focused on robotics and AI in ocean farming, recently sat down for an insightful interview with Stanton Plumber-Cambridge, Programme Lead at WERKIN. In this engaging conversation, Joyeeta Das shared her entrepreneurial journey, her passion for environmental conservation, and the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in her career.
A Unique Entrepreneurial Journey
Joyeeta, who is passionate about addressing climate change, shared that her path into entrepreneurship was not a traditional one. While she now leads a hardware company focused on ocean farming, her journey began as an engineer and physicist, driven by a deep love for science. Her journey into entrepreneurship was accidental, encouraged by mentors and individuals who observed her capabilities and believed in her potential. With several people encouraging her to pursue this path, she has never looked back.
The Inspiration Behind Samudra Oceans
Samudra Oceans, which focuses on robotics and AI for scalable seaweed farming, is a reflection of Joyeeta's lifelong commitment to conservation and sustainable living. Growing up in a household dedicated to conservation science, she adopted a vegan and eco-conscious lifestyle over a decade ago. The birth of her daughter heightened her awareness of the climate crisis, motivating her to create a better world for future generations.
Mentorship and Sponsorship: Keys to Success
Joyeeta emphasised the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in her journey. She noted that while these concepts are valuable, they can be misused as substitutes for financial support and investment. She stressed the significance of finding mentors who understand your personality and willingness to challenge the status quo, offering opportunities to individuals without preconditions or expectations, allowing them to grow and even fail. She also emphasised that mentorship and sponsorship should go beyond words and extend to providing real opportunities, especially in underrepresented segments of society.
The Leap Into Ocean Farming
The interview delved into the challenges of Samudra Oceans' work. Joyeeta shared how she took a significant leap in her career by embracing the ocean sector, which is both physically and mentally demanding. She discussed the importance of mental innovation and being adaptable to working in a highly unpredictable environment and challenging conditions, and the importance of staying humble and forgiving oneself, which is crucial for personal growth and taking risks. She also highlighted the value of reframing stress as a stimulating challenge, rather than a negative experience.
Spirituality and Superpower
Joyeeta revealed her spiritual upbringing and how it has influenced her life. Her spirituality has granted her empathy, an understanding of the grander perspective of life, and the ability to forgive, both herself and others. She sees this as her superpower, as it has helped her lead an intentional life with grace and humility.
The Value of Leadership
Joyeeta emphasised the need for leadership that sets a positive example for others and expressed her commitment to being a leader worth following. She stressed the significance of being a leader who people admire, whether or not they achieve immense success.
Final Words of Wisdom
Joyeeta Das left the audience with a powerful piece of advice: "Everything is temporary." Her words serve as a reminder of the impermanence of both challenges and successes, encouraging everyone to embrace change and seek growth in every phase of life.
Joyeeta Das's journey and insights offer a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and the urgent need to combat climate change, emphasising the importance of mentorship, innovation, and compassion in addressing the world's most pressing challenges.
Watch the full interview here:
About Joyeeta Das: Joyeeta Das is the co-founder of Samudra Oceans, a company dedicated to developing robotics and AI solutions for sustainable ocean farming. She is a passionate advocate for climate change mitigation and environmental conservation.
About WERKIN Leaps and Bounds Leaders Series: The WERKIN Leaps and Bounds Leaders Series is a platform that brings together executives and founders to discuss leadership, innovation, and trends in various industries. Through insightful interviews, the series aims to inspire meaningful change and growth within organisations.
For media inquiries, please contact: Sachaa Pattison, Head of Communications sachaa.pattison@getwerkin.com