On May 12, IESE will host the 40under40 Awards Ceremony at our Barcelona campus, celebrating 40 outstanding entrepreneurs under 40 from IESE’s 60,000+ global alumni network. Held every four years, the event honors bold, purpose-driven leaders transforming industries and driving societal impact. Four special awards will also be presented. An international jury—including alumni entrepreneurs and past 40under40 honorees Cristina Aleixendri (EMBA '22) and Enrique Linares (MBA '06), along with Financial Times journalist Jonathan Moules—will select the winners. Join us to celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Register here. Stay tuned – the 40under40 list will be announced soon!

In the latest Dean’s Call, IESE Dean Professor Franz Heukamp speaks with Professor Desirée Pacheco about what sets social entrepreneurs apart. Her research shows that impact-driven founders often need to build not just companies, but entire ecosystems. Success depends on engaging stakeholders beyond customers, including governments and communities. Drawing on fieldwork in Ghana, Colombia, and Tunisia, she also explores barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, showing how collaborative, less hierarchical models outperform rigid ones. The Dean’s Call explores the pressing leadership challenges shaping the future of business.

“There’s something that goes beyond programs, titles, or career paths,” says Jonathan Lakin (GEMBA ’03), CEO and founder of Intent HQ. His company helps brands harness AI to transform customer data into personalized experiences. In a recent alumni spotlight, Jonathan reflected on how the IESE community has remained a lasting source of support through career transitions and startup challenges. For him, belonging to a trusted network has been key—not just in moments of success, but throughout the entrepreneurial journey. Watch the video to find out more.

From March 2–5, IESE returns to Mobile World Congress and 4YFN in Barcelona. At 4YFN, IESE will moderate the panel “Lost in Translation: From Science to Scale”, addressing how Europe can convert scientific breakthroughs into strategic industrial champions and overcome the deep-tech “Valley of Death.” At Mobile World Congress, IESE partners with UNIDO and the GSMA Foundation for a closed-door roundtable with senior executives and policymakers, exploring how venture clienting squads can drive early adoption of innovation in critical sectors through corporate-startup collaboration.

On March 17, IESE MBA students will host Founders Day 2026 under the theme From Zero to One – The Journey of Entrepreneurship. The event brings together founders, investors, operators, alumni, and students for a dynamic afternoon featuring keynote talks, candid conversations, a hands-on startup workshop, and curated networking with VCs and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship or scaling a venture, you’ll gain practical insights, inspiration, and meaningful connections with peers, industry leaders, and like-minded entrepreneurs. Register here and follow the S&E Club for updates.

The 2026 IESE Private Equity & Venture Capital Conference will take place April 16–17 in Barcelona, bringing together top investors, fund managers, founders, and students. Organized by the IESE MBA PEVC Club, highlights include the International Private Equity and Impact Investing Competitions with top schools like INSEAD and LBS, alongside panels on deal sourcing, exits, and LP–GP strategy. The VC track will cover dual-use tech, deep tech, and emerging markets. A Women in VC side event, founder pitch sessions, and much more. Register here to secure your place.

How can iconic organizations evolve without abandoning what makes them unique? A new IESE Insight article explores how Magnum Photos—a legendary photo agency—transformed its business model while staying true to its founding values. Based on research by Professor Christoph Zott and co-authors, the piece shows how value-aligned innovation can foster resilience amid disruption. This research offers a practical blueprint for mission-driven firms seeking renewal without compromising identity. For leaders navigating change, Magnum’s experience reveals the power of innovating with purpose.

A new policy report by IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, published in collaboration with the European Innovation Council Scaling Club, examines Europe’s deep-tech growth capital gap. Despite a strong innovation base, EU scaleups face persistent shortfalls in late-stage funding—especially for rounds above €50 million. Drawing on expert input and policy benchmarking, the report outlines strategies to boost corporate and private VC participation, expand patient capital, and mobilize co-investment tools. It offers a roadmap for policymakers seeking to help deep-tech ventures scale without relocating abroad. Read the report and explore the Scale-up Institute for more publications and applied knowledge.