C Balagopal joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1977 and resigned from the IAS in 1983, to set up a company with the support of the National Research & Development Corporation and KSIDC to manufacture indigenously developed biomedical devices for the first time in the country. This came to be known as Terumo Penpol Ltd. and is today one of the biggest manufacturers and exporters of hi-tech blood bag systems in the world. He sold his shareholding in the company to Terumo Corp. of Japan in 2012 and retired from active business. Balagopal is today involved in mentoring and investing in startup ventures, community development activities and writing. He has penned On A Clear Day You Can See India, The View From Kollam: A Day In The Life Of A Sub-Collector and Maveli and Markets. He also writes a regular column in Destination Kerala on contemporary issues.