IE New York College brings together international investors and entrepreneurs for IE Venture Day New York 2026

IE New York College hosted the first edition of IE x IENYC Venture Day 2026, an event that reinforces the College’s presence within New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Co-organized with South Summit and The Fourth Effect, the event brought together internationally recognized entrepreneurs and investors in one of the world’s leading venture capital environments.

Among the speakers, entrepreneur Jorge Schnura, President at Keyrock Asset & Wealth Management and an IE University graduate, analyzed how AI is driving transformation across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Rhea Alexander, Founder and Director of The Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab (ELAB) at The New School, and Fernando Gómez Baquero, Director of Runway and Spinouts at Cornell Tech, discussed how entrepreneurship is being democratized in the age of AI. Lauren Vriens, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at PreMortem, and Wassim Berro, Founder and CEO at Burger Index and a Professor at IE University, shared their insights on the founder’s journey.

The event also enabled direct interaction between founders and investors, strengthening transatlantic networks and creating new opportunities for collaboration. Alongside the panels, IE Venture Day New York 2026 featured a startup competition for ventures operating in the United States. Startups pitched their proposals to a jury composed of experts including Murat Aktihanoglu, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Remarkable Ventures; Randi F. Plevy, Partner and General Counsel at Angel Hive; and Jessica Millstone, Managing Director at Copper Wire Ventures, among others. The winning startup was: Landings, a proptech for alternate air mobility that is building the foundational infrastructure network for electric aviation.

Venture Lab: IENYC’s startup accelerator

IE New York College continues to strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Starting this September, IENYC will launch Venture Lab, IE University’s startup accelerator, bringing students, entrepreneurs, and members of the startup community into a hands-on environment designed to turn ideas into scalable ventures. This program gives participants the opportunity to validate concepts, build products, connect with mentors and investors, and accelerate real companies from one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial hubs in the world. Each year, the best student-led startups emerging from IENYC’s Venture Lab will compete in future editions of Venture Days in New York.

In January, IE University will also launch the new M&A Lab, giving IENYC students and the broader IE community the chance to work on real-world mergers and acquisitions projects and gain direct exposure to the dealmaking process in New York, the global capital of the M&A industry. 

"Entrepreneurship at IE New York College isn’t academic content, it’s a way of thinking. IENYC’s Venture Lab gives our students the resources they need to test their capacity for innovation in the most demanding market," said Paris de l’Etraz, Managing Director of IE University's and IENYC’s Venture Labs. 

"The Venture Day celebration marks the launch of a new chapter for entrepreneurship and innovation at IE New York College. More than just an event, it represents the beginning of a long-term commitment to building a truly global entrepreneurial ecosystem connecting talent, ideas, investors, and founders across continents," said Juan José Güemes, Vice President of Strategy and Chair of IE University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center.

"This new phase also creates a powerful bridge between the entrepreneurial communities of Madrid, New York, and Riyadh through IE University’s global network. The goal is to create a connected platform where founders, students, investors, and corporate innovators can collaborate across markets, share opportunities, and build companies with global ambition from day one," added Juan José Güemes.

A recognized benchmark in innovation

IE New York College, officially recognized in the State of New York and located in SoHo, welcomes students from around the world across its master’s programs. IE New York College graduates may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the United States for one year, or up to three years for STEM-designated programs. For IENYC’s Class of 2025, 100% of OPT applications submitted were approved, enabling more than 70% of graduates to currently work in New York, one of the world’s business capitals, a recognized benchmark in innovation, and among the planet’s most vibrant cities. This inspiring environment multiplies opportunities for personal development and professional growth.

Reflecting this momentum, 100% of IE New York College’s Class of 2025 graduates are currently employed at leading international companies. Of these, 82% are building their careers in multinational corporations and SMEs, while 18% have launched their own ventures, highlighting IENYC’s entrepreneurial character. Geographically, 71% of graduates work in New York, 23% in Europe, and 6% across EMEA.

IE New York College currently offers a Master in Global Business & Sustainability and a Master in Management. This coming September, IENYC will expand its academic portfolio with the Master in Finance and the Master in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. January 2027 will mark the launch of the Master in Strategic and Creative Marketing, Communication and Media.