Kellogg Chronicles: Experiencing India’s Tech Evolution

An EMBA student takes readers to India to explore the fundamentals behind successful startups and social ventures.
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Kellogg
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Photo of students holding a banner that says Techventure India
Students in the Tech Venture India global elective course with Professor Mohan Sawhney.

This content, written by Executive MBA student Lena Zell ’24, was originally published by Poets&Quants.

Lena Zell is a Solutions Engineering Leader at Cisco Meraki. She brings close to 15 years of valuable experience to her role at Cisco, having initiated her technology journey in the military as a member of the United States Marine Corps. Zell is part of EMBA Cohort 13, graduating in June 2024.

Reflecting on my experience in Kellogg’s EMBA Tech Ventures global elective, I didn’t just gain classroom knowledge. I also picked up insights gleaned from an immersive experience that took me from my home in Chicago to the dynamic cities of Delhi and Bangalore in India. This journey has been both humbling and transformative highlighting the significant impact of innovation and optimism in shaping a brighter future.

As I participated in alumni events, industry panels and discussions with women entrepreneurs, I found myself immersed in a world where razor-focus on a problem statement and unwavering perseverance drives innovation. On campus, we explored the distinctive ecosystem and trends within India. After we arrived in India, we learned about why launching and scaling a start up in India is ideal place for such ventures. As we met with founders and CEOs of remarkable companies, a recurring theme emerged: they all possessed a passion for creating solutions to solve problems to elevate and propel India forward.

A group of students in front of the Taj Mahal
A cultural experience at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India for students that arrived early.

Class formatting allows for deeper understanding

The journey started on Northwestern’s Evanston campus, where we learned about India’s unique trends, technology ecosystems, and the challenges associated with creating solutions at scale for a nation with 1.4 billion people. The classroom instruction laid the groundwork for what we would see in country. We explored topics such as the Indian startup landscape and drew comparisons between Silicon Valley in the U.S and the role of technology ecosystems for nurturing innovation. My peers and I were so excited for our classroom sessions on Generative AI, Cloud Computing, and the Mobile Revolution.

We also discussed the crucial role that policymakers play in enabling or hindering development. We learned that the Indian government has developed a pioneering Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) system. At its core, DPI is a digital toolkit that simplifies access to essential services for citizens, including a unified payment system, verified identity management, and data protection. Essentially, DPI uses digital innovation to tackle socio-economic challenges, improve quality of life, and ensure that all citizens can participate in the economy.

Bridging the conceptual insights with practical exposure, the journey transitioned from the classroom to the streets of India under the guidance of esteemed Professor Mohan Sawhney. This shift from conceptual insights to practical exposure vividly illustrated the tangible impact and value of an immersive global elective.

Global electives for EMBA students provide exposure to international business practices and diverse viewpoints, which are crucial for thriving in a globalized world. They are an invaluable part of any educational path, offering significant benefits from both a personal-growth and professional perspective.

Read the original article in its entirety on Poets&Quants to hear from Lena Zell about her transformative trip exploring tech ventures in India.