IESE and Barrilero launch a fund to promote research and training in search funds

IESE Business School and Barrilero have launched the Barrilero Fund for Search Funds and Entrepreneurial Acquisitions, a strategic alliance to strengthen research, outreach and training in the field of search funds through the IESE International Search Fund Center. Search funds are investment vehicles through which an entrepreneur raises capital to acquire and actively manage a private company with growth potential. The fund will be under the academic direction of Professor Jan Simon. 

The agreement will enable IESE to expand its global research with new regional and sector-specific analyses, promote the publication of specialized content on legal and tax issues, strengthen executive education and talent development in search funds, and enhance the sector’s leading international events. 

IESE is one of the leading international academic institutions in the study and development of search funds. The school coordinates this activity through its International Search Fund Center and within IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, which combines research, training, international networks and specialized support for entrepreneurs, innovators and investors. Over the past year, IESE has mentored more than 100 potential searchers and connected more than 44 CEOs and 130 investors. 

IESE was the first business school outside North America to offer an intensive course focused on search funds, now one of the most sought-after MBA electives. More than 50 graduates have raised search funds in 16 countries across five continents. Since 2011, the school has collaborated with the Stanford Graduate School of Business on the international analysis of the model, which is detailed in the joint study they publish every two years. 

IESE’s international activities in this field include the International Search Fund Conference, the community’s premier networking event, held biennially in partnership with Stanford, as well as new training initiatives such as the Search Fund and Entrepreneurial Acquisition Bootcamp, which will launch in June 2026.  

Barrilero, Spain’s leading firm in the field of search funds and one of Europe’s leading firms in legal, tax and corporate advisory services related to the model, has become IESE’s strategic partner of choice in this area.