Growing up in Mumbai, Neel spent the first 18 years of his life in the Financial Capital of the country. Raised in a household with two working parents, his mother was a first-generation entrepreneur who dedicated her efforts to solving issues related to waste treatment in India, and his father had a successful career in IT consulting. His parents' hard work, problem-solving mindset, and impact-driven ambitions cultivated in Neel an aspiration to create a meaningful impact in the world.
From IIT Madras to the world of consumer goods
Growing up with parents who encouraged being hands-on, Neel pursued his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras, where he was exposed to invaluable academic and professional experiences. During his undergrad, building certain projects in the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) space made him realize how creating essential goods could impact people's daily lives. This realization led him to intern with Procter & Gamble (P&G), an opportunity that solidified his interest in the industry.
Upon graduation, Neel began his career as an engineer in a manufacturing role with P&G, where he contributed to the production of consumer goods. Over the next three years, he deepened his technical knowledge in product development and process efficiency. Seeking to move closer to the consumers, he later moved into a consumer research role, where he focused on understanding user needs and helping tailor product improvements. This shift allowed him to work more closely with end-user insights and create products and communication that were more relevant for consumers.
Why an MBA, and why now
While Neel's technical and research skills flourished at P&G, he realized that an MBA would empower him with the business skills necessary to drive impact at a larger scale.
This insight led him to explore the possibility of pursuing an MBA at a Top Business School to bridge this gap. His research directed him to M7 business schools, where he could develop commercial expertise while continuing his passion for the CPG sector.
How Admissions Gateway helped
Neel partnered with Rajdeep Chimni at Admissions Gateway and began his application journey. Working with Rajdeep, he structured his application to highlight his technical background, leadership in product innovation, and vision for the future of the CPG industry in India.
"I think people get bogged down by just how much work is there to be done in MBA applications, but Rajdeep really went to the last mile to ensure that things like even the application form were perfect."
The result
Neel's meticulous preparation and dedication paid off. He received acceptance from Harvard Business School and the Kellogg School of Management. After careful consideration, he has decided to attend Harvard Business School this fall to realize his dream of bringing meaningful change in the consumer industry in India.