As a core partner of the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit, IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center will host two plenary sessions on corporate venturing in the main auditorium. Professor Mª Julia Prats will moderate “Corporate Venturing in Deep Tech: Tackling Speed, Cost, and Risk,” featuring leaders from bp Ventures, Siemens Energy Ventures, and Capagro. Additionally, Josemaria Siota, Executive Director of IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, will interview Tommy Hansson Strand, VP of Volvo Group’s Innovation Lab. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay updated on the latest corporate venturing trends in deep tech - register here!

On October 21-22, the European Innovation Council’s Scale 100 Forum gathered members, investors, and media in Athens, introducing 72 new deep-tech companies across six market sectors. European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova encouraged these companies to “think big” and build their impact. IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center led 4 challenge roadmap sessions on Corporate Partnerships, Leadership Development, Gender Balance, and EU Partnerships. The 100 Forum provided a unique platform for building new connections between key stakeholders, strengthening collaborations, and showcasing the groundbreaking potential of European deep tech startups. 

Juan Carlos Garavito shares his journey from an international career in economics to founding Moxē, a Colombian chocolate venture focused on social and environmental impact. Inspired by IESE’s GEMBA program, which broadened his global perspective, Garavito set out to support local communities by producing sustainable, fair-trade chocolate. His work contributes to Colombia’s “crop of peace” initiative, paying farmers premium prices and supporting Amazon reforestation. His advice for future entrepreneurs? "Connect with other entrepreneurs and build meaningful networks." Read the full interview here.

Professors Yuliya Snihur and Chris Zott recently attended the Strategic Management Society's annual conference in Istanbul, a premier event for strategy experts worldwide. A focal topic this year was the transformative role of AI in driving organizational value and competitive edge. Professors Snihur and Zott joined other experts in a panel on AI and business model innovation, discussing its implications for strategic growth. Curious for more insights? Find key takeaways from Chris Zott here.

Last week, IESE EMBA participants had an action-packed international module in New York, immersing participants in Wall Street insights, venture capital panels, and retail innovation discussions. Highlights included Professor Jan Simon’s breakdown of the subprime crisis and sessions on U.S. finance, while Professor Desirée Pacheco led sessions on corporate entrepreneurship, showcasing case studies from Adobe, BMW, and Telefonica.
Participants also visited Newlab, a Brooklyn accelerator, and heard pitches from hardware startups. With panels from Mango’s CEO Toni Ruiz and founder Isak Andic, the week offered powerful insights into digital transformation and sustainability in retail.  

Rafa Nadal’s recent retirement offers valuable insights for Chief Innovation Officers navigating the world of corporate venturing. Just as Nadal continuously evolved his game to maintain a competitive edge, companies that embrace open innovation—partnering with startups and scaleups—are better equipped to adapt in fast-changing environments. Nadal’s career, marked by resilience and remarkable comebacks, illustrates the importance of learning from setbacks, a practice essential for corporate venturing success. His achievements also highlight the power of teamwork, with experts supporting his journey, much like the valuable partnerships corporates forge with external innovation teams for expertise and growth. Full insights from Josemaria Siota here.

Third Party Ownership (TPO) in football initially seemed like a win-win: investors funded young talent in developing countries, while clubs received much-needed financial backing. However, it soon raised ethical questions as players like Neymar, Ronaldo and Mascherano, among many others, became commodities, losing control of their future and earnings.
Senior Lecturer Kandarp Mehta explains how the opposition used 5 techniques to put a stop to TPO. Could these measures work for other controversial practices in the entrepreneurial world? Find out more. 

Entrepreneurs in Spain and Portugal are experiencing significant growth by adopting and developing advanced technologies, especially software platforms, AI, and data analytics, according to a study by CaixaBank and IESE led by Professor Mª Julia Prats. This wave includes 32% in software platforms, 15% in AI, and 9% in data analytics, attracting higher funding levels with an average of €575,000. Notably, business angels and venture capitalists are increasingly investing in emerging tech areas, from blockchain to robotics. In addition, these startups are diversifying their client base, serving large companies and exporting to the EU and Latin America. More details and analysis on IESE Insight.