Venture Spotlight: The Patrick Turner MBA’78 Prize

A device that translates a newborn’s cries into communication. A real-estate operation that offers better housing to lower-income populations in Thailand. An espresso machine that allows coffee lovers to enjoy superior coffee while promoting conscious consumption. These are some of the entrepreneurial projects that have received the prestigious Patrick Turner MBA’78 Prize in the INSEAD Venture Competition over the past few years.

The prize was endowed in 2015 thanks to the outpouring of support from more than 400 donors who wanted to honour the memory and impact of Patrick Turner MBA’78, alumnus and beloved professor of entrepreneurship, who had sadly passed away the year before.

Since then, the prize has received additional contributions, including a particularly generous gift from John Singer MBA’78, one of Patrick’s classmates. Today, thanks to the disbursement from the endowment, the prize money has doubled. The award is granted each June and December during the INSEAD Venture Competition finals.

Patrick Turner was instrumental in building up many aspects of entrepreneurship at INSEAD, such as the highly popular MBA elective, “Your First 100 Days.” He touched the lives of thousands of students and alumni seeking help and advice on entrepreneurship.

INSEAD is deeply grateful to all donors who gave to endow the prize. Thanks to their collective giving, Patrick’s legacy lives on and benefits generations of budding INSEAD entrepreneurs.