SPJIMR’s Global Management Programme (GMP) focuses on enhancing its participants’ cultural fluency, global ambition and confidence, and Naveen Prasad’s career journey illustrates the same.
As he transitioned from his roles in Mumbai to the German city of Berlin, he was able to move from consulting roles to becoming a founder. He is now leading an investment advisory firm and is able to fully benefit from the skills, global exposure, alumni network, and values-based learning he earned at SPJIMR.
The early days: Embracing global opportunity through GMP
Naveen was among the first batches of the programme (GMP class of 2012) to pursue a dual-degree experience, in Mumbai and then at a partner IÉSEG School of Management, Paris, in Europe. Despite it being his first time living abroad, he thrived and was fuelled by the skills he acquired at SPJIMR; he explored every opportunity with purpose and passion
Through experiential learning modules and preparatory elements such as language training, cultural integration sessions and practical life skills provided by the programme, he felt fully supported in Europe. These early experiences helped him settle in and manage both academic and personal challenges.
Stepping into dual-degree life: Confidence beyond classrooms
Naveen credits SPJIMR with giving him far more than academic rigour. He says the balanced blend of theory and practice—including immersive initiatives like PG Lab (Personal Growth Lab)—prepared him to think entrepreneurially and execute pragmatically. Peer feedback from classmates who had studied elsewhere corroborates the distinctive advantage SPJIMR provides through its learning methodology and international faculty rotation.
Building a network that paved the way to entrepreneurship
Naveen tapped into a wider SPJIMR network of PGDM, PGPM and other programme alumni. As a fellow alumnus, he got help finding the right accommodations in Paris and was offered local guidance that made his move much smoother.
Even later, as he worked on building his investment banking and advisory practice in Berlin, he leaned on the alumni network for business development, referrals, and strategic advice – especially in networking with fellow alumni and experienced entrepreneurs from India.
Recognising excellence: Promising Young Alumnus award
Naveen’s exceptional progress and achievements in the early years of his career were formally recognised when he won the Promising Young Alumnus award in 2016. This prestigious recognition from SPJIMR acknowledged his rapid professional growth, entrepreneurial initiatives, and his embodiment of the values and the global mindset that the institution seeks to instil in its graduates. The award served as recognition of his successful transition from student to global entrepreneur and highlighted his potential to make significant contributions in the international business landscape.
Honouring the mentor bond: Lasting faculty connections
Naveen recalls how faculty support remained integral even a decade after graduation. He often meets with SPJIMR professors with whom he shares a deep rapport. For him, hearing words of pride from faculty carries warmth that goes beyond nostalgia; it reinforces the lasting bond between institution and alumnus.
Reflections on learning: From theory to problem-solving mindset
SPJIMR helped Naveen grow through a balance of classroom and experiential learning. One of his key highlights was the PG Lab sessions, led by supportive faculty such as Professor Lata Dhir in Lonavala. These lab sessions challenged students to think deeply about design thinking, problem solving and managing real-life business challenges.
Naveen reminisces that these experiences deeply impacted how he approaches business solutions today, blending analytical rigour with creative iteration.
Global exposure: Adapting to new markets and cultures
Naveen’s programme included studying at SPJIMR followed by IÉSEG rotations with partner schools and visiting faculty from Germany, France, the US and beyond. This diversity of teaching style, cultural nuance, and business norms helped build his confidence to work fluently across geographies, from India to Europe. Today, he credits this global academic foundation with enabling him to operate seamlessly across Germany, France, the US and beyond.
Advice to future students: Embrace the full GMP experience
Naveen’s advice to aspiring GMP participants is shaped by firsthand experience and genuine insight.
Enjoy life beyond academics
He urges students to cherish friendships, campus activities, and spontaneous conversations that matter more in hindsight than exam scores.
Build connections early
Alumni and faculty ties prove valuable once you begin navigating international and entrepreneurial paths.
Balance theory with action
Lean into immersive learning like PG Lab and cross-cultural classroom dynamics to develop practical problem-solving skills.
Takeaways for global leadership
Drawing from his experience as an entrepreneur and advisor in investment banking, Naveen identifies key competencies essential for global success:
Cultural intelligence and adaptability
Entrepreneurial mindset informed by academic grounding
Strong alumni and mentor networks
Confidence to take risks and build across borders
Beyond graduation: Building Bezahlt and future growth
After earning his GMP dual degree, Naveen co-founded Bezahlt, an invoice-financing startup in Europe. Bezahlt raised €3.5 million in seed funding to serve SME clients across Europe’s financing gap, using innovative scoring models to facilitate rapid transactions.
He also founded Agilis Capital Advisors, an investment banking and advisory firm based in Berlin serving cross-border clients and SMEs. Today, Naveen blends strategic advisory, entrepreneurship and deep cross-border relationships, all built on the global mindset nurtured during GMP.
A journey defined by confidence and community
Naveen’s inspiring journey, from Mumbai as a consultant to a successful entrepreneur in Berlin, is a story of global readiness, network leverage and values-based leadership. His journey affirms how SPJIMR’s GMP can catalyse growth not only in knowledge but in confidence, cultural fluency, and entrepreneurial courage.
For professionals looking to transcend geographic boundaries, lead innovation in new markets and build on SPJIMR’s values, Naveen’s experience offers a guiding compass: education and community, when combined with courage and curiosity, create global opportunity.
Learn more about GMP here.
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