IESE Business School and Barrilero have launched the Barrilero Fund for Search Funds and Entrepreneurial Acquisitions, a strategic alliance to strengthen research, outreach, and training in the search funds arena. Under the academic direction of Professor Jan Simon. The agreement will enable IESE to expand its global research with new regional and sector-specific analyses, promote the publication of specialized content on legal and tax issues, strengthen executive education and talent development in search funds, and enhance the sector’s leading international events. Read the full news story.

On March 17, IESE hosted the second edition of Founders Day under the theme From Zero to One – The Journey of Entrepreneurship. Organized by the IESE Startup & Entrepreneurship Club, the event brought together founders, investors, alumni, and students for an inspiring afternoon of keynotes, candid conversations, a hands-on workshop for entrepreneurs, and curated networking. Speakers shared hard-earned lessons on building companies, navigating uncertainty, and scaling ventures, offering both inspiration and practical takeaways. Congratulations to the student organizers for bringing the entrepreneurial spirit of the IESE community to life within and outside IESE!

Whale Dock, a startup founded by Sergi Rivera Morcillo (MBA’25), has been recognized by Poets & Quants as one of the Most Disruptive MBA Startups of 2025. The venture is developing a fully electric ship-lifting system designed to make shipyard operations safer, more cost-efficient, and significantly more sustainable, with potential carbon-emission reductions of up to 78%. Rivera highlights the support of IESE’s entrepreneurship ecosystem—including mentorship from IESE's Albert Fernández, Mathieu Carenzo and Josemaria Siota—as instrumental in helping shape the startup’s strategy and accelerate its development. Find the full list here. 

On May 12, IESE will host the 40under40 Awards ceremony at our Barcelona campus, celebrating 40 outstanding entrepreneurs under 40 from IESE’s 60,000+ global alumni network. Held every four years, the event honors bold, purpose-driven leaders transforming industries and driving societal impact. Four special awards will also be presented. An international jury—including alumni entrepreneurs and past 40under40 honorees Cristina Aleixendri (EMBA '22) and Enrique Linares (MBA '06), along with Financial Times journalist Jonathan Moules—will select the winners. Join us to celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Register here. Stay tuned – the 40under40 list will be announced soon!

On March 10, MBA students got a taster of their IESE Summer Entrepreneurship Experience (SEE) journey with a matchmaking event, where participants pitched business ideas, leading to the formation of the final teams for the 2026 SEE. Starting May 19, over 10 weeks, students will engage with industry experts, hone practical skills, and network with fellow innovators in this immersive learning opportunity. Supported by IESE's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, and under the guidance of Mathieu Carenzo and Mauricio Prieto, the SEE equips aspiring entrepreneurs to validate and develop new business models.

The 2026 IESE Private Equity & Venture Capital Conference will take place April 16–17 in Barcelona, bringing together top investors, fund managers, founders, and students. Organized by the IESE MBA PEVC Club, highlights include the International Private Equity and Impact Investing Competitions with top schools like INSEAD and LBS, alongside panels on deal sourcing, exits, and LP–GP strategy. The VC track will cover dual-use tech, deep tech, and emerging markets. A Women in VC side event, founder pitch sessions, and much more. Register here to secure your place.​​​​​ 

This article by Professor Yuliya Snihur and co-authors unpacks hype as a powerful force shaping entrepreneurial journeys through distinct stages. It begins with bold framing that fuels excitement despite limited validation, often igniting collective optimism and rapid momentum. Yet, inflated expectations can backfire, triggering downturns and even stigmatization. Crucially, revival remains possible under certain conditions. By mapping key transitions and triggers, the article shows how hype can both accelerate and destabilize ventures. How can entrepreneurs harness hype without letting expectations spiral beyond control?

In this book review, Professor Yuliya Snihur examines authour Jeffrey Funk’s critique of today’s startup landscape, where hype and weak fundamentals often drive inflated valuations. It highlights concerns that many high-growth ventures overpromise while underdelivering on productivity and profitability. At the same time, the review challenges an overly pessimistic view, arguing that hype can also mobilize resources and shape emerging markets. By bridging economic critique with recent research, it invites a more nuanced understanding of hype as both distortion and driver. When does hype mislead—and when does it enable innovation?