Shailendra Vyakarnam

Shailendra Vyakarnam is a seasoned professional with a passion for entrepreneurship education and development spanning over 30 years. He currently serves as a Visiting Professor at the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship at Cranfield University, after successfully leading the center as its Director for four years. With a background as the founding director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at the University of Cambridge for fourteen years, Shailendra is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship education and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.

Shailendra Vyakarnam has a strong focus on growing entrepreneurship education, inspiring new generations of entrepreneurs, and supervising doctoral candidates. He recently co-authored the book 'Scale-Up Manual' and 'Camels, Tigers and Unicorns: Rethinking science and technology enabled innovation', both essential guides for navigating the challenges of business growth and innovation. His expertise lies in guiding teams through various stages of growth, helping them overcome barriers, and preparing them for investor pitches.

An active figure in the field of business development, Shailendra Vyakarnam is extensively involved in supporting start-ups, scale-ups, and growing businesses as an educator, mentor, and coach. His areas of focus typically include strategy development, boardroom dynamics, team building, and fostering entrepreneurial thinking in large firms. Moreover, he is known for his dedication to science and technology-enabled businesses, making him a sought-after expert in policy advice and executive education.

In addition to his academic and business involvements, Shailendra Vyakarnam contributes his expertise to various organizations. He holds a position as an Associate Senior Common Room member at King's College, Cambridge, and has served as a Non-Executive Director at CorrosionRADAR. Furthermore, he has been associated with impactful initiatives such as being a Trustee at The Gen Initiative and holding advisory board roles in early-stage companies. Shailendra also plays a vital role as a Trustee of the GEN Initiative, where he contributes to providing education and income generation opportunities to small rural communities in India.