Growth is never accidental; it’s about finding and pulling the right levers. On June 3-4, IESE’s School of Founders welcomes 200+ scaleup founders from 50+ nationalities to Barcelona for the IESE Founders Forum 2025. With the theme “Finding the Levers of Growth,” the event explores how personal development drives business expansion. Through workshops, peer sessions, and candid founder talks, participants gain practical insights on scaling customers, teams, capital – and themselves. Want more? Visit the event site.

On June 3-4, IESE and Innovation Roundtable welcome global innovation leaders to Barcelona for two workshops. June 3 focuses on Innovating for Sustainability & Leveraging AI, with HP, Rolls-Royce, and PepsiCo exploring how circular design, Gen AI, and lifecycle data are reshaping business. June 4 dives into Startup Collaboration, Ecosystems & Venture Building, with Siemens, Nestlé, and Airbus sharing strategies on venture clienting, co-creation, and scaleup engagement. Full details here.​​​​​

What happens when two IESE MBA classmates decide to leave corporate careers behind and become entrepreneurs? In this interview, Javier de Ros (MBA’16) and Juan Miguel Goenechea (MBA’16) reflect on the personal and professional moments that shaped their journey, the influence of IESE’s MBA program, and the values behind their firm. From classroom insights to co-founder chemistry, discover what drives their entrepreneurial vision – and what advice they have for others looking to take the leap. Full interview on our Entrepreneurship blog.​​​​​

Join us on May 13 for a conversation with Timo Buetefisch (MBA’04), Co-Founder and CEO of Cooltra. Part of the WeStart initiative, this session offers a candid look at scaling a mobility startup from someone who’s done it. The event includes a networking and Q&A and will be held in-person at IESE Barcelona North Campus or online. Sounds of interest? Find out more here. 

Fundación Línea Directa recently held the XI edition of its Road Safety Entrepreneurship Award, spotlighting startups that use innovation to reduce traffic accidents. IESE’s Business Angels Network participated on the jury alongside experts in mobility and investment. The winning prize and access to Lina Directa's accelerator went to KOMOBI, recognized for its smart anti-theft and rider protection technology for motorcycles. Congratulations to KOMOBI and all participants in this year’s awards.

On April 25, IESE hosted the International Private Equity Competition (IPEC) competition, welcoming 12 teams from 7 top global business schools, including CEIBS, INSEAD, LBS, and HEC. Organized by IESE’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Club, teams pitched €1B+ LBO (leveraged buyout) targets under real-world pressure. IESE fielded three strong teams, including Numenor Partners, Dry Powder Partners, and Multiples Capital. Judges, including Juan Naranjo of IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, offered expert feedback throughout. Congratulations to the winning team from LBS and all who took part in this year’s competition!

New research co-authored by IESE professors Chris Zott and Yuliya Snihur highlights how the way CEOs talk about change can shape how companies respond to disruption. Published in the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, the study compares how Borders and Barnes & Noble reacted to Amazon’s rise. The difference? B&N’s CEOs used clear, future-focused, and inclusive messaging, helping the company blend online and offline models. The study shows why consistent and well-rounded communication is key when navigating digital shifts. Find out more.

IESE’s Mathieu Carenzo brings his entrepreneurial expertise to Coursera with The art of scaling startups and convincing investors. This free course explores how to design a scalable startup and communicate effectively with investors. Backed by real cases and practical tools, it’s a hands-on guide for founders looking to grow with clarity and credibility. An accessible way to learn from IESE, now online. Explore the course.