From Engineering to Entrepreneurship: Journey of an International MBA Graduate
Marc-Antoine Thiriat
graduated from the International MBA
Marc-Antoine Thiriat reflects on his journey. A graduate of an engineering school, he chose the International MBA to enhance his management skills and bring his entrepreneurial project to life.
What was your academic and professional background before joining the International MBA?
My background is originally in engineering. In 2013, I earned a General Engineering degree from ECAM Lyon, and afterward, I held various roles in startups in Germany, such as country manager and head of marketing.
Why did you choose to pursue an IMBA at emlyon ?
I had never had the opportunity to learn the basics of business and management. I felt a real gap in my career regarding the business side, especially in decision-making. Joining the International MBA at 30 was also an opportunity to take a step back, reflect on my past journey, and consider my future choices. Moreover, emlyon business school has always enjoyed a good reputation, and having studied in Lyon, it was a natural choice.
Why did you opt for the entrepreneurial path?
Having worked in the startup world in Germany, I wanted to join a program that allowed me the freedom to create my own entrepreneurial project with strong theoretical and practical support.
How did emlyon, the IMBA, and the incubator support help your project evolve?
I didn’t have a serious entrepreneurial project before joining the IMBA. During my time at emlyon business school, I had the chance to join the incubator. This allowed me to apply the incubator’s coursework to my own startup (which is rare in most programs). I was paired with a mentor with whom I had regular check-ins. I could quickly test my idea with my target market, refine my concept to find the right "product/market fit," all while following the IMBA curriculum.
What do you remember most from the program?
Above all, I remember the connections with the decision-makers of tomorrow, people I still exchange with, and who are the most solid professional network I know. The courses opened my mind to the various stakeholders around a company. Lastly, I especially appreciated the faculty, who treated us as professionals in pursuit of knowledge.
Overall, did the program meet your initial expectations? What surprised you?
The IMBA program lived up to its promises. I was pleasantly surprised by the flexibility it offered. I truly received a highly personalized education thanks to the attentiveness and adaptability of the program director.
What advice would you give to the new IMBA cohort?
Spend time with everyone, try to open up to people you don’t know. They will bring you the human and professional diversity essential to your career.
What is your current entrepreneurial project?
After completing the program, I launched a data analysis software called leadsources.io, which helps marketing teams identify the source of their prospects to optimize their marketing expenses. There are two of us co-founders on this project, which primarily operates in the United States. Our ambition is to become the global leader in prospect data analysis.