Israel: More Than a Dream, a Catalyst for My Entrepreneurial Journey

Ark Sharma, an entrepreneur extraordinaire from Mumbai, India, founded his first company, Scented Slogan, at 17. By 23, he had gained corporate experience at Media.net, managing 22 global markets for Microsoft MSN, and Quatrro. Now, Sharma is stepping up his game with a business degree from TAU’s Sofaer Global MBA program.

Reflecting on his journey, Sharma explains, “Balancing entrepreneurial and corporate roles ignited my passion for continuous learning and leadership, leading me to pursue an MBA where I could apply classroom learnings to real-world business scenarios."

Sharma chose the flagship one-year Global MBA program at the Coller Institute of Management at TAU’s Faculty of Management, which ranks 7th globally for the number of VC-backed entrepreneurs, surpassing Yale recently. Here’s how he describes his experience:

Academic Rigor Meets Practical Experience

The academic rigor of the Sofaer Global MBA program is balanced with practical learning experiences. Courses such as Corporate Finance and Financial Accounting, taught by our outstanding professors Tal Mufqadi and Mohammad Zidani, laid a strong foundation for understanding complex financial concepts. 

Their dedication and expertise made the courses accessible and engaging, even for someone with previous marketing management experience like myself.

One of the most impactful experiences was the Business Simulation course, where we competed in simulators with our own companies. This course allowed us to apply our learning from various disciplines, including finance, accounting, HR, marketing, operations, and technology. Working alongside a fellow student from SDA Bocconi, our team excelled and won the competition. 

Ark Sharma with his classmates

The small class size ensures personalized attention and meaningful interactions with industry leaders, significantly enriching our professional networks.

Another highlight of the program is the exposure to industry and academia experts through guest lectures and mentorship. We've had the privilege of learning from visiting professors from prestigious institutions like Wharton, Columbia University, and New York University. Guest lectures from industry leaders (some of them Alumni) at Google, Meta, Nespresso, Wolt, Johnson & Johnson, and Reckitt, have provided invaluable insights into the real-world applications of our studies. 

Real-World Insights from Israel's Venture Capital Leaders

Israel is a global leader in venture capital, making the Venture Capital course a centerpiece of our program. Israel ranks as one of the top countries for VC investment and its robust VC environment has produced numerous unicorns and venture-backed companies, truly positioning Israel as a startup nation. 

During our courses, we had the unique opportunity to meet numerous venture capitalists and private equity professionals. 

We visited their offices and hosted them as guest speakers. One of our professors is a venture capitalist and partner at Catalyst Funds. Additionally, we met industry leaders like Dorin Baniel, Principal and Head of EMEA at NightDragon, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Several of my friends are now pursuing fellowships and starting their careers in this thriving industry, highlighting the practical benefits of our coursework.

Our program’s collaborations with different universities provided incredible opportunities to travel and work on consulting projects, greatly enhancing our global business perspectives. 

I had the opportunity to fly to Peru for a consulting course, where we worked with a real-world client alongside colleagues from my program and York University in Canada, whose MBA program is ranked number one in the country.

Beyond the Classroom: Lessons in Perseverance and Community Spirit

On October 7th, while traveling to Israel, I learned mid-journey in Dubai about the war against Israel. During this challenging time, I connected with another student from my country who was also coming for the same program. Despite not yet being in Israel, he was eager to volunteer and support the Israeli Armed Forces and civilians. His passion and commitment reaffirmed that I was among truly remarkable people and had made the right choice.

We were all thrust into an unexpected situation. The program commenced online because many of us were unable to fly to Israel on time because of flight disruptions. The management team and professors provided unwavering support for us. Professors went out of their way to ensure we could continue our studies seamlessly, often offering extra help and flexible schedules. 

This period taught me resilience and adaptability, essential qualities for any effective manager. The solidarity among my peers, sharing resources, and checking in on each other, made me realize the true strength of the community at Tel Aviv University. 

As the situation stabilized, we quickly transitioned to in-person classes. In-between classes, we maintain a very active lifestyle, with many of us going for morning runs, hitting the gym, and engaging in sports like paddle, tennis, and swimming. On top of that, there have been a lot of unforgettable beach sessions and nights out – we are in Tel Aviv, after all.

One particular instance that stands out was when our class decided to organize a spontaneous virtual concert to lift everyone's spirits during the online phase of the program. 

Talented musicians and dancers among us performed, bringing a sense of normalcy and joy in a time of uncertainty. 

I have had an amazing time with my colleagues, who have become more like family. We have stood through thick and thin together, creating bonds that go beyond the classroom. Two of my colleagues also became fathers during the program, which was a profound experience for them and for us. It fostered a sense of participation in each other's lives and created a nurturing environment for all of us.

Next Steps

After graduation, I will participate in an exchange program at Emory University in Atlanta. Upon returning to India, I plan to scale Scented Slogan and explore new business ideas I worked on at Tel Aviv University.

The skills and networks gained from the MBA program will drive my entrepreneurial ventures' growth and success.

The MBA program at Tel Aviv University has equipped me with advanced knowledge, skills, and a network of inspiring individuals. These experiences have groomed me to become an effective manager emotionally, morally, and academically. The challenges and support system have shaped my perspective on leadership and community. 

Tel Aviv University has surpassed my expectations, reaffirming that I made the right choice to be in a resilient and supportive country.

Applications for 2024-25 are still open.

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