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MBA vs. Startup: Billionaire's Bold Take
6 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Joe Liemandt argues building a company offers more business insight than an MBA.
- He suggests using MBA tuition funds to start a business instead of incurring debt.
- Entrepreneurial skills are best learned through hands-on practice, not theory.
Tech billionaire Joe Liemandt has challenged the value of MBA programs, asserting they do not provide the practical skills needed for entrepreneurship. Speaking on a podcast, Liemandt, founder of Trilogy Software, argued that two years spent building a company yields significantly more business acumen than two years in a classroom.
He further questioned the financial wisdom of pursuing costly MBA degrees, suggesting that the capital invested in tuition could be better utilized to fund a new business. Liemandt emphasized that entrepreneurial competencies are acquired through direct action and practical application, not theoretical learning.
Despite criticisms, MBA programs continue to attract numerous candidates, with graduates from top institutions reporting high median salaries and signing bonuses. However, the success of founders like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, who achieved prominence without completing degrees, highlights alternative paths to entrepreneurial achievement.
