Esade Entrepreneurship Summit

May 18 - 20 | Esade Forum, Barcelona

The Esade Entrepreneurship Summit 2023 (EESummit) became a get-together of international fast-growth entrepreneurs, investors, and talent in Barcelona for a dynamic exchange of ideas and opportunities. Under a 0-bullshit approach, it provided an inspiring and down-to-earth experience with sessions filled with genuine discussions that fostered meaningful connections and empowered attendees to think big.

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With a 0-bullshit approach, the Esade Entrepreneurship Summit, or EESummit, embodied a philosophy rooted in authenticity and realness. We created an environment where individuals came together to share, connect, and grow in their entrepreneurial journeys and experiences in the startup world.

The Summit focused on connecting people, encouraging meaningful interactions, and extracting practical insights from the collective wisdom of entrepreneurs and industry professionals. With conferences featuring top speakers and founders on 18 and 19 May, a pitching session with the TOP5 startups of the Esade Entrepreneurship Summit Competition, and a networking sailing experience on 20 May, the event was an absolute success!

Throughout these two days, we explored a wide range of topics: from identifying the next big opportunity to fundraising secrets, and the future of talent and career in the startup world. The panel discussions were thought-provoking and enlightening, providing invaluable perspectives from international industry leaders, founders, and investors. We also had a chance to learn about five amazing startups (Electrogenos, Rhyde, Nebeus, Tribboo & Aqtiva) as they pitched on the main stage and chatted with the renowned Steve Blank.

The Summit became the perfect platform for attendees to exchange ideas and gain fresh perspectives from industry leaders, forge new partnerships and collaborations, uncover the next big thing while exploring potential opportunities, foster meaningful connections, and expand their network, as it brought together a diverse and dynamic community of international entrepreneurs, experienced founders, investors, and industry professionals.

Morning exclusive sessions

During the EESummit, we had invite-only morning sessions for experienced founders, C-level professionals, and investors. It was a powerful space for close networking and tackling several topics – including AI – in a down-to-earth and collaborative environment.

28 top experts and C-level professionals attended | 52% of the EESummit speakers joined

The EESummit Startup Competition

To empower entrepreneurs, we organized a startup competition in which the top ten startups in the competition obtained free access to the EESummit; and the TOP5 startups were invited to pitch at the main stage and had the opportunity to connect with investors, VCs, and organizations of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

41 startup applications (29.2% with HQ outside Spain)

Exclusive Networking Sailboat Experience

We organized this activity to foster meaningful connections between entrepreneurs, Esade talent, investors, founders, and professionals on another level and in a more relaxed environment. The experience was extended through the afternoon as we came together for some food and drinks.

67 attendees | +40% were investors, professionals, and speakers at the summit, and students

278

Attendees

36%

Founders, CEOs and presidents

29%

International

29

Speakers

11

Sessions and activities

The first day of the Esade Entrepreneurship Summit was a down-to-earth exploration of the startup journey and the opportunities. We kicked off with a panel discussing the next big opportunities, analyzing ideas, and exploring future trends including the exciting realm of AI and beyond. The second panel centered around managing growth, sharing insights on scaling companies, and fostering sustainable growth strategies. We also delved into the world of value creation and exit strategies, uncovering how entrepreneurs can create and maximize value in their ventures. The day concluded with a lively panel discussion on hot opportunities for venture capitalists. We also announced a special treat for our attendees, our open ice cream bar, and of course, we made time for networking. It was a day filled with practical insights, honest discussions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.

The second day of the Esade Entrepreneurship Summit was an exhilarating exploration of talent, fundraising, and startup pitching. We began with a captivating panel on talent and career, where experts shared invaluable insights on navigating the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. The following panel unraveled the secret sauce of valuation and fundraising, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential ingredients for success. The highlight of the day was the thrilling startup pitching session, where innovative entrepreneurs showcased their groundbreaking ideas. We were also honored to have a fireside chat with the renowned Steve Blank, who shared his wisdom and experiences remotely. The day concluded with a networking session accompanied by a glass of cava, providing the perfect setting to celebrate and forge meaningful connections. It was a day filled with inspiration, knowledge, and endless possibilities for all attendees.

We launched a Startup Competition as part of the Esade Entrepreneurship Summit or EESummit to help startups get the visibility they need and connect with the investors, VCs and organizations of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The competition was open to all startups already in the market, with a validated project in the growth phase, who can share customer metrics, or have a high-growth and high-impact startup. If they were looking to raise capital within the following 6 months. The 10 best startups applying got free access to the EESummit together with communication visibility and the TOP5 startups got the opportunity to pitch in the main stage of the Esade Entrepreneurship Summit in front of a jury made up of investors and founders, as well as the audience with VCs, investors, founders, entrepreneurs and more.

"The 0-bullshit policy really kicks in."

"I was really surprised with the high quality of the speakers."

"Well organized, flowed well, and I liked the open format, with Q&A from the audience."

"Down-to-earth conversations and honest experiences from the speakers."

"The sailboat experience was a lot of fun and I did more networking there than at the conference when it was a very relaxed informal ambience."

"The right mix of social and fun, but then also getting some work done and productive discussions."

"I had great fun! And I did more networking here when it was a very relaxed informal ambience, than at the conference :)."

Esade Entrepreneurship Summit