As an MBA student, I had taken part in several case competitions – but WinZO BOSS was refreshingly different. Instead of a hypothetical prompt, we were given a live business problem: to reimagine WinZO’s in-app loyalty program. The stakes felt real from day one, and the thought that my solution could directly influence a live product added an extra layer of excitement (and responsibility!).
Presenting to People Who Actually Build
One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was presenting directly to WinZO’s senior leadership. This wasn’t just a judging panel – it was a real conversation with the decision-makers who live and breathe the product. Their feedback was sharp, practical, and genuinely engaged with the nuances of my solution. Winning the competition felt special, but the feedback I received was far more valuable.
A Day Inside the Engine Room
As part of the National Finale, I had the opportunity to spend a day at WinZO’s headquarters. That single day gave me more perspective than many months of coursework. I saw up close how business, product, and tech teams function in sync, how fast decisions are made, and how iterative thinking drives constant innovation. The visit was an eye-opener and helped me reflect on what kind of work environment and challenges I wanted post-MBA.
What I Took Away (Beyond the Trophy)
I gained insight into how a fast paced startup like WinZO operates and innovates everyday — particularly the challenges around user behavior, engagement loops, and product-market fit in a dynamic, data-heavy environment. It also trained me to think deeply from a first principles perspective and sharpened my ability to back recommendations with logic and data, even in the absence of perfect information.
Advice to the Next Wave of Super Scholars
If you’re planning to take part in the next season of BOSS, my advice is simple: think like an owner. Try to solve the problem the way you would if it were your own company. Use structured thinking, question assumptions, and show how you would take data backed decisions.
Turning Ideas Into Impact
Post-competition, I’ve had the privilege of working on real, high-impact problems at WinZO. Currently, I work around exploring strategies for improving user engagement and seamless payment journeys at WinZO. Every decision has layers: product logic, business outcomes, and user empathy. BOSS gave me the perfect head start into this kind of thinking — and helped me transition from academic problem-solving to real-world product building.
WinZO BOSS wasn’t just a competition — it was a turning point. If you’re someone who wants to create, not just critique, this is the opportunity that could change your trajectory.
