insightful Guest Session on “Beyond the MBA” was organised during Orientation Week at AKI’s Poona Institute of Management Sciences and Entrepreneurship (PIMSE) on 21st September 2026 for the First Year MBA, MBA-IT and MBA-HRD students.
The session featured Mr. Akshay Kendurkar, Founder – MyStartupValley, a startup ecosystem professional with entrepreneurial experience in building and scaling a ?150 Cr FoodTech business.
As a mark of respect and appreciation, Mr. Akshay Kendurkar was felicitated by Prof. Dr. Porinita Banerjee, Director (In-Charge), PIMSE, for his valuable presence and contribution to the session.
Mr. Kendurkar encouraged students to look beyond academics and use their MBA journey as an opportunity to explore, experiment, build skills and create meaningful experiences. He highlighted five key areas for students to develop — Exposure, Skills, Network, Reputation and Proof.
Networking and building meaningful professional connections were among the key takeaways. Students were encouraged to connect with classmates, professors, alumni, founders, investors and professionals, while building relationships based on trust, learning, mutual value and consistent follow-up. Special emphasis was placed on using LinkedIn effectively to expand their professional network.
Students were also encouraged to actively participate in E-Cells, clubs, events, competitions, internships and projects, focusing on contribution and learning rather than simply collecting certificates.
The session also covered communication skills, decision-making, sales, incubators and prototyping, encouraging students to identify problems, interact with people, test ideas and learn through action.
At PIMSE, we strive to provide an enriching learning experience that goes beyond the classroom, offering students opportunities to interact with industry professionals, explore entrepreneurship, build meaningful networks and develop skills for their professional journey.
PIMSE extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Akshay Kendurkar for sharing his valuable experiences, practical insights and entrepreneurial perspectives, and for inspiring our students to think beyond the MBA and actively create opportunities for themselves.
