Many aspiring MBAs would not be able to fund their studies without the tuition crowdfunder's international post-graduate loans
For aspiring MBA students, funding is often of primary concern. 60% of post-graduate students need funding but many banks refuse to lend across borders, leaving students from developing countries with limited options.In steps Prodigy Finance, a pioneering crowdfunding platform which provides high-potential MBA and business masters students with international post-graduate loans. To date, Prodigy Finance has processed more than $140 million in loans, funding over 4000 students of 112 different nationalities. Its repayment rate is in excess of 99%.
“I would not have been able to realize my MBA dreams abroad without the Prodigy loan,” says Aditya Tripathi, an Indian MBA student at Oxford Saïd Business School in the UK.
After several years working in technical IT roles for finance firms in Mumbai, Aditya was keen to transition into technology consulting and take his career to the international stage with an MBA degree. Yet sources of funding in India were limited. Interest rates were high and loan providers capped the amount they would make available.
“Prodigy's product was far friendlier and more flexible than the other options available to me,” he says. “They offered me full tuition support and their interest rates were about two-thirds of what banks in India were offering.”
Founded by three INSEAD MBA graduates, the financial technology - fintech - firm’s borderless, peer-to-peer lending model connects a global community of private investors and business school alumni with students at the world’s top tier business schools.
Aditya (pictured right) joins a 95% international student body on the prestigious Oxford Saïd MBA program. For him, applying for a Prodigy loan was a no brainer: the friendly terms and friendly overall experience made the platform stand out from traditional providers.
“They don't make you ‘feel’ like they are giving you a loan,” he says.
Moreblessings Sekenhamo, a second year MBA student at Chicago Booth School of Business (pictured below), agrees. Although he was granted a scholarship to study at Booth, he needed additional funding in order to help cover the costs of living abroad. Yet as a Zimbabwean national - a country subject to US economic sanctions - securing a loan proved problematic.
“I heard a lot of no’s,” he says. “I was knocking on every door and contacting every company in the MBA financing business.
“When I contacted Prodigy, they were much more accommodating and much more willing to consider my circumstances and consider my application on an individual basis.”
Within a matter of days, Moreblessing’s loan application had been approved, leaving him impressed by the platform’s inclusivity and willingness to listen and adapt to students’ needs.
“I definitely recommend it and I continue to highlight it to my classmates,” he says. “It creates a sense of community. And it’s a program that I want to be involved with in the future, as an investor.”
Without Prodigy Finance’s community-based model, some of the world’s brightest talents would be unable to fund their MBAs, simply because of their country of origin.
Timo Marquez (pictured right) has a strong and illustrious background in the energy industry. He’s worked in cross-continent consulting, he’s started his own energy efficient construction business and he’s directed programs on energy efficiency at a national Chilean university.
Yet as a Venezuelan, there are few funding options available for him: government restrictions prohibit him from getting loans in foreign currency.
“Prodigy Finance was the only option,” he says. “The communication, the experience, everything was smooth.”
Now, he’s realizing his dreams, studying an MBA at HEC Paris in France and looking to impact the management of energy globally. “It’s never too late to embark on new adventures,” he says.
Prodigy Finance Ltd is an appointed representative of BriceAmery Capital Limited which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This document has been issued by BriceAmery Capital Limited as a Financial Promotion under Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Student Reviews
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
