IESE professors Sampsa Samila and David Wehrheim kicked off the first mentorship round for 26 deep-tech startups, working alongside 38 mentors as part of the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) San Sebastian. Through our Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, IESE co-leads the Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence streams of this global initiative, helping founders transform cutting-edge research into scalable ventures. With the next sessions scheduled for February, CDL advances Europe’s frontier tech ecosystem through academic insight, entrepreneurial guidance, and real-world collaboration. 

IESE’s 'AI in Action' webinar, led by Professor Javier Zamora on December 17, explored what it takes to embed AI into business strategy and operations. Moving beyond pilots, participants examined how to align AI with long-term goals, build capabilities across data, technology, talent, and governance, and navigate ethical and regulatory frameworks. The session also emphasized the cultural shifts needed to scale AI effectively. The webinar is part of DIH4CAT, a public-private consortium funded by the EU’s Digital Europe Programme, supporting responsible AI adoption across organizations.

MBA teams concluded the Business Model Challenge course led by Professor Christoph Zott with bold, insight-driven presentations developed in collaboration with companies such as Mibanco, Henkel, Nealia, ERCO, and SinuStim. Despite differing industries and geographies, all teams applied a disciplined methodology to rethink business models from the outside in. The key takeaway? Innovation doesn’t require big budgets—just focused experimentation and user empathy. Fieldwork transformed theory into meaningful solutions, proving that real-world engagement remains irreplaceable in driving business model innovation. Find out more.

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. ​​​Visit the event page to register and follow the S&E Club for updates.

IESE is introducing a new Search Fund & Entrepreneurial Acquisitions Bootcamp, taking place June 15–18, 2026, on the Barcelona campus. This four-day, in-person bootcamp offers a practical, case-driven immersion into entrepreneurship through acquisition, guiding participants from sourcing deals and due diligence to negotiating, closing, and leading acquired companies. Designed for aspiring searchers, professionals, and mid-career operators, the bootcamp blends academic rigor with real-world frameworks and faculty insights, led by IESE faculty and practitioners. Find out more.

IESE launches the 18th edition of the Business Angels & Family Offices Academy, with sessions in Barcelona (May 20) and Madrid (June 17, 2026). Designed for early-stage investors looking to sharpen their approach, the training covers how to assess startups beyond founder charisma, structure deals and term sheets, build quality dealflow, and add post-investment value. Whether you're just starting or refining your strategy, this hands-on training course helps professionalize your angel investing. Find out more.

Kicking off the year, IESE’s latest Insight article outlines six key trends set to shape business in 2026: from continued but fragile global growth and rising geopolitical risk, to advancing AI adoption and shifting talent dynamics. IESE professors, along with other international experts, analyze the changing landscape. In 2026, AI shifts from surface-level use to deeper integration, with real potential coming from its role in business model innovation. Six trends no executive can afford to ignore when navigating uncertainty and identifying opportunities in the year ahead.

In a new article for the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Professor Christoph Zott and co-authors explore how business model innovation (BMI) can address grand challenges (GC) like climate change and digital inequality. Their proposed BMI–GC framework shows how firms can rethink value creation, delivery, and capture to align impact with profitability. The study offers both theoretical and practical insights into how corporations can leverage BMI to build more resilient, sustainable futures. Find it here. ​​​