‘Often unnecessary’: Elon Musk questions the value of MBAs for future founders 

In a country where an MBA is still viewed as a passport to power, Elon Musk’s move toward higher business education may be a bit of a curveball.

Speaking to investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath on the People of WTF podcast, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that business school may not be the best path for aspiring entrepreneurs — especially in an era of rapid technological change and real-world problem solving.

“If you want to go to university for social reasons, that’s fine. But to build a company, it’s often unnecessary,” Musk said, adding that experience, perseverance and a willingness to get your hands dirty are far more valuable than polished case studies and theoretical lectures.

Musk’s comments were part of a broader discussion targeting India’s next generation of builders — young, ambitious individuals who are increasingly choosing startups over traditional careers. Kamath crafted the talk to provide practical advice to this audience, many of whom are debating whether they will shoulder the financial burden and time commitment that elite MBAs require.

For Musk, the fundamental issue is a relevant one. “You can learn a lot just by trying to build something,” he implied, noting the speed at which technology, markets, and customer needs evolve. Traditional curricula often lag behind, and business school frameworks, although structured, may be ill-suited to navigating the unpredictable terrain of entrepreneurship.

His position is not new, but it particularly resonates in India, where MBA degrees from top-tier institutions like IIMs or international programs are seen as life-changing. However, the startup boom has created an alternative playbook — with engineers, leakers, and unconventional founders building some of the country’s most valuable companies.

Musk’s career reflects this trajectory. Although he studied physics and economics, it was his early startup experience — programming and selling Zip2, then co-founding PayPal — that laid the foundation for everything that followed. He didn’t go to business school. He built one, Trial by Fire.

His criticism is not anti-education, but anti-ism. Musk still believes in learning, but he advocates curiosity-based, problem-led, and interdisciplinary learning. He has spoken elsewhere about the number of executives with MBAs who have become focused on managing spreadsheets rather than understanding the product and customers.

This perspective is echoed throughout Silicon Valley, but is particularly provocative in India, where the premium placed on formal qualifications remains high. Musk’s statements challenge the idea that credentials guarantee ability, and push young Indians to look inward: What can you build? What can you solve?

For those who thrive in structured environments or are looking for networks, an MBA may still hold value. But for founders on a mission, Musk’s advice is clear: Skip the classroom, get into the arena.