Fragmentation, uncertainty and accelerating technological change are reshaping the innovation landscape. To navigate this environment, Corporate Venturing Squads are emerging as one approach for companies to exchange knowledge, improve access to startups, and scale innovation across borders. A recent World Economic Forum article, co-authored by Professor Julia Prats together with Josemaria Siota and Beatriz Camacho from IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, explores how CV Squads work in practice.​​​​​

A recent CNBC article highlights the accelerating momentum of search funds, drawing on IESE and Stanford GSB research. In 2023, a record 94 new funds were launched in the U.S. and Canada, with nearly 60 more internationally. The study also underscores strong returns and the growing diversity of searchers entering the space. As millions of baby boomer–owned firms confront succession gaps, search funds are stepping in to keep essential businesses alive while opening new pathways for entrepreneurial leadership, wealth creation, and regional economic resilience.​​​​​ 

In the latest The Dean’s Call, Professor Franz Heukamp, Dean of IESE, speaks with Professor Yuliya Snihur about how leadership framing can determine a company’s fate during disruption. Reflecting on how one bookseller integrated online retail while another kept it peripheral, the case reveals a critical insight: CEO communication in uncertain times must be intense, consistent, inclusive, and future-oriented. Part of a new podcast series featuring candid conversations with IESE faculty, The Dean’s Call explores the pressing leadership challenges shaping the future of business.

Gregoire de Hemptinne (MBA ’17 and IESE 40under40) was recognized with IESE’s 2022 “Entrepreneur with the Most Social Impact” award for his work as co-founder of Shayp, an AI-powered solution tackling water waste. Since launch, Shayp has saved over 27 billion liters of water and now helps corporates offset usage through public-sector stewardship projects. Gregoire’s journey blends engineering, impact, and persistence—proving innovation can scale both purpose and performance. Know someone making a difference? Nominations for IESE’s 40under40 2026 are now open. Let’s celebrate the next generation of bold changemakers—Nominate today!

Members of the European Innovation Council Scaling Club have collectively raised more than €1.2 billion since joining the program in 2024. The most funded sectors within the Scaling Club are next-gen computing, renewable energies, and smart mobility. Among the success stories is Multiverse Computing, a quantum software company founded by Enrique Lizaso (MBA’90), which continues to attract international investors. As a partner of the European Innovation Council Scaling Club, IESE supports 120 deep-tech scale-ups in forging critical connections across the European innovation ecosystem.​​​​​​  

IESE’s Business Angels Network has opened registrations for the 2025–2026 academic year. The Network connects early-stage startups with investors seeking high-potential opportunities, with access to all the Network's forums, starting with the first on October 16 at 17:00, plus curated startup dossiers, sector-specific events, and connections with founders, investors, and collaborators. Members also gain access to exclusive entrepreneurial and investment activities throughout the year. Interested? Find out more.

What does it really take to launch and scale a startup? IESE’s Mathieu Carenzo tackles this question in his Coursera course Mastering the Art of Scaling and Convincing Investors. Designed for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, the course offers a holistic view of the challenges and decisions that shape new ventures—from product timing and investor partnerships to pitching and valuation. With real-world examples and practical exercises, participants learn to avoid common pitfalls, think strategically, and engage confidently with potential investors. Explore the course.

What drives business model innovation in startups? A new study in Strategic Management Journal, co-authored by Professor Chris Zott, suggests that personal values can play an important role. Through an in-depth look at Magnum Photos, the research shows how the founders’ commitment to creative freedom and integrity led them to reject conventional agencies and design a cooperative model where photographers retained control over their work. This study highlights an overlooked driver of innovation: when personal values clash with existing models, entrepreneurs may be compelled to create new ones.