On Wednesday, January 22nd, the WeStart community gathered to learn about the world of search funds. Attendees heard inspiring testimonials from EMBA’21 Borja Bolivar and Jorge EMBA’19 Rivero Granero, who shared their experiences as search fund entrepreneurs. Juan Naranjo from IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center also gave an introductory presentation to search funds. The session concluded with breakout discussions and networking opportunities. Curious about search funds? Explore IESE’s search funds activity. 

A delegation of teachers from South Korea's Asan Nanum Foundation recently visited IESE's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center and the IESE Barcelona campus. They explored IESE’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, gaining insights into its initiatives and impact. The delegation engaged with faculty and staff to understand how IESE supports entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors. The Asan Nanum Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering young entrepreneurship, enhancing nonprofit capabilities, and strengthening innovation ecosystems.

EMBA'22 alumna Ines Serra has been highly commended in the Financial Times Responsible Business Education Awards 2025 for her project, BIOSORRA, in the Student Impact category. BIOSORRA uses patented technology to convert carbon from waste into byproducts that permanently remove CO₂ for hundreds of years, with applications in agriculture, energy, and construction. IESE was also recognized in the Overall School category for embedding responsible business principles, and in Teaching Excellence, for Professor Mireia Las Heras' leadership lessons inspired by castellers (human towers).

Professor Sampsa Samila and Xili Wu, from IESE’s Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Management Initiative, participated in the AI House in Davos on Tuesday, January 21. They joined a roundtable discussion focused on maximizing AI’s positive societal impact. Part of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, the session explored strategies to ensure artificial intelligence serves humanity. Explore more details from this critical dialogue here.

IESE recently hosted a delegation from Tecnalia, the project’s coordinator, to discuss the latest developments in the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, a European initiative fostering digital collaboration between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean through open innovation. As a key project partner, IESE bridges corporate challenges with innovative solutions from startups and SMEs, scouting startups to address high-potential digital challenges. During the visit, the teams reviewed progress and explored new opportunities to strengthen collaboration and impact. Stay tuned for more updates. 

Registration is now open for the Bootcamp “Adoption of emerging technologies through open innovation”, taking place from May 19-21, 2025, at IESE Business School’s Barcelona campus. As part of the public-funded NextGenerationEU’s PADIH, this initiative is designed for executives of Spanish SMEs accelerating their digital transformation through open innovation and emerging technologies. The application deadline is January 31, 2025.

A recent Harvard Business Review article, How Founders Can Avoid the Deception Trap, co-authored by Professor Yuliya Snihur, explores the ethical challenges entrepreneurs face under pressure to meet high expectations. It emphasizes the importance of transparency and integrity, offering practical strategies such as setting realistic goals, building an ethical culture, and seeking mentorship. Founders who prioritize honesty can foster long-term success and trust. A must-read for entrepreneurs. Read the full article at hbr.org.

A recent study co-authored by Professor Thomas Klueter, Not In-sourced Here! When Does External Technology Sourcing Yield Familiar Versus Novel Solutions?, explores why established firms often favor familiar technologies despite seeking novelty. The research, based on the biopharmaceutical industry, shows that in-house R&D teams influence sourcing choices, but top management attention and unexpected market failures can push firms to adopt novel solutions. Read the full article in the Strategic Management Journal.