Circuits To Startups: How Goizueta Started My Journey From Engineering To Entrepreneurship

Since my childhood, I’ve been fascinated by technology—how things work, connect, and shape everything around us. As an adolescent, I would take apart everything from electronics to remote-controlled toys, eager to understand the inner workings. That same curiosity eventually grew beyond technology, as a budding appreciation for business sparked the question – what makes a business successful? Just as I explored the inner workings of the objects around me, I wanted to understand the secrets of great companies to fulfill my long-term dream of starting my own. That realization would lead me to found Voltage Learning and consider an MBA at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. 

My path to an MBA was not direct. It first led me to Georgia Tech, where I earned degrees in electrical engineering. My years at Georgia Tech were very rigorous, challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, providing a strong technical foundation to thrive in the ever-evolving world of engineering. While my technical knowledge grew, I realized that building a successful career and company wasn’t just about mastering technical concepts. It was about understanding how to span technology and business to create a meaningful impact for my community. 

After graduating, I moved to the Bay Area to work in the semiconductor industry with the goal of gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge tech. Collaborating with many of the brightest minds in both my company and the client site, I witnessed rapid developments in artificial intelligence and hardware technology. But as I immersed myself in such innovations, I noticed a growing gap—many professionals struggled to keep up with emerging trends, and technical skills alone were no longer enough. Strategic thinking and business acumen were increasingly critical to shaping innovation. That realization led me back to Atlanta to pursue my MBA, where I could continue to refine the ability of entrepreneurial thinking while making a meaningful impact in my community. 

Goizueta’s tight-knit network, rigorous business strategy curriculum, and thriving startup culture provided just the spark that I needed. The university fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, offering resources such as the Peachtree Minority Venture Fund, The Hatchery, and access to experienced mentors and professors who guide students from ideation to execution. These experiences eventually helped refine the vision for Voltage Learning—a platform designed to help students and professionals develop practical, career-ready skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and technical management through beginner-friendly, bite-sized modules, assessments, and videos. 

A common challenge that I experience each day for my MBA colleagues is staying relevant in a market increasingly driven by artificial intelligence. Voltage Learning aims to address this need, providing a structured and accessible outlet for students and professionals to engage with emerging technologies and strive to have meaningful conversations within their growing careers. As I continue my startup journey, I’m grateful to the MBA Career Management Center, which has partnered with Voltage Learning to offer a free pilot program and marketing support to help me bring this vision to life and support career guidance for the student body. 

With Goizueta’s support, my goal is to refine Voltage Learning’s impact, ensuring that students and professionals alike can confidently navigate a changing AI-driven job market. My journey has just started, but I’m keen to tackle the future. If you share my vision for inclusive education, innovation, and career readiness, I’d love to connect.

Interested in exploring Full-Time MBA opportunities? Learn more about Goizueta’s Full-Time MBA program.

Chinmay Kulkarni 25MBA combined his background in electrical engineering with a passion for business to launch Voltage Learning, a platform helping professionals build AI and tech management skills. With the support of the MBA Career Management Center, he’s bringing his startup to life and preparing others for an AI-driven job market.

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