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10 MBA Entrepreneurs To Watch In 2022

From edtech to sustainability to cybersecurity, these MBA entrepreneurs are making strides across industries—keep your eyes open for these startup founders in 2022

Tue Dec 14 2021

BusinessBecause
From Instagram to Alibaba, some of the world’s biggest companies were founded by MBA entrepreneurs during or shortly after their time at business school.

The connections and business savvy you gain during an MBA makes starting a business of your own a real possibility after graduation—and a significant portion of MBA students take this path. 

So what do these MBA startup founders have to offer? 

BusinessBecause asked a selection of the best business schools for entrepreneurship to nominate the MBA entrepreneurs that they're most excited about.* 

Plus, we name our three BusinessBecause MBA Entrepreneurs To Watch in 2022.


10 MBA Entrepreneurs To Watch In 2022


1. Caroline Williams and Mary Liu

Startup: junee

School: London Business School

Caroline Williams and Mary Liu used their sustainability credentials to found sustainable food container startup, junee, during their MBAs at London Business School (LBS).

Caroline established corporate sustainability challenge programs during her time at Deloitte, while Mary worked on reusable logistics at meal kit service, HelloFresh.

The pair were frustrated with the lack of convenient ways to avoid single-use plastic, and in response came up with junee.

Junee provides reusable food containers with a twist. Insead of having to take them back and forth from home, office workers borrow them from a partner restaurant, and drop them off at the office after lunch. The bowls are then collected, cleaned, and returned to the restaurants. The containers are easily tracked by scanning a QR code on the junee app.

The goal is to help employees support their local restaurants without relying on disposable packaging.

LBS nominated junee because it’s a great example of sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. 

“[junee] looks set to change the way we consume takeaway food forever,” comments Jane Khedair, director of the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital at LBS.


2. Areeb Siddiqui and Daeng Termizi

Startup: Kestrl

School: Cambridge Judge


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Areeb Siddiqui and Daeng Termizi both had finance backgrounds when they joined the Cambridge Judge MBA, but neither expected to launch a financial startup.

Areeb worked with PwC before the MBA, while Daeng worked with Bank Negara. Both are practicing Muslims, and when Daeng asked Areeb why he didn’t use an Islamic bank, it sparked an important discussion about the lack of accessible Islamic banking options available in the UK. Under Islamic Sharia law, Muslims are prohibited from earning or charging interest, which means many money-management tools don’t sit with their beliefs. 

In response, the pair founded Kestrl—an Islamic fintech startup that lets you save, spend, and invest in line with your beliefs through a single app. 

Cambridge Judge nominated Kestrl because alternative finance looks set to grow the world over, empowering individuals and businesses to manage their money without compromising on their beliefs.

Judge also hosts research centers in entrepreneurship and alternative finance—Kestrl is a sign of progress in both disciplines. 


3. Alison McMurtrie

Startup: Cyberpie

School: Warwick Business School


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Alison McMurtrie had worked with oil and gas services company Schlumberger for almost 20 years when she enrolled at Warwick Business School. She wanted to take her career in a new direction, without needing to leave the workforce for a year or more, so settled on the Online MBA offered by Warwick Business School.

During the MBA, Alison felt inspired to stretch her entrepreneurial muscles. Her cybersecurity startup, Cyberpie, is a subscription service that gives Irish small businesses educational content on cyber threats. As an Irish native herself, Alison realized that the SME community—and especially micro businesses—struggle to access the same cybersecurity resources as larger companies.   

Our first BusinessBecause MBA Entrepreneur to Watch in 2022, we nominated Alison because her career goes to show that studying your MBA remotely should be no barrier to gaining the skills you need to launch a startup. Plus, with more and more business conducted online, cybersecurity is more important than ever before.

Read Alison's story.


4. Kaitlyn Lo

Startup: Just Enough Wines

School: Michigan Ross


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Kaitlyn Lo pivoted from private wealth management to entrepreneurship during the Michigan Ross MBA. As a member of the Zell Entrepreneurs mentorship program, she used her time at Ross to work on her startup, Just Enough Wines.

The venture combines Kaitlyn’s love of wine with her business savvy, offering high quality canned wine. Each wine is sourced from premium, sustainable vineyards, and all packaging is earth-friendly—taking the concept of wine in a can to the next level.

 Michigan Ross nominated Kaitlyn for her impressive business acumen, energy, and dedication to her startup. She and her co-founder were quickly able to establish their brand, gain early sales, and secure $100,000 in investment. Just Enough Wines is already delivering to several US States, and looks set to continue expanding in 2022.


5. Ludwig Schoenack

Startup: Kyte

School: Berkeley Haas

Ludwig Schoenack is a former McKinsey and KPMG consultant who came to the Haas MBA in 2017. He already had entrepreneurial ambitions when he enrolled, and hoping to meet like-minded students, he founded the Startup Squad for MBAs.  0751594a679838ba47bedb7cd80b759baa665e95.jpg

The Startup Squad connects Haas MBAs with local startup incubator, SkyDeck. Here, Ludwig connected with his future co-founders, and went on to be part of Kyte—an online vehicle rental app that delivers vehicles straight to its customers.  

Kyte already operates in nine US cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angele, and New York City. The startup will soon be expanding its services to travelling customers, delivering rental cars to their hotel or Airbnb.

Haas selected Kyte because the startup has managed to find a niche with huge growth potential. It’s already raised over $30 million in its Series A funding round, and $40 million total. 


Check out our Top MBA Professors To Watch in 2022

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6. Raymond Mak

Startup: Farmacy HK

School: Hong Kong University Business School


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Raymond Mak worked as a management consultant at PwC before joining the Hong Kong University (HKU) MBA in 2015. 

At HKU, he met a group of students who would go on to become his founding partners in Farmacy—an agritech startup that uses automation technologies to create smart mobile farms to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to Hong Kong stores. The automated farms require far less water than traditional farming, and retain more nutrients than packed goods.

During the MBA, the Business Lab program helped Raymond conduct market research, develop marketing strategies, and create a robust business plan.

We nominated Raymond because Farmacy is a great example of burgeoning tech being applied to age-old problems. Raymond’s story also goes to show just how much an MBA can support new ventures, from helping founders connect with future partners, to providing guiding frameworks to start a business. 

Read Raymond's story.


7. Jas Schembri and Jo Goodall

Startup: Luna

School: Oxford Saïd


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Jas Schembri and Jo Goodall are two former Deloitte consultants who took the plunge into entrepreneurship together after the Oxford Saïd MBA. They used the MBA’s Entrepreneurship Project to explore and drive their idea forward.

The pair’s startup, Luna, is an app that educates and supports girls and non-binary people through puberty, by providing medically backed content along with a safe space to ask medical professionals anonymous questions covering all aspects of puberty, including periods, nutrition, sleep, and mental health. The app also lets users review and recommend products from period care to skin care.

The Entrepreneurship Center at Saïd Business School nominated Jo and Jas because they see real potential in Luna, and believe in the app’s mission. 

“Jas and Jo have the drive and determination to succeed in the tough entrepreneurial world and look forward to seeing where Luna takes them,” says Natalie Berge, program manager at the Entrepreneurship Center.


8. Hilary Matson

Startup: Yūgen Earthside

School: HEC Paris


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Originally from Seattle, Washington, Hilary Matson had always dreamed of living in Paris. Luckily, her career in product marketing management with tech giant Amazon took her there. 

She’d always had a passion for travelling, and it was in Paris that she decided to turn this passion into a business. During the HEC Paris MBA, she founded sustainable travel startup, Yūgen Earthside.

The venture is a travel-booking platform, which sources trips from responsible tour operators, and provides information on how you can travel responsibly while reducing your climate impact. Yūgen Earthside also uses some of its profits to support tourism-related projects that support UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We nominated Hilary because of the inspiring way she’s managed to transform her passion into a viable business and the attention she’s paying to sustainability. 

Read Hilary's story.


9. John Wong

Startup: Fluid Biotech

School: Wharton

As professor of neurosciences and radiology at the Cumming School of Medicine in Calgary, Dr John Wong might not strike you as a typical entrepreneur.  6db46a6c58f31059d5dc11cb671cf39654b42ae1.jpeg

Alongside his teaching work, John serves as director of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, maintaining a practice that mostly treats brain aneurysms and stroke.

But he’s also a Wharton MBA, and co-founder and CEO of medical device start-up, Fluid Biotech. John’s venture has developed a brand new type of stent—a device that diverts blood flow away from brain aneurysms, reducing the risk of rupture and supporting the healing process.

Unlike other stents, Fluid Biotech’s is engineered using both polymer and metal. Over time, the polymer portion dissolves away, making future brain imaging easier, and removing the need for the patient to take blood thinners. 

Wharton staff nominated Fluid Biotech because the startup is truly saving lives. Around 5% of people will be afflicted by a brain aneurysm in their life, and this tech has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of these aneurysms rupturing and resulting in devastating stroke.


10. Tina Chen

Startup: HumaniTea

School: Imperial College Business School

Tina Chen is a Taiwanese-American living in London, who graduated from the Imperial College Business School MBA in 2018.  4122d32e262015d13a173832e9e918146484b37d.JPG

Originally an IT professional, she used the MBA to pivot into entrepreneurship. Inspired by her love of both bubble tea and British tea-drinking culture, she launched HumanniTea—a social enterprise that offers ready to drink plant-based tea lattes.

The drinks are low sugar, low calorie, and full of antioxidants. Tina says they’re designed to help people add a moment of mindfulness into their day, without reaching for sugary or high-caffeine drinks.

5% of HumaniTea’s profits fund wellbeing and sustainability projects, and each drink is made from ethically sourced ingredients.

Imperial College staff nominated Tina because they were inspired by how she’s using her MBA to pursue an original social enterprise idea that not only addresses an important health issue, but also combined her Taiwanese heritage with British tea-drinking culture.


Next Read:

MBA Startups To Look Out For | Coronavirus Special


* BusinessBecause reached out to several schools ranked in the top 25 by US News and Top MBA in their annual rankings of the best MBAs for entrepreneurship. The schools that responded are included in this feature.

Student Reviews

HEC Paris

Student

Verified

7/07/2022

On Campus

Cultural experience

I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.

Sarah

Verified

18/03/2022

On Campus

Internationality and diversity of opportunities

About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.

Student

Verified

29/10/2021

On Campus

Great selection of people

While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.

Veronique

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

Best in France for Grande ecole

A prestigious business school. Languages ​​are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments. The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.

Ghadi

Verified

11/06/2022

On Campus

Diversity and quality of fellow students

Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.

Student

Verified

27/03/2022

On Campus

The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs

The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.

Lb

Verified

26/03/2022

On Campus

HEC Paris awaits you

HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.

Rajarshi

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

A dream institute

Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions. The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!

Student

Verified

19/10/2021

On Campus

Good choice for a career boost

The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.

Student

Verified

7/07/2022

On Campus

Cultural experience

I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.

Sarah

Verified

18/03/2022

On Campus

Internationality and diversity of opportunities

About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.

Student

Verified

29/10/2021

On Campus

Great selection of people

While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.

Veronique

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

Best in France for Grande ecole

A prestigious business school. Languages ​​are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments. The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.

Ghadi

Verified

11/06/2022

On Campus

Diversity and quality of fellow students

Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.

Student

Verified

27/03/2022

On Campus

The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs

The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.

Lb

Verified

26/03/2022

On Campus

HEC Paris awaits you

HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.

Rajarshi

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

A dream institute

Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions. The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!

Student

Verified

19/10/2021

On Campus

Good choice for a career boost

The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.

Student

Verified

1/06/2024

On Campus

Diverse

HEC, as an academic institution, serves as a launching pad for students to excel in their pursuits and careers. The diversity among students and professors is truly remarkable. The chance to attend seminars across five major continents is unparalleled. The exposure and relationships it fosters are invaluable.

Student

Verified

31/05/2024

On Campus

Super diverse

It's a super diverse and fascinating environment with tons of chances, but the management is very French, and the facilities like the gym and classrooms are not great. This makes the academic side quite ineffective. Plus, we're graded on a curve, leading to a competitive and sometimes toxic atmosphere. Despite all that, the benefits definitely overshadow the drawbacks.

John

Verified

10/06/2024

On Campus

Surreal academic experience

What stood out to me about HEC was the direction and insight it offered on coding approaches. Prior to joining the program, I attempted self-learning, but I felt disoriented and lacked a starting point.HEC enabled me to grasp the basics of programming and provided support when I encountered obstacles. Without that guidance, I doubt I would have achieved the progress I have made to date.

John

Verified

10/06/2024

On Campus

Good security

HEC boasts a dedicated team of security personnel who undergo rigorous training to ensure the perpetual maintenance of tranquility and orderliness within the institution. Their unwavering efforts are directed towards fostering a sense of security among the student body, thereby enabling them to channel their energies predominantly towards their academic pursuits.

Student

Verified

17/07/2024

On Campus

Innovative teaching method

I am thoroughly enjoying my time at HEC, from the innovative teaching methods to the welcoming campus environment, which is particularly supportive of international students. The extracurricular opportunities, such as sports and associations, are incredibly valuable. Additionally, the career services offered are exceptional. Overall, I find my experience at HEC to be truly enriching.

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