12-11-2025
The Daniels School Executive Forum recently hosted the co-founder and CEO of Krishi Inc., Aaron Gilbertie, who offered students a grounded perspective on the complex process of translating scientific discovery into commercially viable innovation.
Drawing on a career that spans multinational corporations, early-stage ventures and long-term collaborations with Purdue researchers, Gilbertie illustrated how entrepreneurship functions as a dynamic interplay between problem identification, critical inquiry, ecosystem relationships and strategic decision-making. His discussion provided a practical framework for understanding how university-based technologies transition into market applications and how aspiring entrepreneurs can prepare for leadership in this environment.
Prior to founding Krishi, a Purdue-affiliated biotechnology startup developing Sherpa™, a rapid, point-of-need molecular diagnostic platform, Gilbertie built expertise across corporate and entrepreneurial roles. This gave him insight into product development, organizational structure and research commercialization. His career illustrates a model of entrepreneurship grounded in analytical thinking and intentional relationship-building.
Gilbertie emphasized that successful entrepreneurs distinguish themselves not by immediate solutions but by their ability to question assumptions and diagnose root problems. He urged students to examine motivations, challenge conventional practices and resist premature conclusions. For him, the accuracy of the problem statement often determines the viability of the solution. Much of Sherpa’s development, he noted, emerged from reframing initial assumptions and uncovering deeper user needs.
A central theme of Gilbertie’s talk was the importance of relational capital. Key introductions — often facilitated by “connectors” who bridge academic and industry communities — played a decisive role in the creation of Krishi. His collaboration with engineering professor Mohit Verma originated through one such connection. Gilbertie encouraged students to cultivate diverse networks early, noting that innovation thrives where disciplines intersect.
Gilbertie provided a candid view of technology transfer. Universities often rely on entrepreneurs to advance patent prosecution and assume the financial risk of commercialization. Licensing agreements, co-founder alignment and corporate formation are foundational steps that require significant time and negotiation. Students gained insight into the procedural realities behind launching a venture from academic research — an aspect often overlooked in entrepreneurial narratives.
Gilbertie challenged the assumption that entrepreneurship requires immediately launching a company. His own path — rotating between global corporations and startups — equipped him with both structural understanding and operational versatility. He advised students to seek roles that expand their capabilities, expose them to real-world problem solving and offer mentors who broaden their perspective.
Gilbertie also underscored the need for transparent communication and aligned expectations across stakeholder groups. Successful partnerships, he argued, require candid dialogue — especially when setbacks occur. His insights highlighted that translational success depends not only on technology but on relationships, critical inquiry, strategic alignment and resilience — skills that students can begin cultivating long before launching a venture.
Gilbertie answered questions from Executive Forum instructor Dave Randich, a strategic management lecturer at the Daniels School, as well as students. Guest speakers come to campus each week to share their career insights and experiences with the class, bridging classroom lessons with real-world insight from those who keep the world moving forward.
View and listen to Gilbertie’s Executive Forum class:
The Daniels School’s Executive Forum is held in person on the West Lafayette campus and is open to the public, as seating permits. Follow the business school on LinkedIn to learn about upcoming Forum speakers and more.
