Harnessing an Executive MBA to Pursue Entrepreneurial Goals
U.S. Army Veteran Howard C. Lim pursued an Executive MBA to connect his military and public sector experience with his startup goals.
Howard C. Lim’s journey is anything but conventional. Lim (Executive MBA 2024) has taken on big challenges, from flying Apache helicopters for the U.S. Army to innovating how the government buys goods and services. His latest step—founding a startup to simplify how small businesses access government contracts one request for proposal (RFP) at a time—was a leap that needed new tools and perspectives. That’s where the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business Executive MBA program came in.
“The Executive MBA gave me the confidence to connect my military and public sector experience with my long-standing entrepreneurial goals,” Lim said. Today, as the founder of RFPGo.ai, he is helping businesses break into the $1 trillion government contracting market. “The program helped me figure out how to take the next step,” he added.
A military foundation for leadership and entrepreneurship
Lim started his career at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he built a strong foundation in leadership and strategy. After graduating, he attended flight school to train as an Apache helicopter pilot. Over the next 10 years in the Army, Lim served in various roles, including platoon leader in Afghanistan, aide-de-camp in Kosovo, and company commander in South Korea. He made his first foray into entrepreneurship by raising capital to purchase a satellite dish. Lim subsequently operated a satellite-based internet service for his colleagues in Afghanistan during off hours.
“In the military, you must stay focused and adapt fast,” Lim said. “Those skills translate well into the business world.”
Transitioning to government contracting
Following his military service, Lim pursued a career in government contracting. He worked in pivotal roles at the Pentagon, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and the City of Boston. These positions expanded his leadership expertise and exposed him to the inefficiencies small businesses face in accessing public contracts.
“I saw so many small businesses struggle,” Lim said. “They wanted to compete for contracts but didn’t have the resources or time to navigate the system.”
Those experiences planted the seed for RFPGo.ai. But even with his knowledge of government contracting, Lim knew he needed more to turn an idea into a business. “I wanted to better understand finance and entrepreneurship, and needed the structure to make it happen. That’s what led me to the Executive MBA,” he said.
Why the Foster Executive MBA?
Lim chose Foster for its entrepreneurial focus and collaborative environment. Cost and location were significant, but the culture sealed the deal. “I wanted a place where I could learn from classmates with diverse experiences,” Lim said. “Foster was the right fit.”
The program also offered a supportive space for veterans. “They understand the strengths veterans bring and help us apply them in new ways,” he said. “For example, they connected me with other veterans who had successfully transitioned to business roles. It made a huge difference to hear their stories and see what was possible. The program values the leadership and adaptability veterans develop in the military and shows you how to translate those qualities into a business context.”
The skills Lim gained at Foster complemented the leadership training he received in the military. “In the Army, leadership is mission-focused. At Foster, I learned how to build a culture and a strategy for long-term success,” he said.
Personal inspiration for RFPGo.ai
After winning Foster’s Community Impact award, placing fourth at the 2024 University of Washington Dempsey Startup Competition hosted by the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, and winning Foster’s Executive MBA Business Plan Competition, Lim launched RFPGo.ai. The company uses AI to help small businesses navigate government contracting. The idea was personal for him, inspired by his father’s actions during the 1992 LA riots.
“After the riots, my dad started a weekly Korean language radio program to connect small business owners in Koreatown with government resources—this was when many people didn’t have internet access, and information was hard to find,” Lim said. “He took call after call, helping people who had lost everything. Seeing his dedication to rebuilding the community really shaped me.”
RFPGo.ai builds on that legacy with VendorPro. An AI-powered platform that aggregates RFPs in one place, provides high-quality RFP summaries, and drafts initial RFP proposals so small businesses can compete against companies with established business development teams. “I want to simplify access to the RFP process, just like my dad found ways to help his fellow small business owners access government programs,” Lim said.
Building a strong network
Lim said one of the most significant benefits of the Executive MBA program was the network he built. “The connections I made at Foster were incredible,” he said. “I met people who challenged my ideas, supported my goals, and even became part of my startup journey. The program fosters a sense of collaboration that extends far beyond the classroom. Whether it was during team projects or just conversations over coffee, the relationships I built continue to open doors and provide invaluable support.” Two of his classmates are now partnering with him at RFPGo.ai, helping him shape the startup while balancing their day jobs. “Their ongoing support has been huge,” Lim said.
Faculty members and mentors also played a key role. “The guidance I received at Foster gave me the confidence to take on challenges I wouldn’t have tackled alone,” he said. “For example, during the Business Plan Competition, one professor gave me actionable advice on refining our pitch to focus on the problem we’re solving for small businesses. Another mentor helped me understand how to approach fundraising with a strategic mindset. Their insights weren’t just theoretical—they were practical and immediately useful.”
Unexpected lessons of an MBA
Lim hopes his story inspires others to consider an Executive MBA, especially veterans and professionals looking to pivot. “The program respects what you bring to the table and helps you grow in ways you might not expect,” he said. “For me, one of the unexpected lessons was learning how to embrace a collaborative mindset. In the military, leadership is often directive, but at Foster, I learned how to lead by fostering consensus and empowering others. That’s been invaluable as I build my team at RFPGo.ai.”
Continuing the mission
As Lim looks to the future, his goal for RFPGo.ai is clear: make it easier for small businesses to compete for public contracts. “Small businesses drive so much innovation and job creation,” he said. “If we can support them, we can strengthen entire communities.”
For Lim, the Foster Executive MBA wasn’t just a degree but a way to connect his military and public sector experience with his startup goals. “It gave me the tools and the belief that I could create value and make a difference,” he concluded.
RFPGo.ai is a Jones + Foster accelerator company that is always looking to connect with small business owners to hear about their government contracting experiences. Feel free to reach out to them via [email protected]. You can also sign up for their product waitlist at RFPGo.ai to stay informed.
