Second-time entrepreneur, looking for guidance : Ask mbaMission

Hi,

I am looking forward to joining the MBA in the upcoming year 2024.
I am an Aerospace engineer who passed out in 2014, turned a start-up entrepreneur in 2017, have a proven track record of raising funds from venture capitalists, building quality teams, scaling products, and turning profitable. I had to take an exit from the venture due to COVID. Since Sep 2021, have been working in the founder’s office at Fynd, backed by google, and acquired by Reliance (Fortune 500). I am heading growth and business for one of their business units and the tech product transformation for another business unit

I am planning to quit my job on 01st May 2023 and start up again, so while applying to the universities I will be a second-time startup entrepreneur in the early days of my second venture. I want to learn the best about business from their institutions and get back to my venture and scale it.

How will the Admission Committee view this and its overall impact on the MBA candidature?

PS: My target schools are INSEAD, GSB, Wharton, Chicago Booth, Haas, Kellogg, Columbia, LBS, and Sloan

You have impressive achievements to your credit for AdComs. Have you already appeared for GMAT?

Hello RizvanBas, and thanks for your post.

Your decision to be a second-time entrepreneur can certainly be positively viewed by MBA programs, as long as it becomes a compelling and sensible part of your story. I also like the fact that you are making this decision regardless of how schools will think about this decision, because you should always do what is best for your career, and not what you think admissions committees want to see. Fortunately, though, they should view this in a positive way.
You will want to make sure that you can illustrate the value and impact that you have already had on this new start-up, although schools will realize that you just started. Your past work experience will be even more crucial to demonstrate your accomplishments and impact you have made. Ideally this will be supported by strong recommendation letters as well. And in terms of your “story”, it will be important to explain why you want your MBA, and why now. Be sure your story makes sense, and is realistic and specific.

Keep in mind that the application process is truly holistic, and committees will also look at your stats - GPA and GMAT/GRE - and extracurriculars.
I suggest taking an exam up to 3-4 times. You have nothing to lose since schools will only look at your highest score. And even a slight increase can boost your profile. You may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus.
Regarding extracurriculars, make sure to really emphasize your leadership roles you have taken on.

Good luck to you!

Aim for a high GMAT score. Your impressive work resume coupled with a high GMAT score will strengthen your application a lot.