The third Women in Search Forum brought women searchers, CEOs and investors together at IESE in Barcelona on October 14 for a day of conversations about entrepreneurship through acquisition and leadership. Organized with the Women’s Search Network, the forum offered an opportunity to share experiences, discuss challenges and learn from one another, including on topics such as becoming a CEO and balancing leadership and family life. And the conversations continue: IESE’s 7th International Search Fund Conference takes place on October 15–16, bringing the international search fund community together in Barcelona. 

IESE’s Business Angels and Family Offices Network kicks off its 2026–27 activities on October 28, with the first Investment Forum of the academic year. More than a place to discover startup investment opportunities, the Network is a community where investors can learn, exchange experiences and connect with entrepreneurs and fellow investors. This year’s activities include four investment forums in Madrid and Barcelona, two Investors’ Workshops and opportunities to explore co-investment. Interested in joining the community? Find out more.

IESE is returning as an ecosystem partner of the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit, taking place on 3–5 November 2026. As part of the programme, IESE's Josemaria Siota will moderate the panel Beyond Innovation Theater: Corporate Venturing Squads for Deep Tech Deployment, exploring how companies can combine resources, expertise and investment to accelerate the deployment of emerging technologies. Join the discussion on turning deep tech innovation into tangible business impact. Find out more and register here. 

There’s no single route into venture capital, as three IESE alumni discovered during their MBA. Shruthi Srinivasan, Prerna Nathani (MBA ’26) and Damian D’souza (MBA ’25) turned their conversations with investors and industry professionals into The Fund Side, a podcast exploring different paths into VC. Now in its second season, the podcast features insights from recent graduates and experienced investors, covering career transitions, investment perspectives and emerging technologies. The idea is simple: share practical advice with others hoping to find their place in venture capital. Find out more.

What happens when startups and corporations move beyond introductions and start solving problems together? The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator has already facilitated more than 70 transatlantic partnerships, with success stories ranging from AI-powered supplier searches to better patient identification in healthcare. As part of the initiative, IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center helps startups and corporate teams build stronger collaborations, offering practical guidance on corporate decision-making, proof-of-concept development and turning pilots into lasting partnerships. These success stories offer a glimpse of what cross-border innovation can achieve. Explore the success stories.

IESE’s MBA Private Equity & Venture Capital Club welcomed first-year students with a kick-off session featuring Professor Thomas Klueter’s market overview, an introduction to XAura Ventures, insights into private equity and students sharing their internship experiences. Looking ahead, the Club has three priorities: dinners with industry leaders, visits to investment firms and a conference bringing private capital professionals to campus. Workshops, financial modelling sessions and collaborations with other MBA clubs will complement these activities, helping students explore career paths and build connections across the PE and VC community. Follow the Club on LinkedIn.

For the first time, more search funds were launched outside the US and Canada than within those markets, according to IESE’s latest international search fund study. In 2025, 82 new funds launched internationally, with the model now present in 48 countries across five continents. Investment performance also improved: returns rose from 2.0 to 2.8 times invested capital, while the internal rate of return increased from 18% to 30%. The findings point to a model gaining ground internationally, with Europe and Latin America leading the expansion. Access the study and read our IESE Insight article here.

How an idea is framed can make the difference between gaining support and facing resistance. In this IESE Insight article, Professor Yuliya Snihur explores how entrepreneurs and business leaders use framing to shape how others understand problems, opportunities and proposed solutions. Drawing on examples from Apple, OpenAI and social enterprises, she explains how effective framing can mobilize stakeholders, build legitimacy and drive innovation forward. But framing also has its pitfalls: exaggerating claims or failing to adapt the message to different audiences can undermine trust.