Venture Capital Investment Competition and placements

My team made it to the ISB finals of Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC), an international B-school competition hosted by University of North Carolina (UNC). Regional rounds are held in Europe and USA and for the first time this year in Asia by ISB. 33 teams at ISB participated in the 1st round and top 10 chosen for the ISB finals. More information at: http://www.vcic.unc.edu/. Students step into the shoes of a VC evaluating actual startups and other entrepreuners. The judges are actual VCs.

In the first round, we were evaluated on the basis of a investment case analysis of a telecom based startup in USA. The winner in next round (nov 28) will compete against other Asian B-schools in Feb and the winner will go to USA for the finals.

I personally don't have much interest in the VC space but the competition seemed very interesting. I got together a very diverse team - an entrepreneur, a doctor, an investment analyst, an oil and gas maverick and me. That should come in handy in the next rounds.

Since this is a personal blog, let me also touch upon something in the MBA life. There are times when the journey seems arduous. The competition here is deadly and it is very easy to get frustrated. But as one of our professors say, 80% of ISB grad (and I guess all MBA grads) change jobs within first 2 years. And that change happens through the people you meet at ISB. And I have met some wonderful people here. Some true geniuses. With the placement season already starting, things are heating up and everyone and everyone is beginning to step up a gear. Interesting months ahead.