Cass student hopes London MBA will fuel his e-commerce start-up in India — a sector set to hit $22bn in 2015.
Kandhasamy Muthu is riding the wave of entrepreneurship sweeping through the UK’s business schools. A co-founder of www.auraas.com, an e-commerce start-up that specializes in handmade products for women, the Cass Business School student is hoping to create a global e-retail brand.Auraas was founded in 2013. Based Singapore and India, the venture is competing in a sector placed on the map by home-grown Indian e-commerce companies Flipkart and Snapdeal.
Indian e-commerce is growing at about 34% a year and is expected reach $22 billion this year, according to the venture capital database CB Insights.
An MBA at London based Cass is part of Kandhasamy’s entrepreneurial journey. As well as offering £10 million in funding to students, Cass sponsors up to 20 graduates for Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visas, which allow entrepreneurs with promising business plans to stay in the UK for 12 months.
Kandhasamy started the MBA last year. Before that, he worked as a business development manager at a department store in Singapore. Prior to that, he was a senior finance executive, helping Australian property buyers finance their mortgages. That followed a stint in mortgage processing for Citibank Australia.
Outside of work, Kandhasamy enjoys running, swimming, writing, and traveling.
How was www.auraas.com founded, and what are your goals for the business?
I was working as a business development manager for a retail store in Singapore when the idea for auraas was born. I realized that in a high consumption market such as Singapore, almost all the products are mass produced, mostly in China and in countries with weaker currencies.
The market for handcrafted products is left to fend for itself, often from local suppliers which didn’t have the supply chain capabilities to take their products to a larger platform. The adverse environmental implications of mass production are well known. Auraas was born to address these two issues.
I procured goods mostly from cottage industries, but ensured that the quality met international standards. It has proved to be a success so far; the product range has been well received by consumers.
Auraas was co-founded with my sister. She takes care of the design side while I handle the operations side. Going forward, I plan to make auraas a respectable international brand that is conscious of the environment.
Why did you decide to begin an MBA degree?
Two years after I co-founded auraas, my desire to pursue an MBA intensified.
As an entrepreneur, one has to deal with various facets of business. Amid a whirlpool of activities, I started to wonder if my decisions were in line with the strategy of the company. I strongly believed that a good business school could not only stimulate the thought process in the “right” direction, but also open doors to other opportunities.
What made your business school stand out from the rest?
Three factors stood out. First, Cass has a strong finance curriculum and an equally talented finance faculty. Though my career goal isn’t finance oriented, a good understanding of finance is essential for any business leader.
Secondly, excellent opportunities are available for MBA candidates with entrepreneurial ambitions. For instance, the Peter Cullum Centre for Entrepreneurship provides development programs for budding entrepreneurs. The centre has £10 million worth funds to support ventures.
Cass also sponsors entrepreneurs for visas for a year after completion of the MBA, if the administration believes in the business plan.
Finally, the careers team at Cass works hard to help students realise their career goals. They bring in experts, and each student gets a free, five-hour career consultation over the course of four months to fine-tune their ambitions.
How would you describe the culture at your business school?
Extremely rewarding. There are 34 nationalities among the 74 students in my batch. As we work in groups, it becomes evident how valuable it is to have diversity and different perspectives in management.
Cass also creates events with industry leaders. These interactions help me build my professional network.
As much as it’s a culture of competition on campus, off campus most of us hit the pub around the corner almost every Friday.
Which aspect of the MBA has been the most valuable?
Without a doubt, it has to be the international electives. There are a range of options to choose, from Silicon Valley for entrepreneurs, Las Vegas for marketers, as well as China, South Africa and Dubai among other locations.
I chose to visit Dubai, where an impressive range of company visits had been arranged by Cass. It was an insightful elective. All the participating companies in Dubai were very receptive towards our management oriented research.
The whole class also went to Iceland this year. We were split into groups and assigned to work for real companies as management consultants. After spending a week with the company, we presented our proposal to the CEO and the board. This has been the most valuable experience for me. Cass provides us [with] incredible platforms to build our skills.
What advice would you give to people who are about to apply to business school?
My only advice would be to be brutally honest about what one wants to achieve for oneself after the MBA. Everyone will get a job at some point after graduating, but to be successful one has to be absolutely clear about what they want, and in which industry.
What are your future career plans?
I am currently working on a business plan for the retail industry to pitch to Cass, so that I can secure my entrepreneurs’ visa. Fingers crossed.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
