IESE and Shizenkan Invite MBA Students Worldwide to Shape the Future of Capitalism

The Future of Capitalism, a global educational initiative co-founded by IESE Business School and Shizenkan University, is now accepting applications for its 2027 edition.

This year, a limited number of seats are open to students and graduates from any business school worldwide, as well as aspiring next-generation leaders, expanding participation beyond the program’s network of 23 partner institutions across five continents.

Conducted online, this program for MBA students and next-generation leaders explores the roles and responsibilities of business enterprises and their leaders, and the future of business education.

“The Future of Capitalism reflects IESE’s commitment to expanding access to responsible leadership learning opportunities,” said Fernanda Accorsi, Executive Director of IESE’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership. “This initiative reinforces our conviction that business education should not only prepare leaders to excel within their organizations, but also to drive meaningful change and lead with purpose in service of society.”

Junichi Kagaya, Future of Capitalism Project Director, adds that “The Future of Capitalism is a pioneering platform where committed individuals and institutions collaborate to imagine and build a more just and sustainable future. It reflects the fact that the role and responsibility of business schools in shaping leaders capable of building a better future has never been more important.”

A global platform for responsible leadership

The Future of Capitalism brings together graduate students and emerging leaders from across the globe to reflect on how capitalism can evolve to meet 21st-century challenges. Through interactive discussions with leading academics, executives, and changemakers, participants engage deeply with the social, environmental, and moral dimensions of business leadership.

Since its launch, the program has connected over 1,000 participants from more than 20 countries, creating a global community dedicated to reimagining the purpose of business in society. Past speakers and supporters of the program include Paul Polman (former CEO, Unilever), John Elkington (founder, Volans Ventures), Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Laureate and founder, Grameen Bank), Rebecca Henderson (Harvard University), Colin Mayer (University of Oxford), James Higa (founder and managing director, Offline Ventures) and Kate Raworth (author, Doughnut Economics).

Now entering its seventh edition, the Future of Capitalism continues to expand its reach, offering a unique space to explore topics such as purpose-driven management, ESG and impact investing, new business models, responsible leadership, and corporate value creation.

About the Future of Capitalism

The Future of Capitalism is a global, non-degree educational initiative jointly created by IESE Business School and Shizenkan University. Its mission is to empower emerging leaders to rethink capitalism through responsible leadership, sustainable business practices, and ethical decision-making.

It was launched in January 2021 with a joint course involving four institutions: IESE, Shizenkan, the School of Inspired Leadership (India), and Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil). Since then, the initiative has continued to grow, with 23 participating institutions worldwide. Among them, a select group serves as Core Partner Institutions, taking on enhanced responsibility for program development, academic leadership, and long-term stewardship. The current Core Partner Institutions are: IESE Business School (Spain, Germany, USA, Brazil), Shizenkan University (Japan), School of Inspired Leadership (India), Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil), National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School (Singapore), and Darden School of Business, University of Virginia (USA).

The 2027 edition will run online from January 12 to April 20, 2027, and participation is free of charge.

Applications are now open and close on November 1, 2026.

For more information and details on how to apply, visit the Future of Capitalism.