Ade Oparinu, Chicago Booth MBA Class of 2027
Age: 28
Hometown: Osun, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Federal University of Technology, Akure (Majored in Technology Management and Logistics)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Co-founded two startups, the most recent of which is a fintech platform; think Acorns or Chime, but designed for Africa. We grew rapidly and were acquired within 15 months of launch. Before that, I led Operations at MAX, a Series B electric mobility startup helping thousands of drivers earn sustainable livelihoods.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After selling my last startup and spending two extra years to scale it to profitability, I figured it was time to take a break, meet new people from all over the world, and have fun while also developing the next big thing. A business school felt like the ideal place to do all that.
I also know my next startup will be in healthcare, so I wanted proximity to clinicians and innovators shaping the future of care.
Why did you choose Chicago Booth? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I’ve been a self-starter for most of my life, so I wanted an environment that gives me full control over my development. Booth’s structure does exactly that; it empowers students to design their own journey from the very beginning. You choose your courses, professors, teaching style, and even the timing of classes, aligning everything perfectly with your personal goals, whatever they might be.
I also wanted a place connected to a strong medical ecosystem. Booth gives me easy access to innovators across UChicago Medicine and Northwestern Medicine, two of the most forward-thinking healthcare institutions in the U.S., which is critical for my goal of building a healthcare startup.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I believe my most valuable contribution is my bias for action. I’ve always been the kind of person who moves ideas from talk to traction. Booth’s curriculum is very practical; beyond class discussions, there’s a lot of actual doing, from conducting human behavioral research in the real world for psychology classes to running real customer discovery interviews for startups in venture courses. My bias for action makes it easy for me to rally people and drive momentum on these kinds of projects.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
There is a cool project I’m working on with a friend from Harvard, where we’re documenting our exploration of the commonalities and tension points between the Yoruba culture (where we’re both from) and the Christian faith. We’re hoping to complete our first collection soon.
Post-MBA career interests:
Entrepreneurship (Healthtech Startup)
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I spent a significant amount of time clarifying my MBA goals and selecting places that align perfectly with those goals. It’s a very personal and expensive journey; you want to be sure you’re investing in the best place for you.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I’d start engaging with faculty, alumni, and admin teams about my goals right after submitting my application, not after admission. The insights and relationships I built later have been invaluable; I just wish I had started sooner.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Writing the GRE. It was tough balancing prep with running a startup full-time. But once that was behind me, everything else felt more natural, and I could focus on telling my authentic story.
What is your initial impression of the Chicago Booth students/culture/community?
Booth’s Pay It Forward culture isn’t just a slogan plastered across the school’s website; it’s a virtue they live and breathe every waking hour. Everyone I have tried to connect with has been genuinely interested in helping in the best ways possible; they really go out of their way. I’ve truly felt at home since day one.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’ve joined the African American MBA and Booth Africa Clubs; they’re my primary community here. The Christians in Business Club keeps me grounded in faith, while the Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club fuels my builder side. And, of course, Booth Gaming, because there is no better feeling than beating your classmates at Codenames or Taboo on a Monday night to thoroughly ruin their week 🙂
What is one thing you have learned about Chicago Booth that has surprised you?
Boothies can partyyy! I thought we were only all about the data-driven approach to business and quantitative modelling of critical economic scenarios. But alas, all that flies off the window at TNDC (Thursday Night Drinking Club). It’s really cool to see that most students ensure that this casual time of connecting remains sacred.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Around The World!
We have a tradition of hosting a giant potluck event once a year where students cook meals from all over the world. I had the opportunity to team up with four of my amazing classmates, led by a South Sudanese friend I’d just met at Booth.
Together, we hosted over 250 Boothies at my apartment, many of whom tasted South Sudanese food for the first time ever, and everyone loved our hibiscus-inspired cocktail, which was easily the best alcohol I’ve ever tasted.
People stayed till 2 a.m.; I’d never hosted so many people from so many cultures under one roof. Definitely one for the record books!
