Talia Karchem: From Science to Software Solutions

Role: Founder & Principal Consultant

This week's #TeamKC Spotlight features Talia Karchem, Founder and Principal Consultant of Karchem Consulting. Talia discusses her journey to founding Karchem Consulting, how Karchem is able to go to lengths that competitors don't, and her goals for 2026.

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As a trained chemist and with more than a decade working in the pharmaceutical laboratory, Talia Karchem’s career started its shift towards informatics systems when she was tasked with assisting her company's IT department with the implementation of their new ELN system. Before long, her value in that process and continued involvement as a superuser resulted in her inevitable ownership of that system as its administrator. The realization of her value in this capacity resulted in the creation of a full-time role within their IT organization for a person with her unique combination of laboratory experience and technical aptitude. 

“That role helped shape my concept of how IT and lab personnel can and should work together,” she said. 

After several years in this new role and now with an advanced degree in Information Systems, Talia began working for a lab software and instrumentation company, where she implemented software and conducted pre-sales business development. This was her first experience as a consultant. She moved on to working with other systems for a small but growing lab informatics consulting company. However, after the company was acquired by a global firm with a focus on large enterprise clients, she realized her true passions lie in working with smaller companies, where she can have a more direct and meaningful impact. 

“I haven’t worked in a lab for a while, but I remember struggling with lab software and wishing there was someone to help,” Talia said. “I love being that helpful person.”

Talia broke off on her own and started Karchem Consulting in 2018. From her first big client win as a solo consultant to a highly skilled team working with clients across the United States, Talia says successful client relationships and a strong team with scientific backgrounds are key to Karchem Consulting’s success. 

“Where we really excel is with customers who are looking for a more collaborative relationship, who equally value our inputs as experts in the systems we work with, as we value their specific needs and challenges,” Talia said. “Our willingness and ability to gain an in-depth knowledge of their processes and the way their company operates provides a lot of benefits to clients.” 

Talia said it’s that knowledge of processes that also keeps their relationships with clients going long-term. 

“We get up to speed really quickly on what each company is doing, and we're able to have the same people stick with projects for years at a time,” she said. “This gives us the ability to handle both short and impactful projects, as well as long-term relationships where we can help that company continue to grow as their science evolves.”

When Talia’s not watching the Boston Bruins or finishing a crochet project with her dogs at her side, she’s looking toward the future. 

“While we do work outside of the biotechnology space, leveraging our abilities in the environmental and petrochemical industries, we still have a lot more we want to accomplish within our main focus: helping young and growing life science companies make the most of their laboratory software systems,” she said. “With that in mind,  the next couple of years, I plan on continuing to grow the company, and expand our team's skillsets with the latest in software technologies, facilitate the growing exploration of AI and its impacts on scientific data systems, and maintain an ongoing focus on laboratory automation.”

Learn more about the Karchem Consulting team here.