Rima Suppan

Read Rima's story

What work experience/internships did you have before beginning with Imperial College Business School? 

Prior to starting my Master’s, I worked as a management consultant in BDO Austria’s specialised strategy consulting division, where I developed the firm‘s go-to-market approach to sustainability strategy consulting, gained insights into various high-tech industries and accompanied a growth funding round. Prior to this, I interned as a Finance & R&D Controller at a MedTech firm in Zurich and at Kobza Media, a creative agency, I worked as a marketing and design intern creating online marketing strategies for B2B and B2C brands. Earlier still, I led the digital transformation at our family business by redesigning our digital marketing strategy and establishing key strategic partnerships across the globe. 

Why did you decide to study MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management at Imperial College Business School? 

Working in our family business triggered a desire to become an entrepreneur myself. MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management provides the ideal environment to boost creativity and innovative thinking, but also hands-on experience and the right set of skills to successfully cultivate and manage innovation under dynamic circumstances. 

I am expecting this programme to equip me with the required competencies to convert a business idea into a marketable product, unlock business opportunities, connect me with prospective employers and establish a network of like-minded people who are eager to make a difference. I want to specialise and learn more about entrepreneurship and connected disciplines such as venture capital, growth finance and technology innovation management. 

"As a part of Imperial’s Entrepreneurial Journey programme, my team and I founded our startup, cleannest."

What has been the greatest opportunity you have had at Imperial? 

Being part of the Imperial Enterprise Lab’s Venture Catalyst Challenge, Imperial’s flagship entrepreneurship competition. This was a seven-week programme where we accelerated our idea of transforming the environmental footprint of the nappy industry by combining the latest innovations in circular product design, materials technology, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce service. It was an incredible experience growing together and competing against the most innovative and outstanding startups of Imperial. 

What clubs, societies or other activities have you been involved in at Imperial? 

Together with my co-founder, Morgan Mixon (Full-Time MBA), I run the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Club as the Vice President. Within the first semester we built a diverse and powerful committee team, grew the club by 270%, conducted a full rebranding, built valuable industry partnerships, held several engaging events with top speakers including entrepreneurs, VCs, personal growth coaches and much more. We also launched our club’s own home page and bi-weekly newsletters and introduced the Innovation & Entrepreneurship podcast where we interviewed successful innovators, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. 

Apart from that, I am a Student Ambassador representing the MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management cohort. 

"I recently joined Google in London for a three month internship. In this role, I am part of the GCS Agency Team where I am redesigning existing organisational processes, supporting clients to reach their full business potential and develop crucial e-commerce and digital marketing and sales skills."

What are your future career goals and how have they been realised since being at Imperial? 

As a part of Imperial’s Entrepreneurial Journey programme, my team and I founded our startup, cleannest. We bring a blend of experiences, skills, and perspectives to the project that could only be created at a global research institution like Imperial. Our project is tackling the 12th UN Sustainable Development Goal — which aims for ‘responsible consumption and production’ — by taking a more sustainable and circular approach to the $70B global nappy industry. Joining forces across the Business School and the Dyson School of Engineering allowed us to form a unique team with experience spanning retail, business strategy, product design, engineering and waste-to-energy with which we aim to bring an end to nappy waste. 

However, entrepreneurship is not just about building new solutions, but scaling them as well. To that end, I have always been fascinated by companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon which have all grown from ideas to global superpowers in just a couple of decades and define people’s daily lives across the globe. Receiving offers from all three of these companies is a testament to Imperial’s incredible network, brand and practical approach to business education. 

I recently joined Google in London for a three month internship. In this role, I am part of the GCS Agency Team where I am redesigning existing organisational processes, supporting clients to reach their full business potential and develop crucial e-commerce and digital marketing and sales skills. 

I have also accepted a role as a market specialist at Facebook which I will commence upon graduation from Imperial. I will be working in global operations with a focus on supporting users through both direct support interactions as well as scalable solutions, and on improving Facebook’s products.