IESE promotes entrepreneurship in quantum technologies

IESE Business School is partnering with the Basque Government and the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, through BIC Gipuzkoa, to co-launch the latest Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) in Europe, dedicated to quantum technologies.

CDL is a global startup initiative for seed-stage, science-based companies. The partnership aligns with the United Nations’ International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, reinforcing Europe’s ambition to lead in frontier innovation.

IESE’s role and long-term vision

Starting in September 2025, the collaboration will run for five years, with annual mentoring cycles co-hosted by IESE and guided by world-class experts in academia, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. IESE MBA students will also be involved.

The initiative advances three strategic goals:

1. Support entrepreneurs globally in quantum computing.
2. Promote deeper engagement between IESE faculty and deep-tech communities.
3. Continue refining IESE’s methodologies to better support its students and alumni.

As part of this vision, IESE plans to enhance the MBA curriculum in this area. The initiative builds on IESE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and promote entrepreneurship in deep tech, boosting entrepreneurial innovation in Europe and beyond.

According to Professor Gaizka Ormazabal, IESE’s Associate Dean for Research and the PhD Program “Promoting entrepreneurship is an essential part of IESE’s mission. Our goal is to develop leaders who have a deep and lasting impact through professional excellence and a spirit of service. Entrepreneurs with a true sense of purpose provide a great service to society. These initiatives aim to support that effort.”

Under the academic direction of Professor Sampsa Samila for this collaboration, IESE’s participation is led by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, in partnership with other research initiatives across the school.

Proven models, new frontiers

The initiative follows the proven model of CDL–Toronto, founded at the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto), which has supported ventures like Multiverse Computing, co-founded by IESE alum Enrique Lizaso (MBA’90).

This strategic project is closely aligned with the installation of Europe’s first IBM Quantum System Two in San Sebastián—providing participating startups with direct access to state-of-the-art quantum infrastructure.

Growing the IESE ecosystem for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors

This initiative will also enable the further development of the school’s holistic ecosystem for entrepreneurs, innovators and investors.