Kai Lu - Alumni Profiles - People - Batten Institute

Kai Lu (MBA '05) began her professional journey at McKinsey & Company before attending Darden. Post-Darden, she held a significant role at Sears Holdings. She later joined Inhabitr Furniture Rental, where she helped grow the company from a small team to a thriving business with $27 million in Series B funding this year. Last year, she completed funding to launch her own venture, Munchbird. The idea came from the pair of puppies she and her husband, fellow Darden alum Tze-Liang Chiam (MBA ’04), adopted during the pandemic. Inspired by her own two dogs and motivated by her frustrations towards the lack of healthy, effective and environmentally friendly dog treats, Lu was determined to create a product that was both nutritious and free from fillers, additives, and preservatives. From there, Munchbird was born.

"One of the most impactful classes I took was with Professor Saras Sarasvathy, a genius in entrepreneurship and effectuation. Her class included hands-on projects where we engaged with local companies to improve their operational efficiencies. This practical experience, combined with Darden’s rigorous curriculum, equipped me with the skills and confidence to pursue entrepreneurship."

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