Anja T
- Research Program Mentor
MBA candidate at Columbia University
Expertise
Economics, financial analysis and modeling, investment banking, marketing and branding, entrepreneurship
Bio
As an undergraduate teaching associate for economics at Princeton, I developed a passion for breaking down complex concepts and helping students understand challenging material. I also worked in investment banking for two years, where I mentored junior analysts in financial modeling and helped them navigate complex projects. This winter, I am starting my MBA at Columbia University with a focus on marketing and branding, behavioral economics, and entrepreneurship. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring both students and professionals, guiding them in their educational and career journeys with a personalized approach that fosters confidence and growth. Outside of academics, I enjoy staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regularly engaging in fitness routines and outdoor activities. I have a deep interest in health and wellness, and I’m currently working on developing my own cosmetics brand. When I’m not mentoring or working on my business ventures, I love exploring new places, trying different cuisines, and spending quality time with friends and family.Project ideas
Creating a Venture Capital Pitch Deck for a Student's Business Idea
In this project, students will develop a professional pitch deck for a hypothetical or real business idea, with the goal of attracting venture capital (VC) investment. The project will guide the student through the process of refining their idea into a clear, compelling narrative that covers key elements such as the problem they are solving, the target market, competitive landscape, business model, financial projections, and the team behind the idea. Students will learn how to structure a pitch deck, emphasizing the aspects that investors care about most: market opportunity, scalability, competitive advantage, and financial return potential. They will also work on designing a visually engaging and concise presentation that communicates their idea effectively in a VC meeting setting. This project provides students with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, strategic thinking, and the art of pitching to investors. By the end of the project, they will have a polished pitch deck and a deeper understanding of what it takes to secure funding for a startup.
Financial Modeling and Valuation of a Startup in the Tech Industry
In this project, students will explore the process of financial modeling and valuation for a hypothetical or real startup in the tech industry. The student will build a financial model that includes key components like revenue projections, expense estimates, capital structure, and cash flow analysis. The goal is to understand how financial models are used to assess a company's potential growth and profitability. Using their financial model, the student will then perform a valuation of the startup using methods like discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis and comparable company analysis. The project can culminate in a detailed report or presentation that outlines the startup’s financial outlook and valuation, highlighting the assumptions and insights gained from the modeling process. This project gives students practical experience in financial analysis and modeling, essential skills in investment banking, venture capital, or corporate finance. It also helps develop critical thinking and quantitative reasoning, while providing a hands-on understanding of how financial professionals evaluate businesses.