The tuition crowdfunder finances the studies of MBAs from developing economies, who then return home to make a difference
“It’s always been in my mind to make a difference in Colombia,” says Andres Rico Grisales, an MBA graduate from Belgium’s Vlerick Business School.Born and raised in Bogota, Andres started out his career in finance, working in New York before relocating to Europe for his MBA in 2010. Yet following the financial crisis, MBA funding was hard to come by. And applying for a bank loan in Colombia is a long process, requiring a lot of paperwork.
“Definitely, Prodigy Finance made my life much easier,” says Andres. “The process with Prodigy was so friendly, so easy, so fast, that I didn’t bother looking for alternatives; I went for it right away.”
Prodigy Finance offers international post-graduate loans to high-potential MBA students at the world’s leading business schools. Since it was founded by a group of INSEAD MBAs in 2007, it’s processed over $140 million in loans, funding MBAs and business masters degrees for over 4000 students of 112 different nationalities.
In emerging economies in particular, Prodigy’s borderless, peer-to-peer lending model is opening up opportunities for students to study abroad.
During his MBA, Andres took part in a summer exchange at Peking University, known as the Harvard of China. While in Europe, he was selected to attend LSE's prestigious private equity and venture capital conference in the UK. After graduation, he returned home to Colombia, determined to leverage his newfound knowledge and make a difference.
“I have been sure throughout my life that I’m going to do something to change the world for the better; I work every morning for that,” he says. “I ended up working for the Colombian government, into finance, into private equity, into venture capital, and two years after graduation, I ended up starting a company.”
Founded in 2013, Two To Tango is a business networking platform based on supply and demand, connecting entrepreneurs with mentors and businesses with investors. It was among 16 out of 10,000 companies worldwide, recognized by the White House for its innovative contribution to economic growth in Latin America.
Alongside his own business, Andres is an investor and board member of early-stage venture capital fund Invictum Capital. The fund is looking to invest in seven Latin American companies over the next year and a half. “Part of the criteria is that we measure social impact as well as economic impact,” he says.
Throughout his pursuit of social impact in his career, Prodigy has been a persistent enabler: “They take care of the financials for me in moments when I need it most,” he says. “The support they give is unbelievable. It doesn’t matter where a graduate is in the world, they’re always available.”
Dhruv Bahl, who relocated from India to study an MBA at INSEAD’s Singapore campus, agrees.
“Prodigy is extremely helpful both in getting to the MBA, and once the MBAs over,” he says. “They have multiple ways you can repay, they accept money in advance and they answer your queries within 24 hours.”
Prior to his MBA, Dhruv studied a masters in financial engineering at London’s Cass Business School, partially funded by a loan from the State Bank of India. His experience was one of high interest rates, clauses, sub-clauses and dreaded repayment penalties.
And when he was looking for an MBA loan, he found the maximum amount that Indian providers were willing to give was 2 million rupees (around $30,000), a third of what he needed to fund his studies.
“Prodigy Finance gave twice that amount,” he says. “There are no hidden charges or hidden fees, they tell you exactly what you have to repay and when, and they don’t ask for any collateral.”
Dhruv returned to India to join Bain & Co after his MBA. In March this year, he left mainstream consulting to work for Paytm, India’s leading mobile payment company. Now, he heads up operations for its e-commerce marketplace, helping over 130,000 small-scale businesses to scale and sell their products to new markets.
“Mobile penetration in India is growing much faster than bank or financial services penetration,” Dhruv explains. “Through our platform, you can have people selling handicrafts from one corner of India to the other.”
Dhruv’s journey from an INSEAD MBA, to consulting at Bain & Co, to working at Paytm and driving development in his native India, was only enabled by a Prodigy loan.
“I don’t think I would have been able to go for my MBA without Prodigy Finance,” he says. “Now, I am in a position of influence in this organization, which would not have been possible otherwise.”
Student Reviews
Best Journalism school in Europe
When I first stepped onto the campus of City, University of London, I knew I was in for a ride - and not just on the Tube! With its vibrant energy and an impressive repertoire of programs, City U became my home away from home.
The Journalism program was kind of a big deal. Rumour was that we were the best in Europe!
The lecturers were not just experts in their field; they’re practically journalistic royalty. They were invested, passionate, and had a knack for turning the most flat press release into a riveting news story. With their guidance, I’ve learned to navigate the chaotic world of media like a pro.
The campus was a melting pot of every culture, being that we had such a diverse international crowd.
Being in the heart of London, I had the world at my fingertips - there was always a new corner to explore, a hidden gem of a cafe to discover, or a street performer!
City, University of London wasn't just a university; it was a chapter in my life story that I’ll never forget.
Learning environment
The teacher-learner ration is manageable, giving each learner a chance to gain personal attention. It is also easier following up on the progress of a student, as the numbers per class is not large. the conducive environment for learning includes clean classes, standard desks, world class instructional facilities and the opportunity to engage lecturers even after their sessions. The team spirit at City is above board, with learners getting chance to learn both from instructors and colleagues. This is the university of choice; the place to be.
Classes
I liked that each class had a manageable number of learners, making the professor-learner ratio favor knowledge acquisition. I also liked that study schedules were manageable, and not overwhelming. The focus on talents and gifts even within the learning environment makes it possible for learners to achieve the best of their potential, and this has worked to the advantage of those that have schooled at City, University of London
Classes
The diversity at City University facilitates interactions and is a direction toward the unity of the world. The classes are well built to match the number and needs of all students regardless of the elements of diversity that set people apart. The use of technology in delivery makes learning even more interesting and achievable. At City University there is no distinction pegged on the issues that make people unique.
professors
The team of lecturers at the Uiversity are well experienced. Their level of insight and the methodologies of delivery works for the interes of the leaeners. My learning experience was largely boosted by the level of knowledge of the professors at the institution, and their passion to transfer the same to learners. I appreciate every class I attended because of the level of insight I was able to gather
The best university I’ve been to
The campus and the people I've met have made it a wonderful experience. I was reared in a small town with a graduating class of only 88 individuals, so moving to City University was a huge adjustment for me. My dorm has more residents than my whole high school combined! I enjoy the atmosphere here, and everyone is so friendly. Outstanding academic options and a stunning campus. Really great from beginning to end. The educators genuinely love what they do, and the students are ready to learn. On or around college, there is always something to do with friends, and the social scene is particularly warm.
Bayes Business School
As a student at City university attending Bayes Business School I would totally recommend choosing this university as the experience is exceptional with great social networking opportunities . Professors are significantly helpful, delivering with excellence and professionalism. Everyone is happy to help and make you feel welcomed in such an esteem university as City, offering exceptional development and guidance through out the course.
Economics and Politics
Incredibly amazing university, the way they polish students and help them boost their morale and think intellectually is worthwhile. Many universities have international partnerships to allow exchanges between their students. The most obvious subjects for these opportunities would be those that involve languages, and the study of people and places.
Clinical biology
I really like it it’s perfect for me with not too many people and not too few either. All the modules are amazing. I love the toy bar. I love all the societies that I’ma part of. Especially the colour Bollywood society
Unlocking My Potential at City University London
My time at City University London was truly transformative. The university's vibrant community and diverse extracurricular activities allowed me to forge lifelong friendships and professional connections that extend beyond the classroom. I was impressed by the university's commitment to academic rigor, character development, and personal growth, which created an ideal environment for me to reach my full potential. The research-driven and industry-relevant curriculum provided me with a solid foundation in international business, while the dedicated faculty and staff offered invaluable guidance and support. I feel grateful for the well-rounded education and holistic experience that City University London offered, preparing me for success in my career and beyond.
Rather interesting
The academics are tough, but in a good way. The professors are experts in their fields, so you know you’re learning from the best. They push you to think for yourself and really dive deep into the subjects. But it’s not all about hitting the books; London itself is like an extension of the campus. You’ve got museums, galleries, and just the general buzz of the city to keep you inspired.
Urban campus life
At the University of London, I have experienced dynamic and diverse academic environment where I was challenged by rigorous coursework. You will have the flexibility to choose from the wide range of courses, participate in numerous extra-curricular activities and take advantage of the many opportunities
