Build Your Startup with Mukul Khadke, a graduate of SRM and Founder of Inventeurs

Did you find your experience here to be helpful for grad school/job? 

One of the major advantages of being at Berkeley was networking. This helped me develop various connections with people already functional in the industry. Such relations have helped me a lot to find internships. Betsy and Olivia were really helpful for me with not just academics but also to guide and show us around in the bay area.

Moreover, the design thinking courses at UCB came in quite handy during my MBA, and it has given me a clear edge over my other peers.

For finding an internship, it is really hard for international students to find an internship due to current visa issues.

Why did you decide to go to graduate school instead of the industry at the moment? How and when did you make this decision? 

While working to build Inventeurs, I realized I needed to develop my management and leadership skills. This is why I opted for a Global MBA program to give me more perspective about global scenarios. 

Choosing to pursue an MBA was a very spontaneous decision for me. Additionally, the COVID made me realize I couldn’t travel for a degree thus, I chose this program that gives me an opportunity to enhance my skills even when at home.

What personal advice, observation or caveats would you like to share as a grad student?

One thing I have realized while working for my startup as well as studying an MBA is that it is really important to have industrial experience and this is the only way to develop oneself. It is important to seize every small opportunity and speak your mind. Moreover, connecting with people is an important aspect of this job profile and it requires confidence. I believe being meticulous and attentive is a quality every grad student should have.

Is there anything you would have done differently in the program? Do you have any advice for future GLOBE students? 

I would like to have made more connections with various start-up founders, mentors and investors during various pitch events and visits to Incubators, accelerators such as Plug and Play.

As a personal example, I am currently a full-time MBA student and working on my start-up at the same time. What keeps me sane and helps me make progress are my connections. For example my friends from Chile, Dutch, and all around the globe give me great advice when I hit a roadblock or encounter other forms of challenges. So I would urge future GLOBE students and engineers in the Berkeley community to make connections with new people.

Another advice I would give to future GLOBE students is that you should really understand what you want to get out of being here in UC Berkeley. Specifically, your big picture goal should be well-defined so that this amazing experience will help you get further along your goal. Furthermore, Berkeley is full of astonishing people, but do not be overwhelmed by them. You should always stay true to yourself and march to the beats of your own drum. Lastly, be open-minded, and experience all that is available to you.

What are your future career goals?

I am currently working on my start-up, so a short-term goal I want to hit is to successfully implement this across India with the support of the Government.

In the long-term, I wish to become a start-up investor and accelerator director.