Winner of the Pitch It Easy competition 2023 and global finalist at the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards 2025, Alexis Murat has been garnering due recognition of his prodigious appetite for business ventures. He shares with us insights into his innate passion for entrepreneurship, his time at Bayes, the challenges he has met in his career to date, and the qualities he feels entrepreneurs need to succeed.
What was you background prior to studying at Bayes?
I come from a modest Albanian immigrant family. My father moved to France from Albania, and I spent part of my childhood in both countries. Growing up in a working-class environment with limited educational opportunities, I developed an early interest in entrepreneurship. Even as a child, I was experimenting with small ventures—such as selling handmade items to classmates—which sparked my passion for business and innovation.
When did you launch your first business venture?
My first formal business experience began during my undergraduate studies in Toulouse, where I launched a tech startup. Although it ultimately failed, the experience was invaluable and motivated me to pursue further ventures. I continued building businesses while studying, including during my exchange semester in the U.S. and my double degree program in Berlin. Eventually, I was accepted onto Bocconi University’s Master in International Management, which led to a double degree opportunity with Bayes Business School and the MSc Finance.
Do you have an ethos common to each business project?
While I’ve launched multiple businesses—many of which failed—I don’t define myself solely as an entrepreneur. What drives me is not the number of ventures, but the desire to solve meaningful problems and build ecosystems around ideas that matter. Failure has been a critical part of my journey, helping me refine my approach and ultimately achieve success.
What convinced you to choose the MSc Finance and to take it at Bayes?
During my time at Bocconi, I sought international exposure and specialised training in Finance. Bayes stood out among top institutions due to its strong alumni network, entrepreneurial culture, and central London location. The opportunity to study in the capital, enjoy a vibrant student life and make the most of professional opportunities made Bayes the ideal choice.
What were the highlights of your Bayes student experience?
My time at Bayes was transformative. I built lasting friendships and a strong professional network that continues to support my ventures. I also founded the City Entrepreneurship Club, reviving it post-COVID and growing it to over 50 active members. The club hosted impactful events featuring successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Academically, the support from faculty was exceptional. Professors like Sonia Falconieri were instrumental in guiding me, including encouraging me to apply for the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards 2025, where I recently reached the global finals. Coming from an initially Management background, I found Finance challenging, but the faculty provided extensive support through office hours and via one-on-one sessions.
Bayes also offered unique opportunities, such as the Pitch it Easy competition, which I hadn’t encountered at other institutions and actually ended up winning. These experiences, combined with the dynamic London environment, made Bayes the most enriching academic and personal experience of my journey.
How was the transition back into business after graduating from Bayes?
My transition into working life after Bayes was relatively smooth. Following my Master’s-level studies I took an MBA whilst expanding my businesses across Europe and engaging with new investors following a successful fundraising round. As my companies were already established prior to joining Bayes, the process was challenging but manageable. Our London office also played a key role in supporting this growth.
In 2021, I launched easyVirtual.tours, a VR platform that enables users to explore locations such as restaurants, museums, and cultural sites through immersive virtual walkthroughs accessible via phone, tablet or computer. The experience includes interactive elements like detailed information on artworks and exhibits, without requiring a headset. The business scaled rapidly, securing major clients such as Carrefour and Llama Football Club. With support from Bayes, we expanded into key European markets including Spain, Italy, and the UK. We also explored opportunities in the US and the Middle East.
Recently, we introduced a franchise model, allowing partners in cities like London and Manchester to virtualise local venues under the easyVirtual.tours brand, which shares visual identity elements with EasyJet. This model gained traction quickly, with dozens of franchises launched. It’s been a very rewarding journey so far!
What are your next professional plans?
My next step will be to take a break and take stock of what I’ve achieved so far. After years of building businesses, side hustles, and working around the clock, the silence that follows success can feel unfamiliar. However, I view this more as a necessary pause than a void. I’m always looking to make an impact with each venture, to achieve something meaningful, so I see no point rushing into something at this juncture.
I’m originally from Albania, a country full of potential but often overlooked. Many bright minds leave for better opportunities abroad. I want to reverse that flow. I want to bring opportunities back to Albania. That’s where I see my next chapter unfolding.
What qualities do you think you have acquired on the journey so far?
I don’t really want to list what I think my qualities might be. Instead, I’d rather share what I believe helps anyone reach milestones like awards, recognition, or successful ventures. First off, when I get into a business project, I become “obsessed”, in a healthy way! I go all in. When I commit to an idea, I pursue it relentlessly—even when others say it’s a mistake.
Secondly, along the way I have learned to become increasingly resilient. I’ve failed (on occasions, publicly) but made sure I learnt something from any hiccups. Thirdly, I’ve realised how important it is as an entrepreneur to remain authentic. If you’re pretending to be someone you’re not when dealing with investors and partners or when addressing an audience, they’ll eventually suss you out.
Fourth point is to always remain curious – seek feedback and try to learn something from everyone you encounter, regardless of their background. And last but not least, make sure you have a good backstory to tell – when pitching a business idea, make sure you can back it up with explanation of what drives you, where you’ve come from and what you’ve had to overcome along the way. Launching a new venture is not just about the end product or service but also the journey, so effective storytelling is crucial.
What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs?
If you’re considering an entrepreneurial path, the most important principle is simple: take action. You can spend time planning, seeking feedback, and weighing up options—but without action, nothing moves forward. My own journey is testament to this. I gained admission to Yale and won the Easy Pitch It competition not because I hesitated, but because I acted. I built businesses to strengthen my profile and pursued opportunities even when I had doubts.
When I first considered applying to the competition, I was overwhelmed—balancing my Master’s in Finance and multiple ventures. I even called my mum, unsure whether to apply. She was concerned about the workload and the competitiveness of the process. But I chose to move forward anyway. That decision made all the difference.
Entrepreneurship is about trying, failing, learning, and trying again. Failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the process that brings you closer to success. Don’t wait until you graduate or land a job. Start now. Whether you’re studying or working, the best time to begin is always now.