Exit Strategies: Stories from Those Who've Made It

What does success really look like at the end of the entrepreneurial journey? How do you even begin building toward it?

Join the Melbourne Business School and INSEAD Alumni communities, for an inspiring and practical session that explores the stories behind successful business exits. Rather than focusing only on the technicalities of selling a company, this event brings to life the journeys of founders who have built, scaled, and ultimately exited their businesses.

You don’t need to be a founder or even have a business idea yet to benefit from this session. Whether you’re curious about entrepreneurship, considering taking the leap, or simply want to understand what long-term success can look like, this event offers relatable, real-world insights from those who’ve been through it.

Our guest speakers on the evening will include:

• Viv Petroff, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director at Flagstaff Partners (MBS)
• Emma Welsh, co-founder of Emma & Tom Foods (INSEAD)
• Sam Pratt, Founder-in-residence, Swinburne & former CEO of Render Networks (MBS)
• David Keith, Associate Professor at Melbourne Business School.

Through honest storytelling and reflection, our speakers will share:

• How they got started, even before they had a clear idea or pathway
• The pivotal moments that shaped their businesses and careers
• What “making it” actually felt like versus what they expected
• Lessons they wish they had known at the very beginning
• How thinking about the end can shape smarter decisions from day one

Expect an engaging, down-to-earth discussion, audience Q&A, and the chance to connect with fellow Melbourne Business School and INSEAD alumni exploring similar ambitions.

Who should attend: Aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, and anyone curious about what it takes to build and eventually exit a successful business.

Format: Panel discussion followed by audience Q&A and networking. Light refreshments will be provided.

Ticket pricing: Free for current MBS students. For MBS alumni: $12.60. 

This event is organised by the Entrepreneurship Alumni Chapter leaders, independent of Melbourne Business School. The school is grateful to Sunny Singh (MBA 2020), Priyanka Nadkarni (MBA 2014), Leo Leng (Master of Business Analytics 2015), Rahul Sud (MBA 2025) and Robert Lee (MBA 2025) for leading this event.