LSE Summer School '25 with Valeri Konicheva

In the summer of 2025, Valeri Konicheva was awarded the London School of Economics (LSE) Summer School Scholarship by the Aleksander Foundation. Read about Valeri’s experience first-hand - exploring the academic rigor of the Entrepreneurial Finance program, the rich cultural immersion, and ending on some practical advice for our future applicants.

Meet Our Scholar

"My name is Valeri Konicheva, I am 24 years old and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting (English-taught) as well as a Master’s in International Banking and Financial Markets from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria. My experience ranges from working as a Sales Analyst in California, to being named Student of the Year for Economic Studies in Bulgaria. I have also managed international sales, including exporting containers of honey to the USA, and served as a Young Cultural Ambassador in the diplomatic and international community. I cannot classify myself into a single frame, but my mentors have told me that I have an entrepreneurial attitude with a curious mind. So far, life is an exciting journey for me where I keep learning, exploring and creating!

A Glimpse Into a Typical Day of an LSE Summer Scholar

A typical day as an LSE Summer Scholar starts by waking up in my cozy nineth floor room at LSE Rosebery Hall and then going for breakfast with my friends from all over the world. After breakfast, I walk alone to the Marshall Building - about a 25-minute stroll during which I either enjoy the solitude or listen to music - before attending three hours of lectures and an hour and a half of practice. Lunch usually follows with friends, though I sometimes prefer eating alone with a book. In the evening, we gather for a 6:00 PM drink with some friends from the Derivatives classes, then head to dinner together and explore the city. I finish the day by reading late at night and going to sleep only to wake up for another amazing day of this unique experience.

Academic Perspective & Course Application

The biggest lesson I learned from my course was to immerse myself fully, to concentrate, and to live in the moment - here and now. In the Entrepreneurial Finance course, the central message was clear: follow the cash flows. Of course, I took careful notes on evaluating startup potential - analyzing cases and assessing factors like gross profit margins, net dollar retention, operating margins, switching costs, proof of concept, recurring revenues (ARR and MRR), LTV, CAC, ARPC, churn rate, and more. These terms and frameworks came to life when applied in team projects, particularly while preparing our pitch deck.

Working in a group was an experience in itself. One colleague, gifted with visual design, told me she admired my confidence and persuasive presentation skills - while I admired her ability to craft the perfect pitch deck. Another teammate, whose father was the CEO of a SaaS company, shared valuable feedback from real-world experience. Together, we complemented and inspired each other, creating something unique.

In the end, showing up, learning, networking, and teamwork proved to be the most valuable lessons - ones I continue to carry forward. And as both an entrepreneur and a finance and sales professional, I was reminded once again that proactivity is the best indicator of success and metrics are just there to describe it in quantitative terms.

Cultural Immersion & Social Experiences

The social experiences were truly enriching. Everyone was polite and welcoming, and I was surprised by how quickly I could connect with people and find common ground. I met Alek, Rali, and Eliya from the foundation, and even attended a Bulgarian fair in Cambridge where I expanded my network further. By the end of the program, I had friends from the USA, Mexico, Switzerland, Spain, and many other countries.

One of the highlights was forming a study group with peers who share the same goal of pursuing an MBA in the USA. Together, we are preparing for the GMAT and planning visits to each other’s countries - I’m already planning trips to Mexico and Switzerland.

Beyond friendships, the events organized by LSE added unique experiences. Since my first business venture was with bees and honey, I was especially excited to join a rooftop beekeeping tour with the LSE Beekeeping Society. Bees, skyscrapers and London was an interesting and exciting combination.

Valeri's Next Chapter After LSE Summer School

After completing my course at LSE, I moved out of Rosebery Hall—my London home for three weeks—just as I had settled in, built habits, made international friends, and become part of the community. From there, I flew directly to Prague for another three-week educational journey: the Political Economy course with The Fund for American Studies at Charles University. It felt as though the stars had aligned, with the dates fitting together perfectly without any prior planning. From June 20th to July 12th I was in London, and from July 12th to August 3rd I was in Prague.

When the program ended, I opted to take a 28-hour bus ride from Prague back to Sofia—three times cheaper than a flight—arriving just in time to begin a new chapter. On August 5th, I started work as a full-time Financial Analyst at BCRA – the Bulgarian Credit Rating Agency, one of 20+ agencies officially registered and approved by ESMA.

I am excited to embark on this career journey after completing my Master’s degree, while also considering pursuing both an MBA and a PhD in the future. What I know for certain is that I will never stop learning, never stop being curious, and never stop exploring the world, building friendships, and developing new ideas. I hope to carry this attitude with me throughout my career and studies as I continue shaping my dream path.

Thinking of Applying Next Year? Read Valeri’s Advice:

I would suggest starting by looking closely at the courses and syllabi to see where you see yourself best. Explore both options the foundation provides and think about how you fit in. Don’t be afraid - use your knowledge, and express yourself genuinely in the essay. Be yourself, and you will truly enjoy the whole experience. I recommend writing in your own voice, sharing your own thoughts, and staying authentic.

I was accepted for the London and Prague programs, yet I also lost numerous competitions. Always do your best, but do not let setbacks keep you from showing up and reaching your potential until you win. You see, I had won, but you do not know how many times I lost. Show up and find your spot and do not let naysayers tell you that this or that is not possible. People have been telling me to "focus", "am I going to do business or finance" they asked. So here I am, finished the Entrepreneurial Finance course. Make it happen!