Escaping the revolution in Iran, engineering entrepreneur Shirin Dehghan moved to the UK at the age of 14. Despite the challenges, she learned the language and pursued a degree in engineering and electronics. Shirin's perseverance paid off when she founded her first company, eventually selling it for £85 million. 
Now the CEO of Oxford Algorithms, Shirin shares her inspiring journey of hope, from a childhood passion for science through the challenges of losing a multi-million euro deal to becoming one of the UK's most successful women in tech.

GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points)
(02:04) - Growing up in Tehran, life before and after the revolution
(07:05) - Moving to the UK – the culture shock, integrating into UK society
(11:10) - Making connections From STEM subjects to a career in mobile communications
(13:44) - Forming the future – delivering 3G and 4G at Vodafone
(15:10) - It started with a kernel of an idea – The birth of Arieso
(17:13) - From a back of an envelope calculation to saving £100 million
(22:48) - Jumping off a cliff - The uncertainty of starting a new business
(24:27) - The 10 year journey from incorporation to sale, the highs and the lows
(29:37) - Putting on a brave face – it pays to persevere
(35:33) - The relief after sale  - work hard – play hard
(38:20) - A virtuous circle , female role models
(40:41) - Investing, mentoring and imparting wisdom
(43:10) -The buzz for building companies never leaves – welcome Oxford Algorithms a true family affair
(49:15) -Quick fire questions, books, podcasts or films and switching off.

Escaping the revolution in Iran, engineering entrepreneur Shirin Dehghan moved to the UK at the age of 14. Despite the challenges, she learned the language and pursued a degree in engineering and electronics. Shirin's perseverance paid off when she founded her first company, eventually selling it for £85 million.  Now the CEO of Oxford Algorithms, Shirin shares her inspiring journey of hope, from a childhood passion for science through the challenges of losing a multi-million euro deal to becoming one of the UK's most successful women in tech.
GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points) (02:04) - Growing up in Tehran, life before and after the revolution (07:05) - Moving to the UK – the culture shock, integrating into UK society (11:10) - Making connections From STEM subjects to a career in mobile communications (13:44) - Forming the future – delivering 3G and 4G at Vodafone (15:10) - It started with a kernel of an idea – The birth of Arieso (17:13) - From a back of an envelope calculation to saving £100 million (22:48) - Jumping off a cliff - The uncertainty of starting a new business (24:27) - The 10 year journey from incorporation to sale, the highs and the lows (29:37) - Putting on a brave face – it pays to persevere (35:33) - The relief after sale  - work hard – play hard (38:20) - A virtuous circle , female role models (40:41) - Investing, mentoring and imparting wisdom (43:10) -The buzz for building companies never leaves – welcome Oxford Algorithms a true family affair (49:15) -Quick fire questions, books, podcasts or films and switching off.

Businesses of the future are going to be based on science and technology, from AI to mRNA and Blockchain to Fusion, science and technology are revolutionising the way we work and being applied to the global challenges of our time. Join Hannah Prevett, a business journalist with The Times, every Thursday, as she meets the scientists who are turning breakthroughs into world changing businesses.  If you’re wondering how to turn your idea into a lab-based discovery, deliver the perfect pitch to secure funding and grow, all whilst avoiding pitfalls along the way, then join us as we help solve the science of business.

Businesses of the future are going to be based on science and technology, from AI to mRNA and Blockchain to Fusion, science and technology are revolutionising the way we work and being applied to the global challenges of our time. Join Hannah Prevett, a business journalist with The Times, every Thursday, as she meets the scientists who are turning breakthroughs into world changing businesses.  If you’re wondering how to turn your idea into a lab-based discovery, deliver the perfect pitch to secure funding and grow, all whilst avoiding pitfalls along the way, then join us as we help solve the science of business.

Advertisement