VIA Impulse with Gunjan Bhardwaj

“The best time of my life was my bachelor’s degree. I wish I could be sitting where you are today.”

With these words, Gunjan Bhardwaj, alumnus of Business School Pforzheim and today CEO of Partex AI N.V., welcomed the new international students of the English-taught bachelor programs to campus on September 21, 2026. As part of the VIA Impulses series, he took the audience in the main lecture hall of Business School Pforzheim on an inspiring journey, from his beginnings in India and his formative years at Pforzheim University to leading an innovative AI-driven technology company. Along the way, he shared lessons on curiosity, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the importance of lifelong learning.

 

From Nuclear Reactor Valves to 14,000 Bean Bags

Growing up in India, Gunjan Bhardwaj developed a passion for mathematics at an early age. Driven by ambitious goals, he applied to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai, whose entrance examination attracts millions of applicants each year while only a small fraction gain admission. Looking back, Bhardwaj attributed his success not only to hard work but also to the support of those around him: “I had great friends who shared their knowledge with me and helped me along the way.” Collaborative learning and teamwork would remain a defining theme throughout his educational and professional journey.

For Bhardwaj, being admitted to IIT was never the destination itself. Instead, it marked “the beginning of a wonderful journey.” He encouraged the first semester students in Pforzheim to embrace their university years in the same way: “You have all the time in the world to absorb as much knowledge as possible.”

His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. At just eighteen years old, he and several fellow students developed plans for a specialized compressed-air valve for nuclear reactors and proudly presented their concept to an experienced businessman. Amused by the ambitious proposal, the businessman suggested they manufacture bean bags instead. Undeterred, the students analyzed production costs, designed manufacturing processes, and eventually sold not nuclear reactor valves but more than 14,000 bean bags. The experience taught Bhardwaj an important lesson about adaptability, execution, and turning ideas into reality.
 

Learning German Tax Law and the Courage to Ask

The next chapter of Bhardwaj’s journey brought him to Business School Pforzheim, where he pursued an MBA in International Management and Marketing. His appetite for learning was extraordinary. In a single semester, he enrolled in sixteen different courses, a decision that surprised many professors. Yet for Bhardwaj, there was a clear purpose behind it: “The courses I attended as a hobby were exactly the ones where I learned the most.”

At the same time, he applied for a position in German tax consulting at EY despite having no prior knowledge of tax law and speaking little German. Determined to succeed, he immersed himself in both the German language and tax legislation while continuing his studies. Recalling those early days with a smile, he told students: “The people who taught me all the tax terminology were Swabians.”

Beyond diligence and determination, Bhardwaj emphasized the importance of initiative. He shared how he once approached the Chairman of EY directly and asked him to become his mentor. His guiding principle was simple: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get. You only have one life and one opportunity to ask.”
 

Transforming Medicine and Understanding AI

Today, Gunjan Bhardwaj leads Partex AI N.V., a company dedicated to transforming the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries through artificial intelligence. Speaking about the company’s mission, he explained: “We are breaking through outdated structures.”

In an increasingly digital world, he encouraged students to develop a deep understanding of technology rather than simply using it. “Understand the fundamentals and learn how to use AI correctly,” he advised. While AI is creating unprecedented opportunities, Bhardwaj stressed that genuine value comes from combining technological competence with critical thinking.

He challenged students never to accept information unquestioningly: “Don’t simply accept everything you are told.Try to understand how things work, at university, in life, everywhere.” According to Bhardwaj, intellectual curiosity is like physical fitness. Just as the body requires training, the mind must be continuously challenged and developed through learning and exploration.
 

“Fire in Your Heart”: Pursuing Excellence over Recognition

During the Q&A session, students were eager to learn how Bhardwaj manages his extraordinary workload and seemingly endless energy. He explained that self-discipline plays a crucial role in his life. He does not drink alcohol, rarely attends parties, typically sleeps no more than four hours a night, and relies on regular meditation to maintain focus and balance. Yet above all, he believes success starts with mindset: “Have fire in your heart.”

When asked about the most important lessons he has learned in life, Bhardwaj offered a message that resonated strongly with the audience: “Life is short. Don’t take anything for granted.” He encouraged students to persist through setbacks, continue working toward their ambitions, and never lose sight of what truly matters.

For Bhardwaj, meaningful success is not measured by wealth or external recognition. Instead, it comes from striving to become the best version of oneself. As a final takeaway, he left students with a clear piece of advice: “Pursue excellence, not money or fame. Those are only by-products in the end.” Through curiosity, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous growth, he showed that extraordinary achievements often begin with a simple willingness to learn, ask questions, and keep moving forward.