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: 1:17

Initial question: 6:28

Interview: 7:18

Entrepreneur’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: 1:14

Initial question: 3:00

Interview: 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: 1:08

Initial question: 6:24

Interview: 7:16

Entrepreneur’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: 1:04

Initial question: 4:49

Interview: 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: 1:02

Initial question: 3:56

Interview: 7:12

Entrepreneur’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: 1:02

Initial question: 4:34

Interview: 6:04

Entrepreneur’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: 01:15

Initial question: 5:56

Interview: 7:18

Entrepreneur’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: 00:52

Initial question: 4:05

Interview: 4:33

Entrepreneur’s inbox: 23:34