“The generosity of scholarship donors has been life-changing for me.”

After a varied journey working on government consulting projects at KPMG India, such as the Clean India Mission, and launching two start-ups, Aabhas Gaba knew that London Business School was the next step. He hoped the MBA would provide a strong academic foundation in business management and allow him to pursue his ambition to “drive sustainable, innovative and impactful change in the global business world through entrepreneurship and government”. Receiving the BK Birla Scholarship gave him the confidence and security to take the leap toward LBS. It “has directly accelerated my growth, both as a student and as an aspiring entrepreneur”, he explains.

Aabhas’ entrepreneurial ambitions pre-dated his MBA. Driven by a desire to create meaningful impact he co-founded Gabson Technologies, a manufacturer of electronic, power and communication equipment, and Culsac, a neo-digital presence management company. These early ventures shaped his leadership philosophy. “[They] taught me that leadership isn’t just about direction, but about empowering teams to execute a shared vision. I learned to approach business with resilience, adaptability and a deep commitment to the people I work with.” 

His empathetic and inclusive leadership style was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he coordinated food and medicine deliveries. “The COVID-19 relief efforts began with a simple desire to help a friend but soon expanded into a community-driven initiative. The experience was a profound reminder of how powerful grassroots action can be in times of crisis…I realized that leadership is not always about grand strategies, sometimes it’s about mobilizing resources effectively for immediate impact. The initiative reinforced my belief in the importance of empathy-driven leadership and the need to address systematic issues, especially during challenging times,” he says. This period shifted his focus towards social entrepreneurship, “where business can be a force for good.”  

This ethos runs through Aabhas’ ambitions for the future. He hopes to launch a company that drives social and environmental change, using the skills gained at LBS to “foster collaborations between public and private sectors, creating solutions that address pressing global challenges. By combining entrepreneurial drive with a deep understanding of governance, I aim to influence policies and create a lasting positive impact on communities worldwide.” The scholarship has given him the freedom to explore these ambitious plans with confidence. Financial support has pushed Aabhas to explore unconventional paths without the pressure of immediate financial returns.

Scholarships encourage experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking. By championing global talent, donors have the power to shape the business world through investment in budding entrepreneurs who are not afraid to make bold decisions and learn on the go. “The generosity of scholarship donors has been life-changing for me. Their support is not just financial; it’s a testament to their belief in the potential of entrepreneurs to shape the future”, Aabhas explains.