Antony Widjaja, Associate Director of Executive Degrees Recruiting at INSEAD, speaks with Jireh Li, Partner at INCE Capital and Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA) alumna, about China’s fast-evolving innovation landscape. Jireh explains why AI, embodied robotics and biotech deserve far more global attention, and how today’s AI-native founders differ from those of a decade ago.

Discover why this senior executive chose the TIEMBA to advance her career with a truly global perspective, how her diverse classmates shaped the way she builds cross-cultural teams, and the lasting value of two alumni networks, plus her advice for prospective applicants.

• 00:00 - Introduction and welcome
• 01:13 - What China’s innovation ecosystem deserves more global attention for: AI, robotics and biotech
• 05:46 - What investors look for in Chinese founders today vs. 10 years ago
• 10:52 - Why the Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA appealed
• 14:06 - Building high-performing cross-cultural teams
• 18:25 - A lifelong network beyond graduation
• 19:44 - Would she do it again? Advice for prospective applicants
• 21:47 - Closing remarks and programme information

Emmanuelle Lansari, Assistant Director and Career Coach, speaks with MIM’27 student Jacopo König about his bold transition from Italy to the heart of Asia. Jacopo discusses his passion for the booming robotics industry, his strategic shift from traditional consulting to tech and why he views Singapore as the ultimate launchpad for future innovation.

Discover his proven strategies for relationship building in Asia, the value of leveraging the powerful INSEAD alumni network and how the INSEAD Master in Management programme is helping him achieve his long-term career goals.

00:00 - Introduction and welcome 01:04 - First impressions of Singapore and Asia 01:20 - Why choose INSEAD's multi-campus experience? 04:07 - A passion for robotics and the pivot from consulting 04:44 - Navigating the tech symposium and building connections in Singapore 06:53 - Networking culture in Asia vs. the West 07:40 - Advice to his Fontainebleau self: balance coursework with community 10:07 - Embracing Singapore's multicultural ecosystem 12:54 - Looking ahead: robotics, Europe and the five-year plan 14:27 - What the MIM brings to the tech and robotics space 16:55 - Personal growth and stepping outside the comfort zone 18:28 - Summing up the MIM experience in a few words 19:19 - Closing remarks and MIM programme information

Welcome to a special Student Life feature of INSEAD's In the Know podcast.

In this episode, host Eva Laporte from the Student Life team on the Europe campus explores a side of the MBA experience that's rarely discussed: pursuing one of the world's most intense MBA programmes while expecting a baby.

Eva is joined by two inspiring MBA'25J alumnae, Sophie Delaye and Therese Langseth, who share their personal journeys through case studies, exams, recruiting and group projects, all while navigating pregnancy. From the shock of finding out, to managing morning sickness during exams, to receiving unexpected support from their cohort and their class officer, Elisa Duperry, Sophie and Teresa open up about the realities, challenges and joys of this unique chapter.

Tune in to hear how ambition, resilience and community came together to redefine what's possible at INSEAD.

0:00 Introduction: navigating MBA life while expecting 1:01 Sophie's background and finding out early in the programme 1:45 Teresa's background and an unplanned pregnancy before P2 exams 2:48 Did pregnancy make them reconsider the MBA? 4:42 Day-to-day impact in class and managing symptoms 6:36 Strategies and habits for staying on top of coursework 8:14 Navigating the social side: treks, ski trips and parties 9:20 Support from the cohort and standout moments of kindness 11:04 Practical tips: medical appointments, insurance and healthcare costs 16:02 Misconceptions about doing an MBA while pregnant 18:24 Advice for future MBA students expecting a baby 21:14 Closing thoughts: "My MBA while pregnant taught me..."