Ajay Rajnikanth

IESE Business School at the University of Navarra

“Basketball-playing, anime-loving coder who built a business, traveled the world, and dreams of improving lives with technology.”

Hometown: Coimbatore, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I share a name with a legendary Indian actor, but no, we’re not related!

Undergraduate School and Major: City University of Hong Kong, Bachelor of Computer and Data Engineering.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Alps Distributors, Chief Executive Officer

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The case method tries to simulate the real world as much as possible; it places you in the shoes of the decision maker and forces you to develop a synthesis based solely on the data presented. This creates ambiguity that prompts you to question your own understanding. Then, discussing the case with your team and in your section challenges your perspective by showing you that there isn’t one right answer. By the end of a course, your deepened understanding of the subject provides new perspectives and helps you reach greater heights.

What has been your favorite part of Barcelona so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA? When you have a program this hectic, living in Barcelona helps take away a lot of the tension. The city is beautiful and very cosmopolitan. Each of its neighborhoods has unique characteristics and charms, making exploration a lot of fun. You never know what you’re going to find—random concerts in a plaza? Check! Streets decorated like a Studio Ghibli movie? Check! People dressed in costumes running around under an umbrella of fireworks? Also check!

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the one key part of the IESE Business School MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? As a second-generation entrepreneur, I was looking for a program that placed a special emphasis on family business and the dynamics of managing a family with professionalism. IESE’s LAND course and the Family Business Club were among the major reasons I considered IESE. The LAND course (short for Landing In Your Family Business—Setting Priorities and Aligning with Your Family) pairs you with an alumni mentor, making you the focus of case discussions. It gives me the opportunity to see how other family businesses operate and exchange best practices.

The IESE MBA is known for heavy reading and rigorous academics. Has the program lived up to its reputation? What advice would you give to first-years to help them thrive in the early months of the program? It’s true the program challenges you with three cases a day, career preparation, and more. The key phrase here is “Trust the process.” At first, it may feel overwhelming, but as you settle into the rhythm, you’ll notice how quickly you’re absorbing new knowledge and developing critical skills. The initial struggle becomes incredibly rewarding when you see how much you’ve grown in such a short period.

My advice for first-years: stay organized, manage your time effectively, and don’t hesitate to leverage the diverse perspectives and experiences of your team. This not only lightens the load but also enhances learning and strengthens the bonds that will support you throughout the program and beyond.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at IESE? The career treks were an amazing experience. As someone who had no idea what the consulting world looked like, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the offices of many major global consulting firms in Dubai. We were able to talk to partners, managers, and consultants, gaining a deeper understanding of their daily lives.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: When I started the distribution business, I entered a fragmented and underdeveloped market rife with illegal imports, with limited business experience and little understanding of the nuances of operating in India. My task was to work with Apple to develop the market, increase sales, and align with benchmarks consistent with neighboring states. To achieve this, I conducted a thorough market analysis, studied competitor data, and identified untapped “white spots” where we could establish a presence. Traveling extensively across the state, I met with third-party retailers accustomed to selling illegally imported iPhones and convinced them to switch to authorized channels. As a result, sales grew 50x, and we onboarded over 400 clients, ensuring access to Apple products even in remote areas of the state.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far has been creating a structured system to help classmates prepare for internship interviews. Interview prep can be overwhelming, especially when it’s hard to find the right practice partners and manage schedules effectively. From November to January, many students struggled due to the lack of a clear process for matching people based on their needs and availability.

To address this, I developed a centralized system where classmates shared their availability, experience levels, and target industries. Using this information, I paired them with others who had complementary skills and similar goals. I also set up a shared schedule to simplify coordination.

This streamlined approach saved time, reduced stress, and ensured everyone could practice effectively. It also fostered collaboration and strengthened connections within the cohort, creating a more supportive learning environment.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Moments with my team have been some of my best memories in Barcelona, including heated debates on pricing strategies, long hours working on reports together, and watching a Barça game on a whim. My teammates have elevated the MBA experience for me.

DON’T MISS: MEET IESE BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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