We don’t risk enough, says Tarun Sharma. He encourages everyone to be bolder and to surround themselves with great mentors who can help turn ambition into real impact.

Tarun Sharma is an influential venture leader whose career has been built at the crossroads of technology, strategy, and entrepreneurship. He currently works as Partner & COO at Nokia Ventures, and also Executive-In-Residence at Aalto University focusing on Corporate Venturing & Entrepreneurship.

Over the years, Sharma has held key leadership positions at global companies such as Microsoft, IBM, and Nokia, combining Fortune 100 expertise with a strong understanding of startup culture. Alongside his corporate roles, he is active as an advisor, board member, mentor, and angel investor, supporting the next generation of innovators & builders.

Sharma visits SHIFT Business Festival this May in Turku to speak about bold decision-making and venturing.

Innovation Needs a Business Engine

The first part of Sharma’s career was all technology, technology and more technology.

—In India, we love engineering and computers! For a long time, I thought technology was the holy grail, says Sharma.

Over time, however, he began to see how often even the best innovations fail to reach their full potential if they are not paired with business & strategic understanding.

—The biggest turning point for me was when I started combining technology with finance, marketing, and venturing. That combination became the backbone of my career – where I could turn ideas into impact.

Always strive to be better tomorrow

Despite his long and impressive career, Sharma remains deeply motivated by what lies ahead.

— I have a deep desire to be better tomorrow than what I am today. It allows me to push myself in a positive way: to take bold decisions, prepare well, and trust the process. If you are sincere toward your mission, bold decisions don’t feel that scary.

With hunger, the right team and good planning, most challenges are not as intimidating as they first appear. Many things are not rocket science after all, Sharma says. He has a genuine desire to improve — not just personally, but as a team, as a venture, and as a human being.

Mentors make the impossible possible

Sharma speaks warmly about the mentors he has had throughout his career. Great mentors have played an important role throughout his life.

—Whenever I have wanted to improve something, I’ve found a mentor — whether it was business, venturing, investing, health, or even running.

“With the right mindset and the right mentors, what seems impossible becomes possible.”

Sharma also wants to thank his wife, whose support has carried him through ups and downs. More broadly, he credits his family. Being lucky to have great support throughout his career, today he aims to give back through his own work as a mentor and teacher.

Be bold, then double it

Looking back at his career and thinking what he would have done differently, Sharma says he wishes he had been much bolder earlier — instead of being too afraid.

—Looking back, I was afraid of failure. I worried: What if it doesn’t work? What if everyone laughs at me? What if I fail? In the end, it was all made up in my head.

—If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I would say: Be bold. Be bolder than you think you can. Then double it, Sharma laughs.

At the same time, Sharma highlights that boldness does not mean arrogance.

—The best combination is to be bold and humble — daring enough to dream big, but wise enough to ask for help. That is how you create real impact.