My Summer Internship at Kaizenvest, an Education-focused PE Firm

This summer, I had the privilege of working with Kaizenvest, a private equity fund based in Singapore dedicated to investments in the education sector, primarily across South and Southeast Asia.

As a first-generation college graduate, my roots lie in a small village with limited access to opportunities. Thankfully, I was surrounded by individuals who inspired me to reach beyond the confines of my immediate community.

This early experience instilled in me a profound appreciation for the transformative power of education, which empowers individuals to unlock their full potential. Therefore, when I learned about Kaizenvest's investment philosophy, which views education as a powerful driver for societal change, it resonated deeply with my values and aspirations.

My journey at Kaizenvest was filled with exciting projects, but one particular experience left an indelible mark.

It involved a deal with a higher education service provider in the Philippines. As I worked on market research and collaborated with my team to create an investment memo, one particular statistic stood out – the average annual spending of a household on education in the Philippines. When I first encountered this figure, I was momentarily taken aback. I questioned its accuracy, but it was a publicly available statistic that undeniably mirrored the stark reality in the Philippines.

Coming from a Japanese perspective, where educational expenses are not insignificant, the significant disparity between my home country and the Philippines was shocking. Moreover, as an MBA student privileged to access world-class education in exchange for substantial tuition fees, I was confronted with the harsh reality that some challenges couldn't be easily overcome through individual effort alone.

This realisation prompted me to reflect on the true essence of diversity. While INSEAD proudly champions international diversity, I pondered whether we are doing enough to foster societal diversity.

What can we do further to harness the potential of business as a force for good?

Another project that captivated me was working on a white paper about 'Generative AI x EdTech.' In 2023, we witnessed a singular year from the perspective of generative AI, profoundly transforming our learning experiences.

While researching the latest trends and emerging startups worldwide, I became convinced that our learning, whether in school or professional settings, is poised to become even more personalised and accessible, acting as a potent equaliser in bridging gaps in access to opportunities based on different needs.

Furthermore, it led me to ponder how technology will redefine the very purpose of education. As AI surpasses human capabilities in various tasks, will it grant us greater freedom and productivity or mould us into homogeneous entities lacking uniqueness? As an optimist, I lean towards the belief that it holds tremendous potential to ignite learners' curiosity, transcending geographical and societal barriers and enabling us to weave a more colourful future as individuals pursue their true passions.

My internship at Kaizenvest was an eye-opening experience that exposed me to the realms of private equity, edtech, and the Southeast Asian market. I am immensely grateful to the Kaizenvest team for affording me these opportunities and to the INSEAD Hoffmann Institute for providing additional financial support to engage in such thought-provoking projects.

This internship experience was supported by the INSEAD Hoffmann Institute Impact Internship Stipend and gifts from alumni.