After being selected from IIM Ahmedabad, I competed against 10 finalists from premier IIMs in WinZO BOSS Grand Finale — a case competition that turned out to be a career-defining experience. What started as a 5-slide deck on global expansion became a launchpad into the gaming-tech universe, culminating in a national win in the individual finals. Presenting innovative, data-backed strategies to WinZO’s leadership wasn’t just an academic challenge — it was a taste of solving real problems with real stakes.
What Sets BOSS Apart from Other Case Competitions
Unlike conventional B-school competitions that often focus on hypothetical business scenarios, BOSS provides a platform for you to solve real problems revolving around tech, product, and gaming innovation. The competition isn’t just about cracking a case; it’s about thinking like an entrepreneur, understanding market realities, and pitching directly to decision-makers in India’s fastest-growing entertainment sector. The one-on-one mentorship from WinZO’s product team is a huge differentiator — feedback is sharp, grounded, and directly tied to the product vision.
A Problem Statement That Felt Like the Real World
The core challenge I worked on was around WinZO’s global expansion strategy — a real, ongoing strategic direction for the company. Crafting a go-to-market plan that balanced cultural nuances, monetization models, and platform innovation was both complex and exciting. Unlike static case packs, this was a live problem, rich with data, competitive benchmarks, and the opportunity to influence actual roadmap thinking at WinZO.
Key Takeaways
One of the most rewarding aspects of BOSS was the deep dive into India’s gaming-tech landscape. I gained a nuanced understanding of the challenges in scaling digital platforms, decoding user behavior, and building product-market fit for target audience.
Working under tight deadlines taught me the importance of speed and data-driven decision-making — core values at WinZO. The biggest highlight? Receiving direct inputs on my product strategy from the leadership team — a moment that genuinely boosted my confidence and widened my lens on what it takes to build for scale.
Tips for BOSS Aspirants
- Think beyond frameworks – real-world solutions don’t fit neatly into MBA templates.
- Use the mentorship well – seek perspective and scope of improvement.
From Slide Deck to Strategy Desk
Today, as I continue to engage with the WinZO team, I’m involved in shaping real product strategies — from rethinking monetization levers to scaling the high growth areas.
For me, WinZO BOSS wasn’t just a competition — it was a gateway into product-first, future-ready thinking. And it’s a journey I’d recommend to anyone who’s excited to solve real problems in one of the most dynamic sectors today.
