Christopher Reiner: Tackling education inequity through tech and scale

What led you to choose the Cambridge MBA?

Cambridge’s strong focus on entrepreneurship was what got me most excited about the MBA, as the Silicon Fen area and the University of Cambridge itself offer a vast array of resources such as incubators, venture capital firms and many other startups.

Before applying to the MBA, I had already gained insights into Cambridge’s ecosystem through a good friend who is completing his PhD here. Experiencing the College system, the culture and the rich history of this city first-hand reinforced my decision to apply.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment so far?

Starting an online tutoring non-profit during the COVID-19 pandemic has been my biggest career accomplishment so far. As I set out to support children during homeschooling in those difficult times, my team and I quickly attracted more than 8,000 volunteer tutors nationwide. What began as a COVID response platform evolved into tackling the even bigger challenge of education inequity, creating lasting impact beyond the pandemic.

How do you feel about receiving your scholarship?

Receiving the Professional Impact Scholarship for my work at the non-profit is truly honouring, especially getting financial support after dedicating my last 5 years to working in a non-profit with lower-than-average wages. I deeply appreciate the support and effort the University puts into helping social entrepreneurs and people who have dedicated their careers to creating professional impact.

What do you hope to gain from the MBA over the next year?

My main goals are to extend my professional network, experience an international mindset and substantially improve my business knowledge and understanding. I’m particularly looking forward to collaborating with a diverse cohort of professionals from various industries and cultural backgrounds, which will broaden my perspective and enhance my leadership capabilities.

Where do you see the MBA taking you in your future career?

My post-MBA goal is to start a business in the healthcare sector. Before starting the MBA, I was already in the early ideation and prototyping phase for a new venture to support people in faster diagnosing their food intolerances. I hope this goal will be supported by the insights, network and community I gain through the MBA. I am already experiencing the strong entrepreneurial ecosystem within Cambridge as I am currently participating in the Spark incubator program from Cambridge Enterprise Ventures and the King’s E-Lab.

What does Cambridge mean to you?

Cambridge to me is most of all the community, as it brings together people from around the globe with the most diverse subject interests and career goals. It combines students, alumni, teaching staff, academic staff and many more into a vibrant ecosystem where innovation and collaboration thrive. The centuries of academic excellence and tradition create an inspiring environment for personal and professional growth.

Something few people know about you

I really love backpacks and could spend all day nerding out about them, watching YouTube reviews, trying different backpacks in stores and of course, trying to take the perfect backpack for each occasion. I have a small collection at home and can talk for hours about features, materials and design choices that make certain backpacks stand out from others.