In-class and experiential learning through CDL course lead to real-life impact for MBA students

Two CDL course graduates share their experience in the CDL course and how it helped them with their careers

They may have enrolled in the CDL course at different times and for different reasons, but JunYang(Jaime) Liu, MBA and Prateek Sodhi , both graduates of MBA programs in Alberta, agree that the course provided them with invaluable experience they would not have received elsewhere.?

The CDL course runs in partnership with CDL-Rockies and is available to graduate students at both the 加拿大卡尔加里大学 ’s Haskayne School of Business and the 加拿大阿尔伯塔大学 ’s? Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta . As part of the course, MBA and Executive MBA students are paired with early-stage science- and technology-based startups. The students support ventures throughout the venture’s nine-month journey in the CDL program.

Ventures gain valuable business development support to successfully take their ideas to market, and students get the opportunity to experience first-hand how to build and grow a business. This experience also offers students a look into non-traditional career paths they may not otherwise have been aware existed prior to the course.?

From student to startup CEO

Sodhi, a 2020 graduate of the MBA program at the Alberta School of Business, took part in a consulting tour to Europe that focused on multi-generational family businesses. This tour revived his interest in the world of entrepreneurship. From then on, he says he began to think about what sort of business he could start.?

He enrolled in the CDL course following encouragement from his professor at the time, Mark Huson , who is now the CDL-Rockies Academic Director.?

“The biggest draws for me to take the course was the opportunities to work with ventures and expand my network,” Sodhi says.?

Sodhi worked with two different ventures during the course and found it to be a reciprocal relationship. He supported them by providing market validation, creating marketing and human resources materials, and offering business insights the team did not have.?

In return, Sodhi was able to be part of a founder’s journey towards scaling. He witnessed the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, was part of discussions about challenges and how to overcome them, and learned what worked and what needed to be adjusted to see success.?

His experience in the course cemented his desire to start his own business. Following his graduation in 2020, Sodhi took on a job focused on investing in the venture capital asset class with institutional investor Alberta Enterprise Corporation. After some time working and learning in this role, he was finally ready to start his own venture.?

In early 2023, Sodhi launched Finofo , a “unified and integrated” platform that improves “how finance teams transact, plan, and strategize their financial operations.”

Since launching, Finofo has raised $1.25 million in pre-seed funding and received backing from major financial organizations, including Desjardins. The company also continues to generate a steady flow of revenue.?

From a course to a career path

Liu, a 2024 graduate of the MBA program, says his experience in the course contributed to his current career focus: helping ventures with great ideas succeed.?

“Prior to my CDL experience, I was considering being a data analyst or banking,” he says. “I’ve chosen the banking route, but with a focus on ventures.”?

At the time, Liu was working in sales and business development. He then pivoted into the financial industry, leading him to Haskayne and CDL-Rockies.?

“Haskayne was an easy choice, because I love Calgary,” Liu says. “As for CDL, I talked to people about the course and the more I learned about it, the more I realized it provided a unique experience. We would have hands-on experience working with ventures, and still learn the fundamentals in class.”?

Liu was paired with Cashew , who graduated from the 2023/24 prime stream. Cashew’s technology generates market insights from high-quality survey data to support small and midsize enterprises in strategic decision-making on developing their products and brands.

His work with the team varied from identifying customer pain points, reviewing revenue and cost models, and clarifying the venture’s ideal customer profile.?

Liu built a strong rapport with Cashew’s co-founders and after experiencing their progress first-hand, he decided to invest in the company.

“Through working with and helping them, I better understood their technology and financials. I also saw how the mentors’ attitude towards the company became more positive after each session. That’s basically why I chose to invest.”?

After getting a taste of supporting a venture – both with his skills and financially – Liu is ready to help many more ventures in the future, starting with his current role.??

Upon completing his MBA, Liu secured a position with RBCx , which aims to help tech companies scale by connecting them to RBC’s network.?

“After my journey with CDL-Rockies, I really want to help ventures in different ways so they can grow. I want to focus on supporting ventures early and through their growth stages,” Liu says.?

“An opportunity you don’t want to miss”?

Both Sodhi and Liu credit the CDL course, in part, for helping them get to where they are in their careers today. The alumni’s message to students considering the course??

“This is the kind of experience that you would not be able to replicate in a classroom," Sohdi says. "This will expose you to a lot more opportunities, and you never know – your career might take a big turn. I think you should absolutely give it a shot.”

Liu agrees.?

“As an MBA student, this is the best opportunity for you to be a part of this ecosystem and really get a hands-on experience and learn,” he says. “It's definitely an opportunity you don't want to miss.”

To learn more about the CDL Course, visit our website.