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Join us on Venture Ahead, the IE University entrepreneurship podcast. Think of us as your mentors, guiding you like a professor with invaluable insights, practical tools, and actionable advice. Each episode features interviews with a diverse range of guests, including startup founders, venture capitalists, corporate innovators, and seasoned mentors. We delve into the world of entrepreneurship, uncovering trends, sharing inspiring stories, and equipping you with the best venture knowledge.
27 Episodes
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In this episode of Venture Ahead, Professor Joe Haslam talks with global venture capitalist and author Alexandre Lazarow about how high-performing startups outside Silicon Valley succeed with different playbooks. Drawing on his book "Out-Innovate," Alex contrasts blitzscaling with resilient camel startup strategies that prioritize capital efficiency and staged growth. They explore why startups in smaller markets like Estonia and Singapore are born global from day one, how fintech evolved differently across regions and why innovation is increasingly polycentric.https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlazarow/https://alexlazarow.com/https://fluentventures.com/https://www.ie.edu/university/about/faculty/joe-haslam/https://www.southsummit.io/brazil/
In this episode of Venture Ahead, Professor Joe Haslam chats with Chris Roe, an actor turned public-speaking coach who helps entrepreneurs, CEOs and other business professionals around the world understand the value of confident, authentic communication.https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisroecoach/https://chrisroe.co/https://www.southsummit.io/brazil/
In this episode of Venture Ahead, recorded at South Summit Brazil in Porto Alegre, IE Business School professor Joe Haslam sits down with Orkut Buyukkokten, creator of the pioneering social network Orkut.com, to explore the power of connection and the lessons learned from building a global online community.Buyukkokten shares his journey from a multicultural childhood in Turkey, Germany and the US to becoming a Silicon Valley engineer at Google, where he developed Orkut as a side project that went on to capture the hearts of millions—especially in Brazil. He reflects on the challenges of scaling rapidly, navigating company politics and the cultural factors that shaped the platform’s success.The conversation explores what makes communities thrive, the role of technology in fostering belonging and why social networks need their own identity separate from enterprise tools. Buyukkokten offers candid insights into innovation, resilience and the human need to connect.https://www.linkedin.com/in/orkutb/
In this episode of Venture Ahead, recorded at South Summit Brazil in Porto Alegre, IE Business School professor Joe Haslam sits down with Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, to explore what it means to be a resilient and impact-driven entrepreneur in today’s fast-changing world.Sauvage talks about the journey of a startup and the right moment for scaling, as well as how different VCs can support entrepreneurs in these different stages. He also unpacks the idea of “impact scalers”—entrepreneurs who combine sustainability and profitability to drive large-scale change.The conversation dives into the economics of scaling, the role of a good manager, and the evolving landscape of corporate venture capital. Sauvage makes a bold case for VCs as “superheroes” who empower entrepreneurs, and challenges venture capital to see entrepreneurs as customers.https://www.linkedin.com/in/nsauvage/https://tdk-ventures.com/
In this latest episode of Venture Ahead, recorded at South Summit Brazil, Professor Joe Haslam talks to leading venture capitalist Veronica Serra, founder of Innova Capital. In a wide-ranging discussion, Veronica explains what she did to be taken seriously early on as a woman in a very male-dominated sector, the advantages of a more empathetic and collaborative approach to VC, her approach to adding value to the companies she invests in, and much more.Discover her personal experiences and insights from a long and highly successful VC career—from generational and gender differences to the importance of purpose.https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-allende-serra-a90a6/https://www.innovacapital.com.brhttps://endeavor.org
In this episode of Venture Ahead, recorded live at South Summit Brazil, IE Business School's professor Joe Haslam speaks with Erik Day, Dell’s senior vice president of small & medium business, and global executive chair of Dell’s PRIDE Employee Resource Group (ERG).Erik and Joe discuss the importance of SMBs in the business ecosystem—and the world. They explore the effect that greater access to technology and data is having on SMBs' ability to connect with their customers, and compare the different growth mindsets that can exist in American vs. European SMBs.The conversation also covers the theme of being able to be yourself in the workplace; Erik shares his own personal experiences as a member of the LGBTQ community and reflects on how the culture has changed in the more than 25 years since he joined Dell.https://www.dell.com/en-us/blog/authors/erik-day/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-day-a14a0632/https://www.dell.com/en-us/lp/dt/michael-dellhttps://jobs.dell.com/en/pride-employee-resource-grouphttps://www.southsummit.io/brazil/https://www.ie.edu/business-school/
In this episode of Venture Ahead, recorded live at South Summit Brazil, IE Business School professor Joe Haslam speaks with Damaris Mendoza, Partner at VC firm 500 Global.Together, they dive into the complex topic of diversity in venture capital, exploring the biases that shape investment decisions, the patterns that exclude promising founders and how the industry can move from awareness to real change. Mendoza shares insights from her work in Latin America and beyond, shedding light on why representation in investment teams matters, and how emerging fund managers are starting to shift the status quo. They also discuss the importance of communication skills for creating a more diverse global entrepreneurial ecosystem.If you're curious about how capital can be a catalyst for inclusion, this conversation is a must-listen for understanding the future of VC in a more equitable world.https://www.linkedin.com/in/damaris-mendoza-loera?originalSubdomain=mx , https://500.co/ https://www.axios.com/smart-brevity
In this episode of Venture Ahead, recorded live at South Summit Brazil, IE Business School professor Joe Haslam sits down with Tony Jamous—founder and CEO of Oyster, a company on a mission to remove barriers to remote work and unlock global talent potential.Tony shares his personal journey from growing up amid war in Lebanon to reimagining the future of work without borders. He explores how leaders can foster satisfaction in remote teams and why the freedom to choose where you live and when you work is key to happiness and productivity.The conversation offers fresh insights into the evolving role of leadership in a distributed world, and how purpose, flexibility and inclusivity are shaping the workplaces of tomorrow. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the future of work, leadership and global opportunity.https://books.google.es/books/about/The_Monk_and_the_Riddle.html?id=uYIGJWJGncYC&redir_esc=y https://www.oysterhr.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/teljamou/?originalSubdomain=cy
In this episode of Venture Ahead, recorded live at South Summit Brazil, IE Business School professor Joe Haslam sits down with Jeff Hoffman—serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Priceline and Booking.com, and a global advocate for innovation and education.Jeff shares hard-won insights on building and scaling successful ventures, including the art of asking the right questions rather than having all the answers. He reflects on creating Expedia with Bill Gates, developing the first airport check-in kiosks and building the right team to drive scalable impact.The conversation also explores the power of the founder influence and why Jeff likes to keep his feet firmly on the ground. Packed with practical advice and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about entrepreneurship and creative leadership.jeffhoffman.com https://www.amazon.com/Scale-Seven-Proven-Principles-Business/dp/1591847249
In this episode of Venture Ahead, host Joe Haslam talks with Paula Ganem, who at the time was Head of Canada and LATAM Capital Markets at the New York Stock Exchange, about connecting Latin American companies with global investors, the current state of tech IPOs from LATAM and why the market went quiet after 2021.Paula explains the key benefits of going public on the NYSE, from the cost of capital advantages to joining an exclusive club of global companies. The conversation covers when companies should start the IPO process, investor perceptions of LATAM companies, and her family connection to Brazilian Formula One legend Ayrton Senna.https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-s-ganem/https://www.nyse.comhttps://international.nubank.com.br/about/ https://www.southsummit.io/leader/paula-ganem-2/https://www.ie.edu/university/about/faculty/joe-haslam/https://www.southsummit.io/brazil/
In this episode of Venture Ahead, host Joe Haslam talks with cybersecurity expert Nancy Wang about her keynote at South Summit Brazil and her mission to boost female leadership in deep tech.They discuss her journey in the industry, including the role of women in supporting other women. Nancy talks about the value of awareness, action and allyship, and why inclusion depends on everyone having a seat at the table.The conversation also touches on management styles and how these affect early-stage startups, as well as the role of regulation in the tech sector and how it’s shaping innovation, ethics and responsibility.https://www.linkedin.com/in/leandrobalbinot/https://www.amazon.com https://www.wholefoodsmarket.comhttps://www.amazon.jobs/content/en/our-workplace/leadership-principleshttps://stratechery.comhttps://www.ie.edu/university/about/faculty/joe-haslam/https://www.southsummit.io/brazil/
In this episode of Venture Ahead, host Joe Haslam talks with Bruno Loiola, cofounder of Pluggy and IE University alum, about his journey from the Venture Lab to building fintech infrastructure in Brazil. They discuss Brazil's remarkable transformation from a cash-based to digital-first economy, driven by innovations like Pix instant payments and Open Finance regulations. Bruno explains Pluggy's role as the bridge connecting bank accounts to apps, and how Central Bank policies have brought 70 million Brazilians into the financial system.https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunoloiolahttps://www.pluggy.ai/https://www.ie.edu/university/about/faculty/joe-haslam/https://www.southsummit.io/brazil/https://www.ycombinator.com/
In this episode of Venture Ahead, entrepreneur and venture capitalist Ricardo Aizenman shares insights from his career at KPMG and Citibank, his experience founding Ironman Capital, and his work supporting Latin American startups. He discusses the role of technology in financial inclusion and reflects on how his MBA from IE Business School shaped his success. The conversation also touches on his social impact work through an NGO focused on disaster relief in Latin America.Episode structure:Intro: 1:17Initial question: 6:28Interview: 7:18Entrepreneur’s inbox: 23:07
In this episode of Venture Ahead, Iñaki Berenguer shares his journey from scientist to serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, drawing on his experiences founding and scaling multiple tech companies. He reflects on the value of creating innovative products, navigating personal sacrifices, and transitioning from founder to investor. The discussion covers his approach to investment, emphasizing team qualities, market timing, and innovation in rapidly changing fields like AI, life sciences, and healthcare. Iñaki also highlights the transformative potential of AI in democratizing healthcare, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing longevity, offering guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors.Episode structure:Intro: 1:14Initial question: 3:00Interview: 4:05 Entrepreneur’s inbox: 27:00
In this episode of Venture Ahead, Catalina Valentino, CEO and co-founder of Elixr, shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey and vision for sustainable smart cities. She discusses her rapid academic and professional rise, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the transformative potential of technologies like blockchain and digital twin planning. The conversation highlights her dedication to creating impactful, human-centric solutions while addressing the realities of the entrepreneurial lifestyle and pivoting to find your path.Episode structure:Intro: 1:08Initial question: 6:24Interview: 7:16Entrepreneur’s inbox: 26:54
In this episode of Venture Ahead by IE University, Alejandro Artacho, CEO and co-founder of Spotahome, shares his journey from identifying inefficiencies in the real estate market to building a groundbreaking digital rental platform. Artacho discusses the early challenges of establishing trust among landlords, the complexities of balancing supply and demand, and the importance of building a versatile, committed team. He offers strategic insights on capital management, advocating for bootstrapping and selective fundraising, and announces Spotahome’s latest service: guaranteed rent for landlords in Europe. Alejandro also reflects on the role of digital innovation in transforming real estate and the entrepreneurial principles guiding Spotahome’s continued expansion.Episode structure:Intro: 1:04Initial question: 4:49Interview: 5:44 Entrepreneur’s inbox: 21:53
In this episode of Venture Ahead, Valeria Salgado interviews Mateo Salvatto, the young CEO and founder of Asteroid, a company that creates technology for people with disabilities. Mateo shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey: from developing software to help his mother’s deaf students, to leading a global company serving over 400,000 users. The conversation covers key topics such as the challenges of bootstrapping a startup in Argentina, navigating cultural and financial barriers in Latin America, expanding into Europe, and the importance of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship. Mateo also offers insights into his motivations, driven by the emotional impact of his work and the sense of responsibility to make a difference, quoting Argentine liberator José de San Martín to highlight his commitment.Episode structure:Intro: 1:02Initial question: 3:56Interview: 7:12Entrepreneur’s inbox: 14:01
In this episode of Venture Ahead, Valeria Salgado, a BBA student at IE University, interviews Enrique Linares, mentor, investor, and co-founder of LetGo and Plus Partners, about his entrepreneurial journey. Enrique shares his experiences founding Spain's first unicorn startup, navigating challenges during the 2008 financial crisis, and expanding his ventures across Spain, Brazil and the US. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, teambuilding and learning from experience. Enrique also highlights the need for balancing rapid growth with sustainability, managing work-life balance, and leveraging mentorship to support future entrepreneurs.Episode structure:Intro: 1:02Initial question: 4:34Interview: 6:04Entrepreneur’s inbox: 25:52
In this episode of Venture Ahead, Leanne Mair, founder of Benefactum Consulting, shares her journey from asset management to entrepreneurship, focusing on promoting gender and racial equality in the workplace. She discusses the unique challenges faced by women of color, the importance of addressing intersectionality in equity efforts, and how businesses can take actionable steps to foster inclusion. Through listener questions, Leanne offers insights on how organizations can move beyond diversity targets and create sustainable, supportive environments for women to succeed. Episode structure:Intro: 01:15Initial question: 5:56Interview: 7:18Entrepreneur’s inbox: 22:42
In this Venture Ahead episode, Michael Baum, founder of Splunk and successful entrepreneur, shares his journey in the tech industry and offers deep insights into startup growth, investment strategies, and the concept of "conscious innovation."He talks about the evolution of Splunk, its acquisition by Cisco, and the importance of data-driven decision-making in business. Michael discusses the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, emphasizing resilience, co-founder dynamics, and the importance of thinking big. He also explores the ethical and societal impact of technology, highlighting the need for long-term sustainable innovation in areas like AI, electric vehicles, and battery technology.Baum encourages entrepreneurs to focus not only on profitability but also on making a positive impact on the world.Episode structure:Intro: 00:52Initial question: 4:05Interview: 4:33Entrepreneur’s inbox: 23:34
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