Ankur Gupta

Tell us about yourself, and how you go to where you are today both on a professional and personal level.

I am a quintessential global Indian with a global mind and an Indian heart. Born and raised in India, I have worked, lived, and travelled around Europe, Asia, and Africa over the last 18 years of professional experience.

I started out as a technology engineer and am currently working as Head of Western markets at a publicly listed software technology firm in gaming, digital entertainment, and payments, and I'm an active participant in the tech start-up ecosystem in multiple capacities.

I feel privileged and grateful for having received and tapped into those opportunities for learning and growth working with so many diverse people across cultures and the cross-sections of the tech industry around the world.

What made you decide you wanted to pursue the INSEAD GEMBA, and why INSEAD in particular?

INSEAD had been on my list as a preferred management institution for nearly 15 years. The GEMBA programme design with multi-continent campuses and classes with cohorts from each of those locations, with a modular approach every few months was the best fit at this stage in my career and life.

It was also an opportunity for me to deepen my strengths working with a global group and expand my worldviews to become a better leader and a better person. 

What expectations did you have before you started the GEMBA?

An opportunity to improve my management and leadership skills working with a world-class faculty and an exceptionally diverse cohort of fellow learners with a similar growth mindset.

Has the INSEAD GEMBA helped you in your career?

It has opened a new world of opportunities through interactions and exchanges with cohort members from so many industries and geographies. Including those that I may not have considered prior to GEMBA.

What advice will you give to prospects who are still considering whether an INSEAD GEMBA should be part of their career plan?

The INSEAD GEMBA is not for the faint-hearted. It is a challenging and demanding experience juggling between work, family, and education. It is also not something for linear progression in your career.

If you are open-minded to challenge yourself and let confusion and chaos surface for some time before you can start seeing new pathways and develop new worldviews, then this could be a great opportunity to dig deeper, reflect, learn and emerge with new leadership capacities.