Dr Shalini Divya, Co-Founder and CEO of Tasmanlon, used her knowledge from her PhD as an inspiration when starting her business. Dr Divya described batteries as the inevitable way to use renewable energy resources for instant use and said that rechargeable aluminium-ion batteries were safer and more sustainable than the current technologies in the market.
Whilst completing her PhD, Dr. Divya filed a patent on one of the materials she used, initiating her decision to leave academia and become an entrepreneur. After finishing her PhD, she worked as a research assistant in hopes of understanding the technology's commercial potential and simultaneously developing her technology. After perfecting her business idea, she and her partner set up Tasmanlon in January 2022.
Previously, Dr. Divya won KiwiNet's 'Breakthrough Innovator' award in 2021, giving her confidence as an entrepreneur. Other accomplishments her business recieved were top five in the global LeZero Innovation Challenge and a podcast competition in Australia, awarded through public votes.
"In a start-up world, you cannot let failures disappoint you," said Dr Divya.
"Being resilient and not taking the failures personally are critical. It is crucial to keep grabbing opportunities as they come- follow your gut instinct and go for it!"
Tasmalon has grown steadily over the last two years, now comprising four team members and three board members. As Co-Founder and CEO, Dr Divya continues to identify battery manufacturers and seek input from an industry partner who will take their technology forward for commercialisation and establish mutual benefits.
