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IESE's 40 best entrepreneurs under 40 for 2026
To date, IESE 40under40 award winners have created over 5,000 jobs, generated more than €600 million in revenue, and raised upwards of €1 billion
April 7, 2026
IESE Business School today unveiled the 2026 honorees of its IESE 40under40 awards, the school’s flagship entrepreneurship event held every four years. The awards spotlight outstanding entrepreneurs and innovators under the age of 40 from IESE’s global network of more than 60,000 alumni.
Across the three editions to date, IESE 40under40 award winners have created over 5,000 jobs, generated more than €600 million in revenue, and raised upwards of €1 billion in capital.
The 40 entrepreneurs, all students or alumni, were selected for the 2026 edition through a rigorous evaluation process that assessed the viability and growth of their ventures, with particular emphasis on their social impact, including contributions to society and job creation.
The complete list of the IESE 40under40 2026 honorees:
- Aitor Casal Escobedo — LIN3S Sports Business SL
- Alan Ramírez — Coperva
- Andres Sendagorta — FRENKIT
- Ayús Corcia — Thunder Hunter
- Benjamin Nachoom — OneCoWork
- Bernardo Sa Pereira — Amelia
- Borja Álvarez — Wikend Smile
- Borja Bolivar — Cropsalsa
- Carla Barber — Clínicas Carla Barber
- Carolina Carrillo Alvarez — Performer Group
- Elena Criado — Wikend Smile
- Federico Richardson — Lexidy Tech SL
- Felipe de los Rios — LIFT | Almagro Capital
- Francesc Xavier Gastaminza — Homity
- Ignacio Fuente — FRENKIT
- Ignacio Zaera — Simpling Pro
- Inés Serra — Biosorra
- Inés Urés — Arpías
- Jan Jursa — Finax, o.c.p., a.s.
- Javier de Ros — Goros Investments
- Javier Muñoz Posse — Furtivo
- Juan Miguel Goenechea — Goros Investments
- Manuel Coterillo — LIS Data Solutions
- Mar Raposo — Automatic
- Marc Vilar — Apartool
- Mathias Tholey — the nu company GmbH
- Nacho Rivera Balius — Blue Banana Brand
- Nicola Grünenfelder — Digt AG
- Nicolas De Paul — Minders
- Nicolas de Luis — Shakers
- Pablo Martinez — Routal
- Pablo Urbano Villaescusa — Auara
- Pedro Sánchez de Alba — Novas&Mar
- Pere Padrosa Sayeras — Truck Parking Network SL
- Raúl García Blàzquez — MICRORELLEUS, S.L.
- Ramón Martín Núñez — Albor Capital
- Ricard Guillem — Cafler
- Rubén Molina — Innitius
- Santiago Navarro-Rubio Polo — Namencis Education
- Sebastiaan Kloppenborg — HousApp
A Celebration of Entrepreneurship
The 40 winners will also be honored at a special awards ceremony held at IESE’s Barcelona campus on May 12, 2026.
The IESE 40under40 Awards 2026 will bring together leading entrepreneurs, investors, faculty, and members of IESE’s international community for an evening celebrating entrepreneurial excellence and impact. The event will also feature conversations on the future of innovation, growth, and responsible leadership.
During the ceremony, an international jury will announce four additional distinctions: Outstanding Female Entrepreneur, Most Innovative Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur with the Most Social Impact, Entrepreneur with the Best Growth Track.
The IESE 40under40 Awards are part of IESE Business School’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, led by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. IESE supports founders through research, mentoring, networks, funding access, and specialized programs for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors.
Approximately 30% of IESE graduates launch a venture within five years of completing their program. IESE alumni entrepreneurs have collectively raised more than $20 billion in funding and created more than 100,000 jobs worldwide.
