MAKATI, Philippines – The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) is proud to announce the remarkable achievement of Luisito II Sangalang, EMBA 2024. Along with his teammates from IE Business School and Fudan MIT, they won 1st place in the Yale Africa Startup Review, (YASR) Africa Startup Ecosystem Lab (ASEL) Competition. This competition was organized by the Africa Business Society Club of the Yale School of Management.
ASEL is a dynamic initiative designed to connect talented students from leading universities around the globe with innovative entrepreneurs featured in the Yale Startup Review. For over six weeks, participants collaborated virtually with their assigned startups, addressing crucial go-tomarket and product/service challenges. This competition showcased academic and professional capabilities of the students and provided an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the African entrepreneurial landscape.
Mr. Sangalang described their winning submission. “Our project was a business proposal for SquadGo, a startup focused on redefining urban mobility in Nairobi. We presented a detailed market analysis, identified key challenges, and offered strategic recommendations to enhance SquadGo's market presence and operational efficiency. Our key deliverables included financial analysis, a strategic roadmap, and innovative solutions to improve both rider and driver experiences."
Reflecting on his experience, he credited the skills he gained from the Executive Master in Business Administration program for their success. "The program provided a comprehensive education, equipping me with essential skills in strategic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. This foundation was crucial in developing a well-rounded and impactful business proposal."
Mr. Sangalang shared the lessons he learned during the experience. "The key takeaways I got were the value of collaborating with international experts from diverse fields, overcoming scheduling and market research challenges, and the importance of adaptability in strategic planning."
He encouraged other AIM students eager to participate in similar competitions. “I recommend building strong relationships with teammates, leveraging their expertise, gaining an intimate understanding of the market, and being prepared to dedicate personal time. Frequent and effective communication and collaboration are key to success."
Mr. Sangalang found great reward in his participation at ASEL. Learning different perspectives on financial projections and research frameworks for startup pitches, he discovered new business opportunities which provided a gateway into competing at an international level.
His experience emphasizes the value of global collaboration, strategic innovation, and dedicated mentorship that AIM instills in its students. Mr. Sangalang’s success story is an inspiration to aspiring business owners and is a testament to the transformative impact of cross-cultural partnerships in the startup ecosystem. AIM celebrates his achievement and looks forward to seeing the positive influence that he will continue to make in the business world.