On September 25, IESE’s Madrid Campus welcomed Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan, joined by CEOs, scaleup founders, and investors. The event celebrated the campus' 50th anniversary, featuring presentations by Professor Philip Moscoso, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Innovation, and Josemaria Siota, Executive Director of IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, on the school’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and innovation opportunities. The day concluded with a meeting between IESE Dean Franz Heukamp and Paul Chan, strengthening ties with institutions such as Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, and Invest Hong Kong.

Last week, IESE Business School hosted an insightful panel on Search Funds, featuring experienced entrepreneurs Borja Bolivar (EMBA’21), Mar Raposo (EMBA’23), Enrique Sales (EMBA’19), and Maria Luisa Zurita (EMBA’25). Organized by the EMBA Entrepreneurship Club and IESE Alumni, and moderated by prominent investor and IESE Senior Lecturer Jose Martín Cabiedes, the panel explored the challenges and opportunities of the search fund model, providing valuable advice to attendees. The session was filled with dynamic discussions and strong audience participation.

Enrique Linares (MBA’06), founding partner of Plus Partners and former co-founder of Letgo, achieved unicorn status within 502 days with Letgo, an app for buying and selling second-hand goods. After Letgo's acquisition in 2020, Linares faced the challenge of finding new purpose. He spent time mentoring, investing, and advising, which led to the creation of Plus Partners, a venture capital fund supporting startups in Southern Europe. Through this new venture, Linares combines his passion for entrepreneurship with helping others navigate early-stage business challenges. Read the full story in IESE StandOut Magazine.

We’re thrilled to share that IESE’s Professor Desirée Pacheco has been named one of Poets & Quants' Favorite MBA Professors of 2024. Known for her passion for entrepreneurship and sustainability, she’s made a huge impact on her students. As one student, Nura Smadi (MBA '24), shared, “Professor Pacheco designed and delivered the course in a way that often left me inspired, energised, and thinking about what I could be doing to address some of the challenges affecting our world today." For more details, check out the full feature on Poets & Quants here.

IESE’s WeStart initiative launched its 2024-25 edition with a successful session attended by 35 startup founders and industry experts. The event featured a panel discussion with Rosa Mach (MBA’23), Co-Founder, ATOM.BIO, and Roger Casals (AMP’08), Co-Founder & CEO, Plazah, who shared their entrepreneurial journeys. Attendees from Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, New York, and Sao Paulo joined for a virtual networking session. WeStart, part of IESE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supports early-stage startups, aiming to foster a positive impact on business and society.

On September 18, the EIC hosted an exclusive event under the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator initiative at the IESE Munich campus. Led by Professor Mª Julia Prats and Josemaria Siota, the session welcomed senior executives from leading industries, including aerospace, finance, and technology. Participants explored key insights on corporate-startup innovation through interactive discussions and shared experiences. The event fostered valuable connections and concluded with a networking lunch. For more details on the EU-LAC initiative and how you can get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out!

IESE Business School has crafted a compelling case study based on the success of TDK Ventures, a corporate venture capital arm of TDK Corporation. Founded by Nicolas Sauvage, TDK Ventures rapidly became a leader in sectors like energy, cleantech, and health tech. The case study, authored by Professor Mª Julia Prats, explores the challenges of managing a corporate venture capital entity while maintaining alignment with the parent corporation's values. Through real-world examples like this, IESE continues to equip students with practical skills to navigate complex business landscapes. More insights in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center’s blog. 

In this recent IESE Insight article, Professor Sandra Sieber explores the transformative potential of generative AI for businesses. The article highlights how companies can leverage this technology for creativity, decision-making, and operational efficiency. It also addresses the ethical challenges and strategic considerations needed for successful implementation. As AI continues to reshape industries, understanding its applications is crucial for staying competitive. If you're looking to up your game on AI prompting, don't miss this article!