Janak Joshi, an MBA graduate from Bentley University with an entrepreneurial mindset, is living proof of the transformative potential of business school.
His MBA degree has led him to the role of delivering digital solutions for state agencies where he helps shape standards, guidance, and policy in digital & AI.
Discover how Janak leveraged the skills and network he built at business school to launch a global healthtech career.
Discovering a passion for healthcare
Before enrolling at Bentley University, Janak (pictured) had a strong foundation in computer science and a clear desire to forge his own career path.
Raised in an entrepreneurial family in Mumbai, India, Janak was drawn to an education that would allow him to build skills across key business areas such as finance, marketing, and international relations, alongside his primary focus on computer science.
“I was looking for a graduate degree that exposed me to an ecosystem of progressive yet realistic business framework, and a geography where my vision could thrive.”
“Boston, Massachusetts, and New England in general, really allowed me to be exposed to the healthcare ecosystem. It was the balance between the academic rigor at Bentley and the real-time validation from the industry that shaped my focus,” Janak says.
Janak’s coursework in management information systems (MIS), finance, and computer science further sharpened his focus on pursuing a career within the intersection of healthcare and technology.
He explains how professors would demonstrate real-world applications, adding: “It was a combination of the use cases, and professors explaining how what we were learning is actually saving lives, making drugs and medical devices, and shaping policy that influences the global healthcare scene."
While Janak entered Bentley with a loose idea of his future, it was during his time there that his vision crystallized. Janak discusses how the combination of the thriving tech environment in Massachusetts and the concentration of healthcare services in the area made him realize his career ambitions.
“I had a glimmer of a goal, but it wasn’t until I talked to mentors, academic guidance counselors, and career services that I really crystallized my thought process to realize that the intersection of technology and healthcare is going to be the way of the future.”
Leveraging Bentley University’s hands-on approach
Bentley’s MBA program gives students real-world exposure through corporate partnerships and Boston-based industry connections.
This environment, grounded in practical applications, gave Janak invaluable experiences for his career development.
“People would come on campus, and with Boston just a bus ride away, we had access to industry experts and professionals who played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the healthcare industry.”
Bentley's research centers are also beneficial in allowing students an inside look at industries. For example, its Center for Health and Business aims to bring together students, faculty, alumni, and corporate partners to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the healthcare industry.
Through these strong healthcare and tech connections, Bentley helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“The convergence of capital, academia, and hospital systems in Boston created a dynamic environment that supported entrepreneurial ventures.
“Bentley’s ecosystem encouraged practical thinking. Its partnerships with hospitals, pharma, and tech companies gave students crucial networking and internship opportunities,” Janak explains.
Shaping the future of healthcare technology
After graduating from Bentley, Janak embarked on a successful entrepreneurial journey, founding and selling healthcare-focused startups.
Throughout his career, he has established multiple successful ventures, blending healthcare expertise with cutting-edge technology. He recently sold LifeIMAGE, a global startup that streamlined hospitals' sharing of medical information.
"Exchanging medical imaging data—radiology, MRIs, ultrasounds, CT scans—was difficult between hospital systems. We took that problem and created a network that stops patients from being exposed to X-rays and ultrasounds again and again."
His ventures in the healthcare tech space eventually led him to his current role working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In this role, Janak is responsible for shaping policy and delivering technology that impacts millions of patients and citizens.
“My current role allows me to influence policy while deploying technology to various state agencies,” Janak says. “I want the future of AI in medicine to work for everyone—not just corporations or special interest groups. It’s about creating inclusive solutions that benefit society as a whole.”
Janak’s journey from business to politics has given him a unique perspective on the power of technology and policy.
“Going from business to politics, the world is truly your oyster. The decisions you make can shape not only the United States but have a global impact.”
Looking back, Janak credits his time at Bentley University for giving him the skills and confidence to succeed in the ever-evolving healthcare industry.
“Make the most of the ecosystem Bentley offers. Talk to mentors, industry professionals, and your professors. Be open to new opportunities, especially in emerging sectors like healthcare and technology.
“The program is what you make of it, and the resources are there to help you succeed,” concludes Janak.
