I am a Ph.D. from the Strategy area, with my dissertation research in the nascent stages of Entrepreneurship. I have completed both my Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) and now a Ph.D. from IIM Bangalore. My dissertation research is a valuable milestone that captures many nuances of my entrepreneurial experience over the past decade.
In my dissertation, I study how an entrepreneur’s interaction with mentors, other entrepreneurs, vendors, customers, and investors influences the initial venture idea. The research implications directly guide entrepreneurs and indirectly affect the design of incubators and accelerators.
My dissertation research builds on my personal experience as an entrepreneur, which began during PGP. This initial understanding of entrepreneurship was enriched while I managed the incubation centre at IIMB – NSRCEL – and then as a mentor at the incubator.
IIMB has been a home away from home. The rigorous selection of the Ph.D. programme ensures we have an excellent cohort of Ph.D. scholars. Additionally, the research training that the professors of the institute have to offer is second to none in India, and very competitive internationally. The institute has also been extremely flexible and allowed me the latitude to build on my prior experience.
The structured coursework has been exceptionally beneficial in laying the foundations of our research area. The excellent training during the period and the guidance helped us gain confidence as scholars entering the field. Further, the financial support provided by the institute helps showcase our work to an international audience and also helps us develop research networks beyond the institute.
IIM Bangalore also makes the journey extremely attractive for doctoral scholars, by providing an active research community beyond the institute boundaries. The institute attracts numerous scholars of international repute and that is one of the biggest strengths of the programme that I have leveraged. These scholars spend ample time with us doctoral students, to help us sharpen our research further.
Last but not least, some of the friends I have made here would last a lifetime. With the investment we have done in each other, I am sure we would continue to work as a community and help management research of the nation attain greater heights.
To sum this all up, for management research in India, IIMB is the place to be.
