As my MBA journey draws to a close, I’m thrilled to share insights from two of the program’s most challenging and rewarding experiences: the Venture Capital (VC) Challenge and our International Consulting Project (ICP) with an innovative pharma company.
The VC Challenge was an immersive experience held over an intense weekend at IMD. My team of five, composed of MBAs, ex-EMBAs, and working professionals, embarked on an in-depth simulation of a decade-long VC journey, creating and managing our own fund. Our challenge began with defining a strategic focus for our fund, Excelsior, concentrating on food and consumer goods across Europe and the US. After crafting our vision, we faced the challenges of raising capital, selecting investment opportunities, and devising profitable exit strategies.
Participating in the challenge was an eye-opener into the venture capital world, an area I had little prior exposure to. I not only learned the mechanics of raising funds but also gained crucial insights into what VCs look for at each stage of a company’s growth. I realized that in their early stages, companies prioritize growth over profits, with a gradual shift in priorities as they mature. Understanding a VC’s strategy and assessing whether they are actively involved or more hands-off is critical when securing investments. This experience underscored the collaborative nature of venture capital: partnerships and co-investments often enhance both growth and returns.
Our team’s efforts paid off, with “Excelsior” achieving an impressive return of 40x – transforming a $110m initial investment into over $4.4bn in just 10 years, with a MOIC (multiple on invested capital) of 2.69x. It was exhilarating to see our strategy materialize, and I’m grateful to IMD and Strategy Tools, as well as Jim Pulcrano, Christian Rangen, Scott Newton, and Henrik Amstutz, for guiding us through such a transformative exercise.
In October, we began the ICP, a seven-week consulting project in collaboration with five other students and a faculty advisor. This opportunity, focused on a major pharmaceutical company, has been an extraordinary leap into a fast-paced and highly technical environment, taking me far outside my comfort zone.
Working alongside a talented group that includes a medical doctor, I’ve been constantly amazed by the depth of knowledge and expertise around me. This environment has been humbling yet motivating, reminding me of the importance of embracing challenges and stretching beyond my limits. I’m learning the art of leading and contributing effectively, even when the content is highly specialized and new to me.
The ICP has been a hands-on extension of my summer MBA internship, building upon those skills in real-world consulting. As we work through complex issues and navigate the intricacies of the pharma industry, I feel a sense of growth and adaptability, knowing that I’m gaining insights that will be invaluable in my post-MBA career.
Both the VC Challenge and the ICP have been instrumental in broadening my perspective and pushing my capabilities. These experiences have reaffirmed the value of a diverse, collaborative, and challenging environment, especially as I prepare to enter a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
As my MBA journey culminates, I’m deeply appreciative of the friendships, learning, and transformative experiences I’ve had at IMD. From tackling investment simulations to real-world consulting, each step has reinforced my belief in the importance of resilience, collaboration, and a growth mindset. I’m excited to carry these lessons forward, equipped with both the knowledge and the confidence to make an impact in the world.
