My ISB PGP PRO Story: Living the Dream I Once Googled

Which is the best college in India? It is a question almost every small-town boy or girl asks at some point. 

For me, the answer came from a simple Google search: The Indian School of Business. 

It was the first time I had heard the name, but something about it lodged itself deep in my mind. I share this because I believe in the quiet ways the universe works.

Early Beginnings: A Search for Direction

Back in school, I was fascinated by the idea of solving problems through a business lens. Perhaps it was an instinct inherited from my family, most of whom are in business themselves. 

During my engineering years, I stumbled upon the concept of entrepreneurship, and it immediately captured me. At an early age, I went on to found two startups.

But growing up in Ranchi, I always felt the absence of a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. That gap became painfully clear as I navigated the inevitable challenges of being a young founder. 

There were ideas and energy, but not enough structured guidance or support. That realisation pushed me to look beyond my own ventures and into the ecosystem itself, to understand how it works and what founders truly need.

Building Experience: Lessons From ISB

The turning point came when I joined ISB’s business incubator, AIC ISB. I still remember my first day clearly, standing at the gate and thinking back to the moment when I had first typed “best college in India” into Google and seen ISB’s name. It felt surreal to be part of the institution I had admired from afar.

Working within the startup ecosystem has been both challenging and rewarding. I was surrounded by passionate founders and bold ideas, but I also saw how structured business knowledge, financial acumen, and strategic thinking could make the difference between scaling and stagnation. 

Over three years in ISB’s entrepreneurship department, I witnessed the school’s impact on startups firsthand. I knew then that if I wanted to contribute at a higher level, I had to broaden my own perspective.

That meant stepping into the classroom myself. The only question was the format: full-time or executive. After much thought, the PGP PRO emerged as the perfect fit. It allowed me to continue leading my work at AIC ISB during the week while diving into intense, immersive weekend learning. 

The blend of core management subjects, leadership development, and global exposure promised the growth I was seeking. Being able to immediately apply classroom insights at work sealed my decision.

Transformative Classrooms: Learning to Unlearn

This journey has been nothing short of transformative. One of my earliest “aha” moments came in Strategy class, where we dissected real-world business cases. These were not just academic exercises; they pushed me to question assumptions I had carried for years in the startup world.

My first group assignment brought together a seasoned CA, a marketing head, a book publisher, and a Director of Data Engineering. Each brought a completely different perspective, and by the end of the project, I felt as though I had gained three extra lessons beyond the case itself.

A session on decision-making frameworks became an unexpected mirror. I realised how often I had relied on instinct in my work with startups, and how much stronger my advice could be when supported by structured analysis. 

Before ISB, quick decision-making was my strength, and sometimes my crutch. Now, I am consciously pairing intuition with structured thinking, making my inputs sharper and more credible.

Equally powerful has been the experience of learning to embrace diverse viewpoints. Collaborating with peers from varied industries has shown me that breakthroughs often emerge when perspectives that seem unrelated at first are combined. 

This is not just theory; I see it reflected daily in my work. Founder meetings are more focused, my questions sharper, and my recommendations carry greater weight.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Gratitude

If you are even half-considering the PGP PRO, my advice is simple: do not wait for the “perfect” time. It does not exist. There will always be competing demands. The beauty of this programme is that it changes how you think and work from the very first term. Come with an open mind and be ready to unlearn as much as you learn.

From once Googling ISB in Ranchi to now walking its halls as both staff and student, the journey feels surreal. In the months ahead, I look forward to deepening my knowledge, especially in subjects that will help me better support founders and drive innovation. The upcoming residencies and international immersion promise to expand my horizons even further.

But more than anything, I have realised that transformation is not a single milestone. It is the small, daily choices to show up to every class, every discussion, every challenge, and push yourself just a little further. And in that sense, my ISB journey has only just begun.

Synopsis:

Growing up in Ranchi, Shubham Sagar Sahu nurtured an entrepreneurial spirit early on, founding two startups before joining ISB’s incubator, AIC ISB. After years of working with founders, he chose the PGP PRO to strengthen his strategic and leadership skills while continuing his career. For him, the programme is a full-circle journey, from once Googling “Best college in India” to now living the ISB experience.