Mattress millionaire and Business magazine: News from the College

MSc Management alumnus Rajen Ruparell

Here’s a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial.

From an alumnus’ multi million mattress company sale, to the brand new edition of the Business School magazine, here is some quick-read news from across the College.

Mattress millionaire

An Imperial alumnus has sold his mattress company in Canada for $89 million. Rajen Ruparell (MSc Management 2007) cofounded Endy, a leading online mattress brand in Canada, which has now been acquired by Sleep Country Canada.

Rajen (pictured above) is a serial entrepreneur, and was a co-founder of Groupon International via acquisition of his company Citydeal. He has also built and invested in a number of high-profile consumer brands in North America and Europe.

Rajen said “We launched Endy as a disruptor in the Canadian e-commerce space three years ago…this acquisition will allow Endy to continue to grow rapidly.”

Work and play

Vice President (Innovation) David Gann gave a very insightful talk about the themes in this new book, The Playful Entrepreneur, at the All India Management Association (AIMA) in New Delhi. During a fireside chat with Economic Times journalist, Nayantara Rai, Professor Gann spoke about how incorporating play into work can help us overcome the uncertainty and turbulence that surrounds work.

Professor Gann told the assembled business leaders: “New age entrepreneurs are creating enterprises, they're concerned about the environment and healthcare. This helps them thrive in the uncertain environment.”

Following the AIMA conference, Professor Gann and Dean of the Business School Francisco Veloso hosted alumni receptions in New Delhi, and Mumbai the next day.

Imperial Business 2019 out now

There’s a new issue of Imperial Business, the magazine of Imperial College Business School out this week. It looks at the business of tomorrow, from blockchain to bootlegging, and why trying to inspire people doesn’t always help.

Also included are profiles of: Professor Jonathan Haskel, the newest member of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee; Ben Williams, MBA alumnus and winner of the Queen’s Award for Innovation; and Xia Chen, one of the founders of the Imperial Women’s Network.

All that plus Nobel laureates, careers advice, and Princess Leia. The 2019 issue of Imperial Business is available around the Business School, or read the Imperial Business magazine online.

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