FDSN Seminar Series: Outside In: An Entrepreneurial Journey

The Department of Food Science and Nutrition will host Shwetha Shrivatsa, co-founder of Symphony Snacks, for a seminar titled “Outside In: An Entrepreneurial Journey” on Thursday, March 2, beginning at 12:45 p.m. The virtual seminar will take place on Zoom. 

Abstract

Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur, to start something of your own? Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business, it’s a journey and a mindset! Add to that, starting something in food, with no formal background in food science ,was definitely “the road not taken.” Transcending stereotypes and startup playbooks, learn how Shwetha Shrivatsa and her co-founder started their food business from the ground up and are learning and growing every day. An idea, market research, knowing your strengths and opportunities, a business partner(s) with a shared vision and different strengths, a quest for learning, patience, lots of trial and error, and a lot of sweat, tears, and laughs sums up the magic carpet ride so far—and the journey has just begun!

Bio

Shwetha Shrivatsa is the co-founder of Symphony Snacks, a better-for-you snack startup that makes sorghum-based snacks that are plant-based, planet-forward, vegan and top-nine allergen free. Previously Shrivatsa was the senior director of marketing for Sears Holdings Corporation. She started at Sears in 2008 as an M.B.A. leadership program associate in supply chain and then became a category manager with focuses on P&L abd e-commerce merchandising for the seasonal business. She then moved on into marketing with a focus on digital marketing, customer insights, and personalization. Shrivatsa received an undergraduate degree in electronics and communications from the R.V. College of Engineering in Bangalore. After graduating from college, she worked as a senior software engineer at Infosys and then IBM. She was a certified SAP-BW consultant for notable clients such as Apple and Daimler Chrysler. As a 2008 Smeal M.B.A. graduate at Pennsylvania State University, Shwetha’s concentrations were finance, supply chain, and investment management. 

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