AIM Team Secures Third Place at Yale Africa Startup Review, Marks Third Straight Year as Finalists
The spirit of collaboration, innovation, and global impact was once again on full display as a multidisciplinary team from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) earned Third Place at the 2026 Yale Africa Startup Review (YASR)—marking the Institute’s third consecutive year as a finalist in the prestigious international competition.
Founded by students at the Yale School of Management, the Yale Africa Startup Review is a global initiative that recognizes Africa’s most promising startups while providing graduate students from leading business schools around the world with an opportunity to solve real-world business challenges. The program connects emerging African ventures with future business leaders, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and generating practical strategies that help startups accelerate growth and create lasting social and economic impact.
Representing AIM were:
- Vanessa Grace S. Japson
Executive Master in Business Administration 2026A - Catherine Joyce C. Espineda
Executive Master in Business Administration 2026A - Joaquin J. Panaligan
Master in International Business Law 2026 - Trina Biswas
International Master of Business Administration 2026
Their achievement reflects the strength of collaboration across the programs of the AIM Washington SyCip Graduate School of Business, where diverse academic backgrounds and professional experiences converge to address complex global challenges.
Solving Real Problems Across Continents
This year’s competition challenged student teams to work closely with African startups to address pressing business issues. The AIM team partnered with XchangeBOX, an agricultural technology (agritech) startup based in Nigeria, where they developed strategic recommendations focused on capital raising and long-term growth.
Rather than creating a conventional investor presentation, the team designed a comprehensive capital-raising playbook that included a capital stack, funding roadmap, and contingency plans tailored to the realities of the African investment landscape. Their recommendations also addressed the expectations of development finance institutions and impact investors—offering practical guidance that aligned with the startup’s ongoing fundraising efforts.
For Vanessa Grace Japson, the experience was both professionally transformative and personally affirming.
“The YASR competition was one of the most intellectually demanding activities I’ve had in AIM. We worked with an agritech startup company in Nigeria, which required me to gain a deeper understanding of African macroeconomics, agritech, and supply chain dynamics. Rather than a standard pitch, we developed a capital stack and roadmap for XchangeBOX, including contingency plans built around real friction points in the African market.
More personally, this competition reminded me that my capabilities extend beyond my professional lane. Having spent my career in audit, I discovered that I can contribute meaningfully in development finance and impact investing. Winning validated that.”
Japson also highlighted the value of working alongside teammates from different AIM programs, noting that learning how to leverage one another’s strengths under pressure became an important lesson in itself.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For Catherine Joyce Espineda, the competition offered an opportunity to apply classroom learning to a complex international business challenge while creating meaningful impact for the client startup.
“It was a stimulating and novel experience because it tested how well I could synthesize everything I’ve learned in the Executive Master in Business Administration program while understanding an unfamiliar industry in a short period of time. We had to frame the problem, identify the right scope, and deliver a solution that would be meaningful for the startup.
I signed up for the exposure and learning, but I stayed for the positive impact we wanted to leave with the company. Ultimately, our success came from our diverse experiences, our openness to exchange ideas, and our shared commitment to creating impact while learning together.”
Her reflections underscore one of the defining strengths of the Yale Africa Startup Review: enabling students to bridge academic knowledge with practical consulting experience in a global setting.
Diversity as a Competitive Advantage
For Joaquin “Wax” Panaligan, one of the competition’s greatest rewards was the opportunity to collaborate across cultures, disciplines, and perspectives.
“One of the most valuable aspects of the YASR journey was working closely with a startup and with teammates from diverse cultural backgrounds and academic programs at AIM. We invested time in understanding the root cause of the startup’s challenge before developing our solution, constantly questioning assumptions and aligning our perspectives.
Coming from different AIM programs allowed us to integrate multiple viewpoints, and this diversity became one of our greatest strengths. Beyond the competition itself, what made the experience truly memorable were the professional relationships and friendships we built along the way.”
His reflections highlight how interdisciplinary collaboration—an essential element of graduate education at AIM—translates into innovative and practical business solutions.
A Continuing Legacy of Global Excellence
The team’s Third Place finish continues the Institute’s strong performance at the Yale Africa Startup Review, reinforcing its reputation for developing globally competitive leaders capable of navigating complex business environments and delivering impact across industries and borders.
Beyond the recognition, the competition exemplifies the Institute’s commitment to experiential learning, international engagement, and purpose-driven leadership. By working alongside entrepreneurs tackling real-world challenges in emerging markets, students gain invaluable consulting experience while contributing meaningful solutions that support innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
As AIM celebrates another milestone on the global stage, the achievement stands as a testament to what is possible when diverse perspectives, intellectual rigor, and a shared purpose come together—not only to compete, but to create lasting impact.
Be Part of the Next Global Success Story
Global opportunities begin with the right learning environment. Through international competitions, industry collaborations, and real-world consulting engagements, the Asian Institute of Management equips students with the knowledge, perspective, and leadership skills to create meaningful impact across industries and borders.
Whether you’re looking to expand your expertise, build a global network, or solve complex business challenges alongside accomplished professionals, graduate education at the Asian Institute of Management opens doors to experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.
Explore the Institute’s graduate programs and discover how you can become part of a community that is shaping business, driving innovation, and creating impact around the world.
