The SDA Bocconi-Rotman GEMBA Team Takes the Podium at 2024 SIP Brain Health Innovation Olympics

The collaborative efforts of the team representing the Global Executive MBA, a joint program of SDA Bocconi and Rotman School of Management, at the IXL Center Innovation Olympics have been recognized with second place in the prestigious 2024 SIP Brain Health Innovation Olympics. The competition, held as part of the broader initiative by Social Impact Partners (SIP), aimed to foster innovative solutions for brain health challenges.

Among the contenders representing five top business schools across Europe, North America, and Asia, the SDA Bocconi-Rotman GEMBA team stood out with the original concept of the Neurogenesis Lab. This accelerator, designed to cultivate a sustainable innovation ecosystem and funding mechanism, garnered attention for its potential impact.

"We are thrilled to have achieved this recognition on an international platform," expressed team members Shanil Bisram, Richard Legaspi, Ganesh Kaushik Gurumoorthy, Minqi Zheng, Mustafa Sabeh, Mohsin Iqbal, and Shrutya Bhalla. "Our journey through GEMBA has been transformative, and we are grateful for the support and guidance received from our institutions and mentors throughout the IXL Innovation Olympics."

The intensive eight-week program, facilitated by IXL Center, encompassed theoretical frameworks and a practical consulting project. The team's engagement with the Global Brain Health Initiative under SIP's umbrella provided valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Reflecting on the team's success, Ferdinando Pennarola, GEMBA Program Director at SDA Bocconi, remarked, "The dedication and ingenuity demonstrated by our students exemplify the spirit of innovation we foster in our programs."

Jan Mahrt-Smith, GEMBA Program Director at Rotman, added, "This achievement underscores the collaborative ethos and global perspective instilled in our students."

The team's concepts ranged from Central Brain Intelligence, an aggregator of information and best practices to support brain health; Retirement Planning, a global brain bank that drives sustainable retirement solutions to support the financial burden of Alzheimer's and Dementia; Health Vital, using technology to create a gamified subscription-based model focused on behavioral change linked to education, nutrition, exercise and community. All these concepts showcased the team’s multifaceted approach to addressing brain health challenges.

As the GEMBA team celebrates their success, they eagerly anticipate refining their concepts and exploring diverse avenues for implementation, particularly amidst this pivotal moment of global consciousness regarding these issues. If you're inspired to embark on a similar transformative journey, consider joining GEMBA and experiencing firsthand the power of education, collaboration, and innovation in addressing pressing societal challenges.
Applications to the Global Executive MBA program are currently open, with scholarship opportunities available.
Apply for GEMBA now and be part of the solution.

SDA Bocconi School of Management