Dr Monica Karunakaran: Winner of the 2025 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award
- Great Companies
- Jul 25
- 5 min read
Name: Dr Monica Karunakaran
Business Name: PROPUL Evidence LLP
Location: Chennai, India
Category: Biomedical Research
Website: https://propulevidence.org
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/propul-evidence-llp/
Company Detail:
PROPUL (Partnership for Research, Opportunity, Planning, Upskilling, and Leadership) Evidence is a premier research organization dedicated to advancing global and public health research along with promoting evidence-based practice. The team of highly skilled and experienced professionals offers a wide array of services tailored to meet the unique needs of clients, including government, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations, as well as start-ups, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies.
Comprehensive Services:
Comprehensive Research Solutions: Original Investigations: Executes methodical, top-quality studies across disciplines. Evidence Synthesis: Amalgamates findings to bolster data-driven decision-making. Innovative Data Utilization: Harnesses pre-existing datasets to derive fresh insights and influence policy reform.
Expert Consultancy Services: Sample size calculation: Ensures optimal study design and statistical power. Statistical analysis: Provides both basic and advanced statistical support to uncover meaningful patterns and relationships. Instrument Development & Validation: Devises trustworthy tools for precise, pertinent data acquisition
Collaborative Research Support: Joins forces with institutions on funded and non-funded projects to maximize the impact of the work.
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Services: Conducts evidence synthesis, validation, and cost-effectiveness analyses for medical device and pharmaceutical companies, facilitating the creation and integration of groundbreaking products.
Manuscript writing, content editing, and proofreading: Offers professional writing services to ensure clear, concise, and impactful communication.
Grant Writing Support: Furnishes expertise in developing persuasive grant proposals that effectively communicate the project’s importance and potential impact. The team helps identify suitable funding opportunities while ensuring compliance with application specifications.
Skill building workshops and courses: Conducts training sessions and workshops (online and offline) on fundamental and advanced research methodologies, empowering future researchers.
Fellowships and mentorships: Offers personalized fellowships and mentorship programs to researchers and professionals at various stages of their careers. Through one-on-one support and tailored learning experiences, participants build their skills, expand their knowledge, and achieve their research goals.
Health Advocacy and Awareness Sessions: Connects with diverse audiences to discuss crucial health and well-being topics.
Conference, CME, and Symposium Support: Technical and scientific support: Collaborates with event organizers to deliver high-quality content and seamless experiences. Content development and delivery: Partners with institutions to create compelling, evidence-based materials for conferences, CMEs, and symposiums. At PROPUL Evidence, meticulous attention to detail, innovative solutions, and commitment to excellence set it apart. Clients are invited to explore the services and discover how PROPUL can elevate research endeavors, drive policy changes, and ultimately improve public health outcomes.
Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:
At PROPUL Evidence, the vision is of a world where informed decisions and evidence-based solutions drive positive change and innovation. The aspiration is to be at the forefront of research and education, leading the way in transforming data and knowledge into actionable insights. The team strives to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to make informed choices, fostering a brighter, more sustainable future.From funded research projects, such as systematic reviews for health policy guidelines and intersectionality analysis, to participation in key global conferences, PROPUL Evidence LLP has solidified its role as a leader in public health research and evidence synthesis. Partnerships with organizations like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the World Health Organization (WHO), and numerous academic institutions continue to empower the team to address pressing global health concerns.
One of the most remarkable highlights of the year has been the recognition of team members’ contributions on both national and international stages. Awards, scholarships, and invitations to prestigious conferences underscore the quality and impact of their work. These achievements not only affirm the expertise and commitment of the team but also push them to continue delivering research that creates positive change in health systems around the world.The mission at PROPUL Evidence is to be a trusted partner in the pursuit of knowledge, providing comprehensive research content solutions that inspire excellence, inform decisions, and create lasting impact. The organization is committed to
Advance Research: Conducts and supports cutting-edge research initiatives, continually seeking new perspectives and innovative approaches to generate meaningful insights.
Educate and Inform: Believes in the power of education. Dedicated to sharing knowledge and insights through training, workshops, and educational resources, fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making.
Promote Evidence-Based Practices: Advocates for the integration of evidence-based practices across sectors and industries, promoting the use of data and research to drive positive change.
Empower Collaboration: Fosters collaboration between researchers, educators, and decision-makers, creating a network of professionals dedicated to the pursuit of excellence through evidence.
Strive for Excellence: Holds itself to the highest standards of excellence in all that it does, from the quality of research content solutions to the commitment to ethical and transparent practices.
Drive Impact: Measures success by the impact made on individuals, organizations, and communities. Dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the world through evidence-based initiatives.
Challenges Faced During the Journey:
Throughout the journey building PROPUL Evidence LLP from the ground up, Dr. Monica Karunakaran confronted and overcame a series of formidable challenges that tested both her resolve and vision. First, entering the field of evidence synthesis—a domain traditionally dominated by large institutions and largely male leadership—meant she had to establish credibility in the face of skepticism. To do so, she invested countless evenings into rigorous training, obtaining certifications in systematic review methodology and mastering advanced statistical software, all while maintaining clinical and teaching responsibilities.
Securing initial funding was another major hurdle. As a woman entrepreneur in India, she repeatedly encountered the implicit bias that research consultancies require “deep pockets” or established networks. She overcame this by strategically partnering with academic mentors and demonstrating the tangible impact of pilot projects—turning a handful of small grants into enduring client relationships and word-of-mouth referrals.
Building a high-performing team posed its own set of obstacles. She was determined to create an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives, yet found it challenging to attract talent familiar with rigorous evidence-based methods. To address this, she launched an in-house training program—transforming enthusiastic graduates into capable research analysts and thereby nurturing the next generation of women leaders in public health research.
Finally, balancing growth with quality during the COVID-19 pandemic tested operational resilience. Demand for rapid evidence synthesis exploded, but she refused to compromise methodological rigor. By implementing agile project management practices and leveraging cloud-based collaboration tools, she ensured that PROPUL delivered timely, high-quality reports to policymakers and practitioners worldwide.
Each of these obstacles—from bias and funding constraints to talent development and crisis management—strengthened her leadership, sharpened the firm’s strategic focus, and affirmed her conviction that excellence and equity go hand in hand.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:
Dr. Monica Karunakaran’s journey in building PROPUL Evidence LLP offers valuable lessons for aspiring women entrepreneurs:
Build Expertise: Invest in your skills and stay updated. Your knowledge will speak louder than any bias.
Find Strategic Allies: Collaborate with mentors and institutions who believe in your vision.
Be Resilient with Funding: Show the impact of your work and explore diverse funding options.
Grow Your Team: Train and mentor talent to build a strong, inclusive workplace.
Hold Onto Values: During challenges, let quality and integrity guide you.
Embrace Tech & Adaptability: Use modern tools to stay agile and efficient.
Celebrate Milestones: Recognize small wins—they build confidence and momentum.
Lead with Purpose: A clear mission attracts support and drives lasting impact.
Practice Self-Care: Balance ambition with well-being by setting boundaries and building a support network.
Her story is a testament to what's possible when passion meets persistence.
