From Neuroscience Student to Founder on Shark Tank: A Q&A with Akshita Iyer

Akshita Iyer in the kitchen

Akshita Iyer is not who you’d expect to be the founder of hardware startup Ome, focused on bringing safety and efficiency to the kitchen using smart technology. In fact, as a founder, she’s comparable to the dish Shakshuka, a combination of widely different ingredients that have no business working together as well as they do. But we’ll expand on that later.

First, we sat down with Akshita to talk about all things Ome, raising capital during a pandemic, what it’s like to start a company with your husband, mental health for founders, and so much more. Read on.

How were you introduced to Zane & Shila?

Speaking of investors, what do you value in an investor/fund?

You don’t have a technical background and yet you’ve managed to build a thriving hardware startup. Tell me about your journey from neuroscience student to startup founder.

Note: Akshita’s mom has not started a kitchen fire since she started using Ome!

You founded Ome with your husband! What were the positives and negatives of that experience?

Akshita and her husband Ranjith

The pandemic has increased awareness of the mental-health burden founders face. How do you care for your mental health?

What’s been your most memorable experience since founding Ome?

Akshita and her husband Ranjith on Shark Tank

Favorite piece of customer feedback?

Happiest moments at Ome?

What advice would you give to someone founding a company today?

Favorite dish to cook?

Below is Akshita’s go-to Shakshuka recipe.

When you think about it, Shakshuka really represents Akshita as a person. A combination of ingredients you’re not sure will work together, but they do and it’s amazing. We at Zane are so glad to be on this journey with Akshita and can’t wait for what’s to come.

Cook smarter and live better today — learn more about Ome here:

Or send Akshita a note at akshita@omekitchen.com!

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We Invest In Early-Stage Companies Led By Exceptional, Diverse Teams Building Tech-Enabled Solutions.