Georgios Bolatoglou, Rochester Simon Business School MBA Class of 2027
Age: 30
Hometown: Athens, Greece
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Patras; Electrical and Computer Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Engineer, Consultant and Founder with over six years of experience in the tech industry
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After launching and scaling a startup where I built and led a team, managed operations, and most importantly, successfully raised money from investors, I developed a deep interest in the financial side of the business. I estimated a valuation, crafted pitch decks which I presented to investors, and eventually negotiated favorable deal terms. I realized understanding finance can help add a new dimension to the business and unlock growth. Thus, I wanted to expand my technical knowledge in the field and to eventually help other businesses of larger scale in a similar manner. After careful consideration and reflection, I realised pursuing an MBA will accelerate my journey to achieve such a goal and would also provide the optimal way to bridge my background with the financial, technical, and leadership skills required for such career growth.
Why did you choose Rochester Simon? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Early on, I spoke with Simon MBA students, and their experiences resonated with me. They described a collaborative small-cohort culture, and an alumni network that is very active in financial services in NYC. I could see myself thrive in such an environment.
After doing my research, I found out Simon Business School is very highly regarded in finance, with many concentrations, such as Banking, taught by faculty who bring real deal and industry experience into the classroom. I liked that the curriculum is project-based with live cases, real-time projects, and optional global immersions that tie everything together.
Beyond the academics, Simon’s close-knit community makes the experience truly personalized. From admissions to faculty and staff, people consistently went above and beyond to support me. Communication was exceptional and they were there to answer any of my questions—even months before accepting their admissions offer. I genuinely felt I was joining a family.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
Don’t just do it, don’t just do it well, do it the best way possible. That’s been my mindset since early on. I have approached every situation, from a simple team project to launching a new vertical/business, with excess dedication, assertiveness, and absolute exceptionalism. I see these same qualities reflected in my classmates as we motivate each other to bring out our best selves.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
“Who’s ready for a challenge? Whoever sings a song gets a black belt for the month!” This was what my Taekwondo instructor announced to the class. Eight-year-old me, nervous but determined, stepped up and sang in front of the entire class. Thirty seconds of bravery for thirty days of glory was worth it. I was the only 8-year-old with a black belt…even if I didn’t officially earn it until five years later.
Post-MBA career interests:
Finance
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Speak with as many current students and alumni as possible. Be prepared with questions and practise your stories and motives. This would help you get an idea of the kind of environment you are joining and see if you align with the school’s culture and values.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Include more specific details on my essays and speak more about how I am going to leverage my experience to give back and contribute to the school.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I wouldn’t have skipped any part of the application, but what helped me get through it successfully was reflecting on and clarifying my motivations, values, and long-term goals.
What is your initial impression of the Rochester Simon students/culture/community?
Phenomenal, because of the unique sense of community. From the orientation week to our recruiting appointments, everything was planned and executed with one common focus: the human element.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I hope to join the Simon School Venture Fund, a student-led VC fund with over $2M assets under management. In fact, Simon is one of the very few schools in the US with such a VC. There, I hope to deepen my understanding of capital markets and put my skills into practice. I also look forward to sharing insights from launching, operating, and scaling my business, while also contributing to investment decisions for startups all over the US and driving meaningful growth in the business ecosystem. I’m excited to do real diligence, build models, and present the new ideas to the board.
What is one thing you have learned about Rochester Simon that has surprised you?
The alumni network’s responsiveness. I’ve been surprised by how quickly Simon alumni are eager to jump into a call with me, and share insights and helpful information from their MBA, recruitment, and professional experience. For a smaller program like the Simon MBA, the access and follow-through have been exceptional.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
After having won the first case competition during my first couple of weeks here in Simon, I am very excited about participating in more case competitions nation-wide. I’m excited to test myself through modeling and structured problem-solving on case competitions such as stock pitching/company valuation.
