On March 4, founders, CEOs, faculty and entrepreneurial students came together at IESE for an enriching afternoon of panel talks, keynotes and fireside chats for the first edition of IESE’s Founders’ Day.
Sessions explored hard-earned lessons on scaling businesses to unicorn status, carving unique paths across industries and regions, and launching ventures while still studying, offering invaluable takeaways for aspiring founders. It was a true pleasure welcoming back IESE alumni speakers such as Carlota Pi (EMBA'09), Enrique Linares (MBA'06), Elo Umeh (EMBA'16), who shared their journey and insights. Kudos to the IESE Startup & Entrepreneurship Club students for driving this event with passion and dedication!

IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center hosted two discussions at MWC and 4YFN 2025. On March 3, IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center’s Executive Director Josemaria Siota delivered the keynote Corporate-Startup Innovation in Asia and Europe, hosted by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. On March 5, he joined Robert Lacher, founding partner of the venture capital fund Visionaries Club, in a fireside chat on funding B2B startups at the Banco Sabadell Stage.
Beyond the panels, IESE welcomed delegations from South Korea, Hong Kong, and the US to campus and engaged in alumni-led networking events, further strengthening global connections in entrepreneurship and innovation.

We're excited to share that MarketVista, founded by MBA’24 Konrad S.J. Stolte, has been spotlighted by Poets & Quants as one of the Most Disruptive MBA Startups of 2024. MarketVista is shaking up the grocery sector with its cutting-edge technology, aiming to revolutionize how we shop for essentials. In this interview with Poets & Quants, founder Konrad S.J. Stolte emphasizes the importance of adaptability in the entrepreneurial journey, urging founders to continuously innovate and adapt to changing market dynamics. A big congratulations to Konrad and the MarketVista team! We can't wait to see what’s next!

Cubicup, a participant in IESE’s School of Founders program, has been recognized as the third fastest-growing technology company in Spain in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 ranking, achieving an impressive 3,122% growth over the past four years. By delivering carbon-neutral renovation projects, Cubicup is streamlining the process, making it faster, more transparent, and efficient for homeowners. Their innovative approach simplifies traditionally complex procedures, driving significant industry impact. Congratulations to the team on this achievement!

IESE’s MBA Search Fund Club is proud to co-host the 6th Annual Student-Led Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference with London Business School on March 28, at LBS’s Regents Park campus in London. This event will bring together MBA students, aspiring searchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments in European entrepreneurship through acquisition space; also known as search funds. To secure your spot, register here.

Looking to hire top talent? The IESE MBA Startup Career Fair is a prime opportunity for startups to connect with outstanding candidates. The event will take place in person on April 8-9 at IESE’s Barcelona campus and virtually on April 10.
Startups can pitch their business, network with students, and participate in virtual breakout sessions. The only requirement? Companies must have open full-time positions or summer internships for MBA students. Registrations open until March 31.

HIESE has been recognized in The Case Centre’s Awards and Competitions 2025 for excellence in case teaching and writing. Professor Gaizka Ormazabal in the category of Finance, Accounting and Control for his case exploring the integration of ESG metrics in compensation strategies. Former collaborator Rob Johnson in the category of Entrepreneurship for his case on financing strategies for start-ups and early-stage tech companies. IESE embraces the case method as its core teaching methodology, challenging participants to think critically and solve complex business issues effectively. Congratulations to the winners!

To sell or not to sell? This new case by Professor Jan Simon challenges students to navigate a high-stakes decision in the entrepreneurial acquisitions space. The case follows the CEO of SocGeo, who, just 18 months after acquiring the company through a search fund, faces an unsolicited offer to sell. Set in Canada’s services and maintenance sector, the case offers a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship, strategic decision-making, and leadership in the context of a rapidly evolving market. Ideally suited at the end of a course in Entrepreneurial Acquisitions, Private Equity, Entrepreneurial Finance, Search Funds or Venture Capital.