‘Transformative Experience’ Keeps Alumni Returning to Babson Connect Worldwide
Once you’ve attended one Babson Connect Worldwide (BCW)—Babson’s signature entrepreneurship summit held in fascinating, iconic locations such as Bangkok, Madrid, or Dubai—you tend to come back.
Just ask Ingrid Prasatya P’19 ’19 ’20, who sits on Babson’s Global Advisory Board. Prasatya has attended all but one of the whirlwind three-day gatherings and is looking forward to this year’s BCW in Singapore on February 22-24.
“It can be a transformative experience, offering a wealth of knowledge, connections, and inspiration,” Prasatya said. “I really enjoy reconnecting with the Babson community and networking with new and old friends.”
Prasatya isn’t alone. Carlos Herrera ’92 has attended nearly every Babson Connect Worldwide since it started in 2015.
“The event has consistently become bigger, more successful and interesting in every version, with beautiful venues, unique speakers, sought-after networking opportunities, and of course memorable cocktails and galas,” Herrera said.
A Gateway to Global Markets
Prasatya, who has lived in Singapore for 23 years, said the city’s entrepreneurial spirit makes it a perfect location for BCW 2024. As one of Babson’s signature entrepreneurship events, BCW features keynote speeches, panel discussions with prominent leaders, interactive workshops, and networking sessions.
“Singapore’s strategic location is ideal for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to expand in Asian markets,” Prasatya said. “Factors such as a business-friendly environment, strong legal framework, stable political environment, highly educated workforce, excellent infrastructure, tax advantages, and the quality of life has attracted many new ventures launched in the region.”
BCW has always blended vibrant locations with the educational depth of Babson’s entrepreneurial expertise, creating an event that transcends geographical boundaries and fosters collaboration and innovation across a global network of entrepreneurial minds.
“Over the years, I’ve truly enjoyed the diversity of speakers,” Herrera said. “They have ranged from bank CEOs sharing their global strategies, heads of multigenerational family consortiums that discuss the intricacies of managing family relations, advertising agencies sharing the backstories of ad campaigns, to a bullfighter’s insight as to the importance of risk management.”
A Global Gift
Prasatya also is thrilled to help younger entrepreneurs take advantage of everything BCW has to offer, including a former Babson Global Scholar. Prasatya, along with Global Advisory Board colleagues Umer Mansha ’95 and Pierre Lacharlotte P’21 ’24, originally sponsored Santiago Coppoletta ’23, so he could get his undergraduate degree.
“He kept in touch with all three donors, and now I’m sponsoring his trip to BCW in Singapore,” Prasatya said.
Originally from Argentina, Coppoletta works at Black Rock in San Francisco, and will speak during the BCW about the tremendous impact Babson donors have on young entrepreneurs like himself.
“He’ll talk about how the Babson community can give back and help other Global Scholars gain access to the College so we can bring in younger generations,” Prasatya said.
It’s just another example of BCW Singapore’s focus on uniting diverse perspectives, inspiring entrepreneurship, and fostering lasting connections among Babson’s global community.
“It gives us the opportunity to reconnect and exchange ideas with Babson community members from across the world,” Prasatya said.
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