IESE Spotlights: Recent Episodes
A Student-Run & IESE Sponsored Production
An IESE student run podcast that shines a light on the wonderfully diverse lives and stories of current students, alumni and professors.
IESE Spotlights is back for Season 3, with your new hosts, Amir Amin & Taylor Robins.
The hosts may be new, but the goal is the same: highlighting the personal and professional journeys of the incredibly diverse and successful community at IESE.
In this episode, we sat down with IESE Alum and Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurship, Luis Cabiedes. Listen in as we discuss Luis' entrepreneurial adventures throughout his career, as well as his advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Two standout members of the IESE MBA Class of '23, Stephie & Ovidio, were a delight to have on the podcast. In this episode, we discuss the incredible journeys that led them to IESE, their experiences in 1st year vs. 2nd year, and their active participation in giving back to the IESE community.
In this episode, we invited three incredible members of one of the most critical support groups at IESE, the Partners. Listen in as Coni Amigo, Margaux de Wet, and Rafa Montinola speak about their experiences (both the ups and the downs!) at IESE as partners of current students.
In this episode, we had an exciting discussion with IESE Alum and former Associate Director of Admissions, Anna Fata. Listen in as we touch on Anna's remarkable journey to IESE from a non-traditional background, her experiences at IESE as a student and in admissions, as well as the admissions process and what Anna looks for in a prospective admit.
IESE Alum, Business Angel, and Lecturer of Entrepreneurship. Listen in on our discussion with Mathieu Carenzo as we explore his career in the start-up, scale-up, and early-stage equity financing world.
In this episode, we sat down with two recent IESE graduates, Sarah (Class of '22) and Sebastian (Class of '21), who used IESE as the gateway to the exciting start-up and VC world in Barcelona. Our discussion explored their expectations vs. reality of the program, the highlights and lowlights of completing an MBA during COVID, and how their experiences at IESE shifted their career trajectory to its current path.
Federico Travella is a Belgian-Italian tech entrepreneur and the Founding CEO & Executive Chairman of Novicap, a leading fintech scale-up out of Barcelona. He established Novicap with the goal of providing end-to-end working capital solutions to SMEs, mid-market corporates, and public administrations. For seven years, he served as the company's CEO, during which time Novicap was recognized for its success, winning numerous awards like the Alternative Finance Provider of the Year, SME Finance Provider of the Year, and being listed for three consecutive years in the Financial Times' FT1000 list of Europe's fastest-growing companies. Today, Novicap supports thousands of businesses to help them deliver impact for their stakeholders.
Prior to founding Novicap, Federico was a Managing Director of Rocket Internet, where he spearheaded the rapid expansion of Internet ventures throughout the Asia Pacific region. His biggest success at Rocket Internet was the successful scaling of the e-commerce marketplace Lazada, with a combined funding of millions of dollars and a successful exit to the Alibaba Group.
Federico is a passionate advocate of entrepreneurship and a mentor to many entrepreneurs. He has also been an advisor to the European Commission on its innovation and entrepreneurship agenda and is a recognized thought leader in the fields of venture capital, trade finance, and fintech.
In this episode, we sat down with Kandarp Mehta, a Senior Lecturer in Negotiation and Creativity at IESE.
A man of many talents, from published author - his most recent book 'Negotiate good negotiate well. The power of ambidexterity' was released in 2021 - to thespian, we loved hearing about his beginnings in India, his passion for the arts, theatre, and literature, and learnt more than a thing or two discussing creativity, entrepreneurship, and how to negotiate well.
We swung past the office of Stan Fourteau, the Co-Founder and CEO of Ukio, a fast-growing, Barcelona-based start-up that's shaking up the residential real estate market in Europe. Prior to building Ukio, he spent seven years at Airbnb in several roles including the GM of Latin America (Homes) and the Global Head of Growth (Experiences).
Listen in as we delve into the story behind the unstructured post-MBA path Stan took that led him to Airbnb in its early days, his tips for adapting to pressure and change in a fast-paced, ever evolving start-up environment (hint: ice baths help), his experience raising a successful $9M seed round for Ukio and a ton more.
In this weeks’ episode of IESE Spotlights, my podcasting wife Ally O'Donohoe and I were delighted to welcome IESE 2019 alum, George Parker, onto the show.
An entrepreneur straight off the bat after graduating, George is a co-founder and current CEO of GOMEEP, a Barcelona based company helping companies and individuals by providing built for purpose reliable e-mobility assets for last mile delivery and transportation.
We explored his post MBA experiences as a founder here in Barcelona and everything that entails; the highs, the lows, and how the MBA helped him on his way.
We're back for Season 2 of IESE's very own student-run podcast, now lovingly renamed 'IESE Spotlights'.
In this series, we'll be quizzing a diverse spectrum of IESE-affiliated guests - whether successful entrepreneurs, academics or students - on the highs and lows of their personal and professional journeys and what they've learnt along the way.
To kick things off this season, we couldn’t be happier to have IESE alum Avi Meir joining us. As the CEO and Co-Founder of unicorn-status TravelPerk, one of the fastest-growing travel start-ups in the world, Avi has a wealth of wisdom to impart on taking a company from 0 to 1, maintaining resilience (not easy when you're leading a corporate travel start-up through Covid-19!), using the MBA to your advantage and everything in between. A huge thank you to Avi for taking time out of a crazy schedule to chat!
In our fifth and final episode of season two, Kandarp Mehta, a Senior Lecturer in Negotiation and Creativity, joined us in the studio.
A published author, his most recent book 'Negotiate good, negotiate well. The power of ambidexterity' was released in 2021, we loved learning about his beginnings in India alongside his passion for the arts, theatre, and literature, as well as listening to his insights on creativity, entrepreneurship and negotiating well.
A man of many talents, sit back and enjoy our far ranging discussion as we close season two with one of IESE's finest faculty members.
Tiernan & Ally
TOPICS COVERED
Introduction (00:00 - 01:31)
Motivations and early beginnings (01:32 - 05:48)
IESE and the path to a PhD (05:49 - 11:29)
His thoughts on nature vs nurture in creativity (11:30 - 14:29)
Adding creativity back into our lives (14:30 - 17:54)
Differences in thinking (17:55 - 22:51)
Teaching at IESE (22:51 - 24:07)
Shortcomings in negotiating (24:08 - 27:07)
Focusses for the future and musings on writer's block (28:08 - 31:42)
Finding life's purpose (31:43 - 34:45)
Select book recommendations and closing remarks (34:46 - 37:28)
We are delighted to welcome MBA student Boo Umaly to the hot seat for our fourth episode of IESE Spotlights.
Boo is a first-year here at IESE and brings to the program a wealth of experience as a digital marketing expert and founder of her own business at the ripe age of 24. This episode is peppered with a lot of helpful advice for first-time founders through to those interested in finding a VC internship and those considering an MBA program more broadly.
A massive thank you to Boo for joining us. Lots to learn here!
Ally & Tiernan
TOPICS COVERED
Introduction (00:00 - 02:10)
Entrepreneurship in the Philippines (02:10 - 03:58)
Experiences as a young founder (03:58 - 08:51)
Things she wish she knew when she started & advice for first time founders (08:52 - 10:48)
VC internships - the search strategy (10:48 - 13:15)
Closing her business (13:16 - 16:40)
Thoughts on the IESE experience (16:41 - 19:12)
Advice for people contemplating the MBA (19:12 - 19:55)
Future plans (19:56 - 22:03)
Book recommendation (22:03 - 24:45)
On episode three, we were excited to be joined by Stan Fourteau, Co-Founder and CEO of Ukio, a Barcelona based startup disrupting the residential real estate market in Europe.
Ukio’s mission is to empower people to live where they want, when they want, by providing them a home wherever they go. We delved into the story behind the business and his own background, from international origins, studying in the US, and early days spent at Airbnb, this was a thoroughly enjoyable conversation sprinkled with takeaways.
We both agree that this one is a doozy so sit back and enjoy!
Ally & Tiernan
Topics Covered
- Introduction (00:00 - 03:19)
-
The unstructured MBA path towards Airbnb (03:20 - 09:36)
-
Climbing the ranks of a hyper-growth start-up and the resilience and flexibility required (09:37 - 12:59)
-
Taking the leap from Airbnb to entrepreneur - how and why (13:00 - 18:18)
-
Fundraising your first business - highs, lows and learnings (18:19 - 22:00)
-
Advice for first-time founders (22:01 - 26:18)
-
Building resilience and managing stress through Wim Hof (26:19 - 33:28)
-
The future of travel and Ukio's place within it (33:29 - 36:53)
-
Book recommendation (36:54 - 38:20)
In episode two we were joined by class of 2019 alumni, George Parker. A native of the Netherlands, George became an entrepreneur straight after IESE when he co-founded GOMEEP, a Barcelona based company helping companies and individuals by providing built for purpose reliable e-mobility assets for last mile delivery and transportation.
We explored his post MBA experiences as a founder here in Barcelona and everything that entails; the highs, the lows, and how the MBA helped him on his way.
For anyone looking to start their own business directly after the MBA, this is definitely one for you!
Ally & Tiernan
Topics Covered
Introduction (00:00 - 03:33)
Entrepreneurial DNA and the path to IESE (03:34 - 07:13)
Risk appetite and wanting to start his own business (07:14 - 12:42)
Support from the MBA (12:43 - 14:13)
The fundraising experience during COVID (14:14 - 19:51)
Pivoting a business (19:52 - 22:28)
Lessons from co-founding a business (22:29 - 24:04)
Becoming the solo founder (24:05 - 25:31)
The future of GOMEEP (25:32 - 26:22)
What he still uses from the MBA (26:23 - 28:08)
Reflections from his time in Barcelona and closing (28:09 - 30:35)
We are delighted to kick off Season 2 of IESE's student run podcast with a snazzy new name, IESE Spotlights, and a conversation with the irrepressible Avi Meir.
An IESE alumni, Avi is the CEO and Co-founder of Barcelona based unicorn, TravelPerk, the next-generation platform for booking, managing and optimising all stages of business travel.
Sit back and enjoy as we pick his brains on a wide range of topics.
Ally & Tiernan
Topics Covered
Introduction (00:00 - 03:14)
The road to IESE (03:15 - 05:47)
How the MBA helps him run TravelPerk (05:48 - 10:33)
The story and learnings behind the building and selling of his first start-up, Hotel Ninjas (10:34 - 20:10)
The setting up of TravelPerk (20:11 - 23:47)
Advice for first-time founders (23:48 - 26:17)
Navigating a corporate travel start-up through a black swan pandemic (26:18 - 32:39)
Pitching and raising money in the Covid climate (32:40 - 35:34)
The future of business travel (35:35 - 40:07)
Finding purpose and fulfilment (40:08 - 44:54)
How his Israeli heritage plays into his leadership style (44:55 - 49:05)
On this weeks' episode of Beyond the Bio, we were delighted to chat with Marvin Wenzel, a fellow student from the class of 2022. Originally from Germany, where he previously worked as a consultant at McKinsey, Marvin is a rare breed of modern adventurer.
Here he shares some of his musings from his months on the road (he is a born-again motorcycle aficionado) which saw him traverse the old Silk Road down into Pakistan and Southeast Asia, as well as his insights into becoming a consultant, finding out what you really want to do, and life at IESE. Sit back and enjoy!
As always, if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
If you’ve ever felt like you aren’t getting enough out of anything, our conversation with Faith will give you the inspiration to start breaking down barriers! Join us on this episode as we talk to Faith about her journey from China, Germany, IESE and then to Amazon in London. Great takeaways for overcoming workplace cultural differences, breaking into tech and how to get the most of our your MBA experience.
As always, if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
PS. Season 2 of Beyond the Bio has been rebranded to IESE Spotlights
From commanding a platoon in the United States Army, finding his mojo Salsa dancing, and pursuing his entrepreneurial bent, talking to John reminded us of one of the reasons we came to IESE; to surround ourselves with great people. Join us on this episode as we talk to our classmate about all things army, IESE, and much more besides!
As always, if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
PS. Season 2 of Beyond the Bio has been rebranded to IESE Spotlights
Entrepreneurial by nature, Krista has lived, worked, and built companies in countries as far afield as the Philippines, Hong Kong, the US, and Spain. During this episode, she kindly let us into her home, shared some Spanish Vino and opened up about her journey as a female founder since she left IESE in 2016. She also shared her personal journey leading up to that point, as well as her musings on building ventures, finding her path and what she’s taken from her time at IESE. Sit back and enjoy!
As always, if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
PS. Season 2 of Beyond the Bio has been rebranded to IESE Spotlights
On this, the first episode of our Beyond the Bio series, we welcome Mike, an Associate Director of Consulting Career Development at IESE, ex-student body president from the class of 2016 and United States native to the show. Warm and inclusive Mike represents the IESE ethos in mind, body, and spirit! Here he shares his story, tips, and tricks on breaking into consulting and life at IESE. We are delighted to be able to kick off this series with Mike so please, sit back and enjoy!
If you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
PS. Season 2 of Beyond the Bio has been rebranded to IESE Spotlights
We loved this chat at Beyond the Bio; in such a short space of time Tanaka (IESE Class of 2022), has already accomplished so much. In this episode she shores stories about growing up in vastly different countries, building food ventures in the US, and finding her way to IESE. Tanaka’s journey has certainly been eventful and hearing about it was just another of the reasons why coming to IESE is so rewarding!
As always, if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
PS. Season 2 of Beyond the Bio has been rebranded to IESE Spotlights
Far ranging in sweep, our conversation with Pascal, the ex-head of IESE admissions and an alumnus himself, was a thoroughly enjoyable ride. Join us as we hear about ways of differentiating yourself from the MBA applicant pool, what, in his eyes, makes IESE such a special school, as well as how the role of the MBA graduate is changing.
As always, if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
PS. Season 2 of Beyond the Bio has been rebranded to IESE Spotlights
Operations Management Professor extraordinaire, Weiming Zhu is one of the most fascinating people at IESE. An assistant professor at the age of 25 Wei Ming has lived, worked, studied, and taught in China, North America, and Europe. From his personal journey beginning in China, to the future of work, Wei Ming has a unique perspective on the world and our conversation is a must for anyone and everyone with an interest in what’s going on around us.
As always, if you have any comments, we would love to hear from you at: iesebeyondthebio@gmail.com
Ally & Tiernan
PS. Season 2 of Beyond the Bio has been rebranded to IESE Spotlights