Bharatvaaj Ravi

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

“Small town guy, Chess master, Aggie, Logomaniac, Father of 3, Future CEO.”

Hometown: Trichy, Tamil Nadu

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m the designated meal finisher whenever our big family goes out for dining.

Undergraduate School and Major: Anna University, B.Tech in Chemical Engineering  & Texas A&M University, Masters in Chemical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Biocon Biologics, Associate Scientific Manager

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Bangalore’s MBA program that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? When choosing a B-School, IIM Bangalore stood out not just for its stellar program, but for its responsive and supportive alumni network, creating an immediate positive impression. The school’s prime location in Bangalore’s bustling healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship hub was both a personal and professional win. Add in the promise of staying at the cutting edge as a part of Global Network of Advanced Management (GNAM) and a merit scholarship as the icing on the cake, and the decision was clear.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Bangalore? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? It’s hard to choose a favorite course, as each one is exceptionally designed to provide a unique experience – especially in the core semesters. However, if I must pick the most impactful, it would be Marketing Management. The professor employs a mélange of imagery and a wealth of factual constructs to make complex concepts digestible. He challenges us to combine left and right brain thinking, quintessential for any marketing manager, and pushes us to communicate in plain, simple words. The most important lesson I’ve learned is the power of integrating creativity with analytical thinking to drive effective marketing strategies.

What makes Bengaluru such a great place to earn your MBA? Bengaluru possesses an immanence of tech and startup innovation, sector variety in firms like biotechnology, aerospace, manufacturing, and finance, and the city-school location advantage. This epitomizes a perfect balance of ambition and opportunity for students, making it an ideal place for an MBA.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My proudest accomplishment is demonstrating resilience and leadership during a crisis at Biocon Biologics. When key managers left, destabilizing our R&D function, I stepped up. I established clear communication with leadership, fostered open dialogue within the team, and restored morale by delegating tasks based on individual strengths. Tackling critical regulatory challenges, I guided the team to success. This earned me top performance ratings, a couple of cross-functional contribution awards, and most importantly gained me the trust as a reliable problem-solver who puts people first.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: I’ve been fortunate enough to manage the rigorous MBA curriculum, while not missing my twins’ first steps and milestones (which are priceless to me). Balancing the intense demands of the program, with its relentless schedule and constant pressure, often feels like madness. Despite the late-night study sessions, weekend group projects, and back-to-back classes, I make it a point to prioritize family time. This balance is my greatest accomplishment as an MBA student—proving that even amidst the chaos, I can still cherish the irreplaceable moments with my children.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Our favorite hangout within our campus away from our classes is the open-air theater in front of the lush green gardens. Under the bright moon, during the devilish hours of midnight, a bunch of us gather there to chat about anything and everything. Despite the roller coaster ride of our course, this spot offers a slice of solace and a haven of peace before we dive back into the grind. It’s a place where we can unwind, connect, and recharge amidst the chaos of our MBA journey.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I aspire to take on a leadership role in India’s rapidly-evolving pharma and healthcare sector. Having engaged with senior leaders in the US healthcare industry, I’ve recognized the critical importance of coupling technical expertise with commercial acumen. The explosive growth in the Indian pharma and healthcare ecosystem underscores the need for leaders with these combined skills to create innovative and scalable business models. While my exact path remains uncertain, I plan to further augment my commercial learnings by working in strategy, marketing, and business development functions.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Bangalore? Clarity is key. I focused on understanding my goals and the necessary preparation. Reaching out to a diverse group of alumni provided invaluable insights into the application process and what to expect. Their perspectives helped shape my approach effectively. As working professionals, you will have multiple priorities, but staying determined and committed to your preparation is crucial. Starting early helps a lot. In Tamil, there’s a saying, “Even if you grab a thorn, have the determination to hold on tightly.” This mindset is essential to achieve admission success.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2026: THE ‘DO ANYTHING, BE ANYONE’ COHORT