MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management: In today’s business world, innovation isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential. With India’s startup ecosystem booming, management education must do more than teach—it must empower. Sona School of Management (SSOM) is leading this change with its standout MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management. Unlike traditional MBA paths, this program gives students the tools, guidance, and space to start real businesses while still studying. It doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship—it lives it.
The MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management is structured to balance theoretical management learning with actual entrepreneurial experience. In the first year, students build a strong business foundation. In the second, they move into a startup-focused journey—crafting business models, prototyping products, and engaging in real market testing. With mentorship, incubation support, and investor exposure, SSOM ensures students don’t just dream—they build.
MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management
The focus of this article, the MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management, is more than a dual degree—it’s a gateway to hands-on entrepreneurship. This program blends the essentials of business management with practical startup execution. Students develop MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), pitch real investors, and receive mentoring from entrepreneurs and industry experts. The curriculum includes core MBA subjects and an industry-tailored startup stream in year two, enabling each student to graduate not just with a degree but with a viable business plan, if not an actual venture.
Overview Table
| Program Element | Details |
| Program Name | MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management |
| Year 1 Focus | MBA Core: Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, Business Analytics |
| Year 2 Focus | Startup building: Business models, funding, legal aspects, digital marketing |
| Experiential Components | MVP testing, live market experiments, pilot launches |
| Incubation Support | Sona Incubation Foundation (SIF) offers workspace, tech tools, mentorship |
| Mentorship Access | 100+ industry experts, 200+ PhDs, startup founders |
| Funding & Grants | Angel investors, VC intros, Startup India Seed Fund, IGNITE Innovator Grant |
| Real Startup Creation | Students can create their own ventures during the program |
| Alumni Startup Examples | Pedal (Nepal), amIt Global Solutions, Safi Gold Jewelry |
| Program Outcome | Graduates ready to become entrepreneurs or scale existing ventures |
The Unique MBA + Startup Program
Sona’s MBA + Startup program starts with a foundation year that equips students with a solid grasp of core business areas. From marketing to finance, HR to analytics, students gain a 360-degree understanding of how businesses operate.
The transformation happens in Year 2. This is where the MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management becomes a launchpad for startups. Coursework shifts to topics like startup finance, growth hacking, and lean business models. Students begin developing business ideas, validating them through real-world testing, and building actual products. The goal isn’t just to learn about business—it’s to create one.
This immersive, structured progression ensures students develop business instincts alongside strategic thinking.
Comprehensive Support for Budding Entrepreneurs
SSOM doesn’t just encourage ideas—it nurtures them. Through its Sona Incubation Foundation (SIF), the school offers full-spectrum support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Incubation Infrastructure: SIF provides co-working spaces with high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and collaborative work areas—offering a professional startup-like environment within campus.
- Tech and Tools Access: Students can access industry-grade software, advanced engines like Unreal Engine, and data tools for their prototype or digital startups.
- Structured Pre-Incubation: Early-stage ideas are refined, validated, and developed into working models through mentorship and resource support.
- Mentorship That Matters: With over 100+ industry experts and 200+ doctoral mentors across fields like AI, nanotech, analytics, and IoT, students receive hands-on, real-time feedback on their ventures.
- Industry Interaction: Advisors include seasoned entrepreneurs, startup investors, and CEOs who provide insight into real-world challenges and growth strategies.
Access to Funding and Investment
Funding is often the biggest hurdle for startups—but not for SSOM students.
- Investor Exposure: The school organizes sessions with angel investors and venture capitalists, giving students real opportunities to pitch and raise funds.
- Seed Fund Assistance: With help from programs like the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, students can access grants of up to ₹25 lakhs. These funds support prototype building, go-to-market strategies, and early commercialization.
- IGNITE Innovator Grant: This government-supported initiative supports ventures in wearable tech, assistive devices, IoT, and more, encouraging social innovation alongside tech entrepreneurship.
Real Startup Successes
The impact of the MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management can be seen through its successful alumni:
- Bigyan Gupta (MBA 2014–16): Founded Pedal, a mobility startup in Nepal, born out of his coursework and mentorship at SSOM.
- Kaphieel (MBA 2002–04): Co-founded amIt Global Solutions, a tech consulting firm that shows how management knowledge meets digital solutions.
- Mohamed Safi: Took his family’s gold jewelry business to new heights with business skills and strategic thinking acquired at SSOM.
These stories highlight how the program supports not just new startups but also helps scale and modernize existing businesses.
Nurturing Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
By integrating startup culture into its MBA structure, SSOM is redefining what it means to be a management graduate:
- From Student to Founder: Every student has a chance to walk out not just with a degree but with a functioning business.
- Leadership Focus: Whether it’s managing a startup team, pitching investors, or refining a business model, SSOM’s curriculum fosters true leadership.
- Job Creators, Not Just Seekers: With every successful student venture, SSOM contributes not just to individual growth, but to the broader economy by creating new jobs and industries.
- Resilience and Creativity: Entrepreneurship training teaches students to take calculated risks, recover from failure, and adapt fast—traits that define tomorrow’s business leaders.
FAQs
1. Can I build a real business during the MBA program?
Yes, the program includes structured opportunities to launch a real startup during your studies, with full support from mentors and the incubation cell.
2. What kind of mentorship will I receive?
Students are paired with industry professionals, serial entrepreneurs, and academic experts from fields like tech, finance, and AI.
3. Is funding guaranteed for all startups?
While not guaranteed, SSOM offers access to funding sources including angel networks, grants like SISFS, and state innovation programs.
4. Can I join the program if I want to grow a family business?
Absolutely. Many students use the program to professionalize and scale their family-run enterprises.
5. What happens if my startup fails?
Failure is treated as a learning experience. The skills, network, and experience gained prepare you for future ventures or corporate leadership roles.
Final Thought
The MBA & Startup Programme at Sona School Of Management is where management education meets real entrepreneurship. With a robust support system, industry-grade mentoring, and real opportunities to launch ventures, SSOM equips you to step into the future as a leader, innovator, and job creator.
Ready to turn your idea into the next big business?
Visit Sona School of Management’s official site and apply now to join the entrepreneurial revolution.
