Entrepreneurship at INSEAD and Harvard Business School

Congrats INSEAD (most founders in Top 10 in 2022) Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Most over the past 5 years) & Harvard Business School (2nd most over the past 5 years).

“INSEAD was started as an entrepreneurial venture and has grown into an internationally recognized business school for the world. Over 50% of the school’s MBA graduates become an entrepreneur or engage in entrepreneurial activities during their career – it is built in our DNA. 

Of the 100 startups that attracted the most funding from angel investors and venture capitalists over the last five years, Stanford claims 43 – up from 39 in 2021. It is the highest number of startups from a single school, and it continues an upward trend for the school centered in the heart of Silicon Valley. Stanford posted 34 startups in 2020 and 39 in 2019.

Harvard Business School had the second most startups from MBA or EMBA founders at 23. That’s up from 19 last year which was the lowest number the school had had in the list’s history. In 2016, Harvard had 42 startups, but its numbers have fluctuated since, claiming between 21 and 26 per year.”

Would be interesting to have research done on the alma mater of the funders. 

 This would validate if it’s a network, course material or endorsement/signalling thing? I would hypothesize it’s 5-20% Alma mater, 10-20% Course and  50-65% signalling, 10-20% Other.

Top Traits of Successful BD and Sales Professionals

The Best BD, Growth and Sales Performers (n = 350+)

1. Empathetic (Able to listen, ask the right question and can feel their customers’ frustration or pain).

2. Belief (conviction, optimistic, passionate, confident).

3. Hard working (disciplined, methodical, relentless).

4. Competitive (The higher the level of competition the better)

5. Excellence (Curious and life-time learners that want to improve and grow themselves).

Striving for Excellence: The Key to Leadership Success

1 of the most popular values leaders aspire to today is ‘Excellence’. 

(‘Empathy’ is emerging but that is for another post.)

Interestingly… 

“Excellence is not being the BEST but striving to be BETTER.”

Being open to listen, learn and improve drives this aka ‘Coachable’ 

Is ‘Excellence’ one of your values? 

How coachable are you?

Future Trends in EdTech: What to Expect

What Education Needs

  1. Content: Books (eBooks), videos, and practical applications.
  2. Coaches: Teachers who act as education influencers (not entertainment influencers).
  3. Communication & Collaboration Tools: Tools for both physical and virtual classrooms.
  4. Community: A supportive space where students and educators can connect.
  5. Devices & Data: From blackboards and pencils to modern devices and internet access.

Some Thoughts on the Future

  • More Big Tech for Education Initiatives
    We could see more programs like Microsoft for Education, Twitch School, or Fortnite Science Lab.
  • Tech Targeting Education Levels
    • Amazon and Apple: Focused on tertiary education with services for recruitment, devices, and data.
    • Microsoft and Google: Targeting primary and secondary schools with licenses for schools and parents.
  • Global Tech Strategies
    • First-world countries: Focused on business and profit.
    • Third-world countries: Focused on marketing to build awareness and future use.
  • Collaborations with Influencers
    Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch could partner with educators and tech companies. Think Joe Rogan/Spotify for Education.
  • Teachers Offering Direct Services
    Could teachers create subscription models? Homeschooling might become more popular.
  • Marketing Strategies in EdTech
    Strategies like “pester power” and “parental guilt” could drive the adoption of new tools.
  • Grades as Data
    Academic results could become part of tech tools, driving smarter learning systems.
  • EdTech Acquisitions
    Big companies might buy smaller, innovative education platforms to grow their reach.

What’s Next?

As education and technology move forward together, there are endless ways to improve learning. How can we use these trends to make education better for everyone?

The 123* Matrix: Easy Steps to Start Your Entrepreneur Journey

A few years ago, I developed a pre-product matrix called the ‘123*’. It helps aspiring entrepreneurs take small, actionable steps. This approach allows them to start building value instantly.

The concept is simple: It’s as easy as 1-2-3! 😜

This framework is designed for anyone asking the question, “How do I start?”

Having used this approach successfully in the past, I am confident it can help you too.

How It Works:

  1. Name your ‘baby’ and describe your idea in a single tweet.
  2. Visualize your idea on one page. Use a blank piece of paper, PowerPoint, Excel, or any tool you prefer.
  3. Share your ideas with close family and friends. Gather their feedback and handle their questions to refine your concept. (Cost: $0, Time: 1 day)
  4. Create a Pitch Document using a template.
  5. Develop your Value Proposition tailored to your target audience. Use free no-code tools to prototype your product.

Reach out to your audience via message or email with a clear call to action for signup. Ask for feedback and incorporate it into your prototype. Repeat this process until you achieve a high signup rate of 20 – 40%+. (Cost: $0, Time: 7 days)