Last week, the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit brought together startups, corporates, researchers, investors, and institutions shaping Europe’s deep tech future. IESE participated as a core ecosystem partner, advisory board member, and jury for the Best Deep Tech Startup Award. Topics ranged from energy and health to AI, quantum computing, and sustainability. In a dedicated session, IESE highlighted how corporate venturing drives innovation through early investment in science-based ventures. As part of Europe’s deep tech ecosystem, IESE continues to foster collaboration between research, entrepreneurship and industry, helping bridge the gap from lab to market. Learn more. 

We’re delighted to share that Cristina Aleixendri (EMBA’22 and IESE 40under40) has been honored with the Spanish National Innovation Award in the Young Innovative Talent 2024 category by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Cristina is co-founder of bound4blue, a cleantech company specializing in wind-assisted propulsion systems for ships. Her suction sail system reduces fuel costs and emissions by up to 40%, offering a practical solution for sustainability and compliance. This award recognizes her leadership in scaling science-based solutions with real-world impact—an inspiring example of how IESE entrepreneurs turn technology into global sustainability drivers. Congratulations, Cristina!

Rahul Jain (MBA ’10) co-founded Cape Town-based Peach Payments to reshape Africa’s fragmented digital payments landscape. What began as an MBA internship connection evolved into a fast-growing fintech platform now operating in South Africa, Kenya, and Mauritius. Serving everyone from large enterprises to solo entrepreneurs, Peach Payments is expanding across the continent—bridging critical gaps in digital commerce. Rahul credits his team, including former customers, for driving its success. Learn more about Rahul. Know someone leading bold change? Nominate them for the next IESE 40Under40.

MBA’26 students from IESE’s Corporate Entrepreneurship course, led by Professor Sandra Sieber, visited the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) to explore how supercomputing and technology transfer fuel business innovation. From energy-efficient aircraft design to personalized medicine, students saw how scientific research can drive real-world impact. The visit featured two key initiatives: BSC Connects, a platform linking science and business, and the BSC AI Factory, which helps startups and SMEs adopt AI. The experience showcased the entrepreneurial potential of deep tech in action.

IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center recently met with representatives from Leave a Nest, a Japan-based deep tech catalyst founded by researchers to tackle complex societal challenges through science and technology. With a clear mission to harness scientific knowledge for meaningful societal progress and a pioneering model in Knowledge Manufacturing Process Technology, Leave a Nest is building bridges across Asia, the UK, and the U.S. The meeting explored synergies in venture capital, corporate innovation, and science-driven entrepreneurship and innovation with global reach and purpose.

IESE’s Business Angels Network and Linea Directa Aseguradora have launched the third edition of the Insurance Revolution Forum. The initiative seeks startups developing technological solutions that simplify operational processes, improve internal efficiency, and enhance the customer experience in health insurance. Selected startups will be invited to present their proposals during a dedicated Pitch Day before the company’s executive committee. The goal: Explore real opportunities for collaboration and implementation. Applications are open until January 11 for startups ready to shape the future of health insurance operations. Learn more.

In a recent Forbes article published by Professor Sandra Sieber, readers are encouraged to rethink how AI can be applied across everyday professional tasks. From automating repetitive workflows to enhancing decision-making, the piece outlines practical steps to “hack yourself” by integrating AI tools into your personal productivity and innovation processes. As AI continues to reshape the corporate landscape, these insights help demystify its use and promote a more proactive, hands-on approach to digital transformation.

An IESE case by Professor Mª Julia Prats and Guillermo Yáñez examines how the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) supports corporate innovation through high-performance computing. The case follows the CIO of an automotive company considering a strategic partnership with BSC to accelerate R&D, lower technological risk, and enhance competitiveness. It illustrates how public research institutions like BSC can act as catalysts for open innovation and effective technology transfer between science and industry. Find it here.