IE University, Banco Sabadell, and South Summit join forces to promote the growth of startups and scaleups

IE University, Banco Sabadell, and South Summit have signed a collaboration agreement to support the development and acceleration of startups and innovative projects in IE University's Advanced Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. The signing was attended by Martín Rodríguez Jugo, General Manager of IE University Lifelong Learning and Digital Learning; Yolanda Pérez Sáez, Director of BStartup at Banco Sabadell; and Nacho Mateo, CEO of South Summit.

Entrepreneurs and executives from emerging companies participating in the intensive practical training will receive support from BStartup, Banco Sabadell's division specializing in startups and scaleups, which will offer them access to financing, expert advice, and resources to accelerate business growth. They will also be able to expand their network at the annual meetings held by South Summit in Europe, America, and Asia to strengthen the entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem.

Unicorns and venture capital  

Participants in IE University's Advanced Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program will work to design, validate, and scale their business projects. The weekly training sessions, which are practical and in-person, will be held between April and July at IE University's campus in Madrid.

Experts and leaders from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including unicorn founders and international venture capital fund managers, will share their experience and knowledge of business management, financing, and scalability with students.

"The entrepreneurial spirit is part of IE University's DNA. In our programs we are committed to entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship as essential skills. This agreement with Banco Sabadell and South Summit allows us to accelerate the development of startups and scaleups with international projection. Our goal is to transform good ideas into competitive businesses that generate a positive impact on society," says Martín Rodríguez Jugo, General Director of Lifelong Learning and Digital Learning at IE University.

"This agreement confirms the solid and ongoing collaboration that IE University, South Summit, BStartup, and Banco Sabadell have maintained for more than ten years. We are convinced that IE University's holistic and eminently practical approach will bring added value to the entrepreneurs of the future. We are proud to support this initiative and contribute to its objectives, especially in everything related to the financial sphere," explains Yolanda Pérez, Director of BStartup at Banco Sabadell.

"Business projects must have ambition and an international vision from day one. This program allows us to unlock connections on our global platform and train entrepreneurs together with IE University and BStartup. We want to have an impact on the world. In line with this, the first edition already had a third of international participants," says Nacho Mateo, CEO of South Summit.

Students at IE University, an institution founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, work on developing their business models and an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset as part of their education. As a result, 30% of IE University graduates decide to become entrepreneurs during their professional careers. Through the IE Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, students work with mentors, investors, and a global community of entrepreneurs. This year, more than 700 students are participating in Venture Lab, IE University's accelerator, with the aim of transforming their ideas into solid and scalable business projects, with direct access to key figures in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.