Meet: Benji Eisenberg & Amar Kaur
Welcome to our new Meet series, where we shine a spotlight on students, alumni, and members of our community who have an amazing stories to share.
With our Kickoff just around the corner, we are launching this series with our very own REVCA Co-Presidents, Benjamin Eisenberg & Amarpreet Kaur!
Benjamin Eisenberg
REVCA Co-President
2018 Summer Internship:
Blockchain Business Development and Strategy Intern, Aion
Connect with Benji on: LinkedIn
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
After starting my career as a field engineer and then becoming a ski instructor in Colorado, I got into entrepreneurship as the first employee of a startup solar energy developer, NEI Solar. Working at NEI Solar was eye opening – I loved being able to touch each part of the company and have my ideas help guide our strategy and direction. What really got me hooked was the idea that small companies can be much more nimble in a rapidly-changing world, filling the gaps and innovating where large companies are slow to adapt.
Why are you doing an MBA?
The full-time MBA was experience I knew I wanted to have. Part of it was learning the fundamentals of business, some of which I learned in previous jobs. The bigger reason was to learn life skills around making decisions, motivating others, and managing myself to always be progressing in life. I chose Rotman specifically for the CDL and to be launched into Toronto’s startup ecosystem.
What inspired you to become a REVCA exec?
REVCA was one of the most valuable parts of first year. The Nuco trek helped me get my internship, and overall the club helped me get connected to the entrepreneurial community in Toronto. I’m grateful for my REVCA experience in first year and want to help provide the same opportunities to our members this year.
Why should people join REVCA?
People should join REVCA to explore their entrepreneurial interests, whether that means wanting to start a business, work with startups or in VC, or just exploring an entrepreneurial mindset that they can take to whichever industry they choose to pursue. REVCA will help our members become familiar with Toronto’s ecosystem, learn how to add value to early-stage startups and small businesses, gain experience in venture capital, and grow their networks.
Send our members a message. It can be advice, a recommendation, a promotion, anything!
Paraphrasing a quote from Sheryl Sandberg – rather than think of your career like a ladder, think of it like a jungle gym. There is so much to experience and explore. Have fun and do what excites you most.
Amarpreet Kaur
REVCA Co-President
2018 Summer Internship:
Web Producer, Creative Destruction Lab
Connect with Amar on: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I come from a science background; undergrad in Molecular Biology and Chemistry, and a Masters in Biotechnology from the University of Toronto. I ventured out of the world of science and into the world of business when I decided to start working at a technology incubator to learn business where business starts: from startups. I turned my creative side into a marketing-focused position. I started meeting a new innovative tech startup every day and I fell in love with entrepreneurship.
Why are you doing an MBA?
I realized that I needed to explore more aspects of running a business that I did not get exposure to while managing, developing and executing a marketing and communications strategy. I got that exposure and knowledge in my first year of the MBA on how to support business development for a venture or a new venture supporting-organization (like an incubator, accelerator or innovation program).
What inspired you to become a REVCA exec?
I couldn’t help but want to spread my love for innovation, entrepreneurship and startups with the student community within Rotman. The team that came together as REVCA executives makes me so excited to engage the Rotman community with the ever-growing Toronto startup ecosystem.
Why should people join REVCA?
Join REVCA because the entrepreneurial mindset is not just for people that want to start their own business, or work in a startup, it’s a way of life that will help you in any role that you take on. The way that an entrepreneur thinks is the way that a problem solver thinks: they push boundaries, test their limits and make an impact.
Send our members a message. It can be advice, a recommendation, a promotion, anything!
Keep an open mind. I never thought that doing a Masters in Biotechnology would take me into the world of innovation. I thought I would be working in a pharmaceutical giant. But I’ve never looked back. It’s addicting.