From Founder To Finalist: Albert Djikeng Reflects On Goizueta’s Entrepreneurship Summit

Albert Djikeng 26MBA came to Goizueta Business School with a background in engineering and a vision for entrepreneurial leadership. As a startup founder and MBA student, Albert found a perfect match in Goizueta’s entrepreneurial community. In this Q&A, he reflects on his experience participating in the 2025 Entrepreneurship Summit, including placing second in the “Pitch the Summit” competition, and shares insights about the value of feedback, community, and staying pitch-ready.

Tell us about yourself. What initially drew you to Goizueta Business School?

My name is Albert Djikeng 26MBA. I’m currently pursuing my MBA at Goizueta Business School with a concentration in Finance. Prior to Goizueta, my background was rooted in engineering, having earned a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Professionally, I’ve had the opportunity to work across M&A, risk management, and product development roles at companies like Wells Fargo, Intel, and Texas Instruments. 

What initially drew me to Goizueta was its strong reputation for blending academic rigor with practical business applications, its deeply supportive entrepreneurial community, and its focus on helping students navigate a dynamic, cross-sector career path—something I was especially interested in as someone transitioning from a technical background to a more business and finance-oriented future.

What unique aspects of Goizueta’s culture, curriculum, or community made it stand out from other business schools you considered? 

Goizueta’s smaller class size immediately stood out—it meant stronger, more personal relationships with both peers and faculty. The school’s tight-knit, collaborative culture aligned perfectly with my own values around leadership and community. I also appreciated Goizueta’s strong emphasis on experiential learning, such as opportunities through the Center for Alternative Investments and the Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club, which allowed me to combine classroom insights with real-world practice. The Consortium Fellowship was another major draw, reflecting Goizueta’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—critical values for me personally and professionally.

What did you think about the Entrepreneurship Summit when you first heard about it? 

When I first heard about the Entrepreneurship Summit, I was immediately excited. As a startup founder myself, I saw it as a unique platform not only to showcase new ventures but to connect with entrepreneurial luminaries, venture capitalists, and like-minded peers. It felt like a rare opportunity to gain invaluable feedback, build relationships, and further validate the ideas and innovations emerging from Goizueta’s student body. 

Alumnus luminary Adam King, founder of 1587 Sneakers, reps his brand while fielding student inquiries.

Alumna Vanessa Jeswani, co-founder of Nomad Lane, showcases the versatility of her company’s signature Bento Bag.

How were you involved in the Summit as an MBA student? 

As an MBA student, I was actively involved both as a participant and a competitor. I engaged with the events, networked with visiting entrepreneurs, and leveraged the sessions to deepen my understanding of early-stage fundraising, venture building, and leadership within startup environments. Most notably, I participated as a finalist in the “Pitch the Summit” competition, representing my venture, Corridor. 

You are also a startup founder who participated as a Finalist in the Pitch the Summit competition. How did you fare, and were you pleased with the outcome? 

I was fortunate to place second in the Pitch the Summit competition. It was an incredible experience—not only because of the recognition but because of the quality of feedback, mentorship, and encouragement I received. The competition sharpened my ability to communicate Corridor’s value proposition clearly and persuasively. I was very pleased with the outcome and proud to represent both my venture and the Goizueta entrepreneurial spirit on that stage. 

Pitch the Summit finalists and judges celebrating the winning ventures.

Lastly, what are some of the key takeaways that you would share, both as a student and a founder, in your interaction with the Summit, the Entrepreneurial Luminaries, and other participants? 

Some of my key takeaways are: 

• Feedback is invaluable: Whether from investors, judges, or peers, the feedback I received challenged me to think critically about growth strategy, operations, and customer acquisition for my startup. 
• Authentic relationships matter: The connections I built during the Summit — with both established entrepreneurs and fellow students—have turned into ongoing mentorships and collaborations. 
• Preparation meets opportunity: The Summit showed me that the best founders are those who can marry passion with polish—communicating their vision with clarity while being open to iteration. 
• Entrepreneurship is a team sport: Engaging with other founders and entrepreneurs reinforced how important community and support systems are in the entrepreneurial journey. 

Overall, the Summit reinforced for me why Goizueta’s entrepreneurial community is so special: it’s filled with people genuinely rooting for each other’s success.

Learn more about the 2025 Entrepreneurship Summit.

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