The second edition of the IESE Founders Forum brought together more than 180 scaleup founders from over 20 nationalities in Barcelona on 16–17 June. Organized by IESE’s School of Founders, the event focused on scaling with purpose, conscience, and lasting impact. Through peer-driven sessions, participants exchanged practical frameworks, tackled real growth challenges, and learned from experienced entrepreneurs. By prioritizing meaningful dialogue over traditional keynotes, the forum equipped founders with actionable insights, sharper strategic focus, and a trusted network to support founders in their next stage of growth.

How can long-term capital drive scalable and sustainable growth across Africa? This question brought together investors, capital providers, academics, and ecosystem builders at the conference Capital with Purpose, hosted by the IESE Africa Initiative, the Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and Oryx Impact. Discussions explored blended finance, guarantees, capital markets, family businesses, and co-investment models. Among the contributors, Professor Thomas Klueter shared insights from the entrepreneurship perspective. The event highlighted how evidence-based insights, collaboration, and a purposeful approach can help mobilize capital for scalable and sustainable impact across Africa. Find out more.

In the latest episode of The Dean’s Call, IESE Dean Franz Heukamp and Professor Sandra Sieber explore how AI is reshaping leadership and innovation. As AI lowers the barriers between ideas and prototypes, leaders face a new challenge: building organizations that can experiment quickly, adapt continuously, and make effective use of human judgment. The conversation highlights why an entrepreneurial mindset is becoming essential for navigating this shift, and how trust, agility, and thoughtful delegation can help teams unlock AI’s full potential. Listen to this and other episodes of The Dean’s Call on IESE’s Spotify and YouTube channels.

As part of Professor Yuliya Snihur’s entrepreneurship course in IESE’s EMBA program, participants had the opportunity to learn from Alberto Cabanes (IESE 40under40, EMBA'23), founder of Adopta Un Abuelo, and his journey building a social enterprise to combat loneliness among older adults. His experience highlighted the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, the importance of continuous experimentation, and the challenge of creating sustainable value beyond financial returns. The session offered a compelling example of how entrepreneurial principles can be applied to address pressing social needs while building stronger communities and meaningful human connections. Learn more. 

IESE hosted the first edition of its Search Fund & Entrepreneurial Acquisitions Bootcamp, bringing together participants interested in entrepreneurship through acquisition for four days of immersive learning. Led by IESE Faculty and practitioners, the bootcamp explored the full acquisition lifecycle, from fundraising and deal sourcing to negotiation, due diligence, valuation, and post-acquisition leadership. Through case discussions and exchanges with experienced searchers, CEOs, investors, participants gained practical insights into one of the fastest-growing paths to business ownership and long-term value creation. Find out more.

The 18th edition of IESE’s Business Angels & Family Office Academy brought together current and aspiring investors for a dual-campus learning experience in Barcelona and Madrid. Combining case discussions, expert panels, and peer exchange, the sessions explored key topics in startup investing, including opportunity evaluation, valuation, governance, and exit strategies. Participants in the Family Office module examined challenges related to governance, succession, asset allocation, and investment strategy. Grounded in IESE’s case method, the academy continues to strengthen the capabilities of investors supporting entrepreneurship and business growth. Find out more.

In June 2023, Flix SE stood at a crossroads: whether to pursue a highly anticipated IPO or remain private. The IPO promised liquidity for early investors and the prestige of a market listing, but also entailed regulatory scrutiny and market risk. Was this the right time for Flix to pursue an IPO? And, importantly, what was the likely IPO valuation, and would it meet the company's and shareholders' high expectations? Access this new IESE case by Professor Thomas Klueter here for the opportunity to learn how fast-growing companies balance access to capital with long-term value creation as they scale globally. 

In a new case by Professor Jeroen Neckebrouck, Emma Falkenberg faces a difficult question about succession in the company founded by her father, Henrik. After four years of trying to understand why she has not yet been entrusted with leadership, Emma remains unsure whether the issue is one of trust, readiness, or something else entirely. Through her perspective, the case examines the uncertainty and questions that can arise when leadership responsibilities are expected to pass from one generation to the next. Find out more.