Rohan Surya

I teach on our enterprise courses across HE, and have an industry background rooted in technology-enabled business growth, for international firms involved in consulting, business development and commercial leadership roles supporting AI, data analytics, and health technology solutions.

These experiences allow me to bring current, real-world industry practice directly into the classroom at UCB. I help students understand how ideas translate into viable businesses by drawing showing them how to identify customer needs, validate value propositions, and design realistic revenue models. I guide students in entrepreneurial thinking, mentoring them in idea development, market research, pitching, and early-stage problem solving using tools and approaches common in startup and scale-up environments.

What inspires me most within my area of expertise is seeing how technology can be used not just to improve efficiency, but to create meaningful impact, particularly in early-stage innovation. I’m motivated by the process of turning ideas, whether in AI, food, or aesthetics, into practical solutions that solve real problems for people.

I find it especially rewarding to support students as they gain confidence, develop ideas, and begin to see themselves as capable innovators, as it highlights how knowledge, when applied effectively, can unlock opportunities and drive change.

One common misconception in business is that success comes mainly from having a brilliant idea or a natural talent for leadership. In reality, most successful outcomes are built on consistent effort, strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to understand customers and adapt to feedback. Good ideas are important, but execution, resilience, and learning from setbacks are what truly make the difference. I want students to understand that business is not just about confidence or charisma, it’s about listening, problem-solving, working well with others, and steadily developing practical skills that help turn plans into results.

What I’m most proud of in my career so far is being able to work at the intersection of industry, innovation, and education in a way that creates real, practical impact. At the same time, supporting students, particularly through building enterprise support initiatives, has been especially meaningful, because you can see confidence grow and ideas evolve into something tangible. Seeing people move from uncertainty to clarity, whether that’s a student refining a business concept or a team aligning around a shared goal, is incredibly rewarding.