Driving Change, Shaping the Future: Key Insights from the INSEAD Entrepreneurship Forum 2024

The 2024 INSEAD Entrepreneurship Forum, organised by the Rudolf and Valeria Maag INSEAD Centre for Entrepreneurship, provided a platform to showcase entrepreneurial spirit and offered participants a wealth of insights, knowledge, and inspiration within a supportive environment.   

This year’s forum, held on 4-5 October at the INSEAD Europe Campus in Fontainebleau, united over 150 attendees with diverse backgrounds – from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors to first-time startup founders and current students interested in the topic of entrepreneurship. 

With the opening address, Dean Francisco Veloso emphasised INSEAD's unique position and commitment to fostering entrepreneurial spirit among its community and highlighted the transformative potential of generative AI for startups.  

A recent Alumni Entrepreneurship Survey, presented by Professor Henrich R. Greve, underscored the impressive success of INSEAD graduates in the entrepreneurial landscape, with over 4,000 companies created by our alumni, over the past 20 years. A substantial 73% of the students and graduates surveyed embarked on entrepreneurial activities following their INSEAD education and 43% were entrepreneurs even before enrolling in the business school. “At INSEAD, we recognize four types of entrepreneurship: starting new ventures, corporate entrepreneurship, family business and entrepreneurship through acquisition. There is versatility in our alumni, half of them have done multiple kinds.” said Professor Henrich R. Greve.  

The forum also showcased inspiring stories such as that of Joanna Griffiths MBA'12J, founder and President of intimate apparel brand Knix, who shared her remarkable journey from winning the INSEAD Venture Competition in 2012 to achieving a landmark US$320 million acquisition a decade later. Joanna discussed her journey in building Knix, emphasizing the importance of creating a brand that challenges traditional beauty standards, particularly those perpetuated by fashion shows. She aimed to redefine perceptions of women, highlighting that they are more than just their appearance. One notable campaign, "Age doesn’t matter," was designed to address societal taboos and advocate for women. Joanna also mentioned that Knix's mission is a key factor in attracting and retaining talent, as the brand uses its platform to promote broader social issues. 

“The INSEAD Entrepreneurship Forum is an enriching experience, offering invaluable insights from industry leaders and fostering meaningful connections, all within the inspiring backdrop of the Fontainebleau campus.” Meredith Fensom EMBA'21J, Founder & Principal, Lyra Global

Serial entrepreneur Pablo Ettinger MBA’85J entertained the public with his extraordinary journey, from founding coffee bars to establishing a music talent agency in the UK and an international school in Germany. Instead of planning a career, he advised the audience to “be open to network, follow your passion and a final thing – enjoy what you do.”  

Through other panel discussions and workshops, the audience learnt how to go from passion to practice and secure funding for their ventures. They also explored the specifics of impact and deeptech entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship through acquisition, and the influence of AI in venture building and scaling. 

At the Startup Fair, 10 innovative alumni ventures – Aloma, ATICA, Halir, Herodot, Homapi, JICCEE, Livstick, NBS Factory, Paper Earth, and Soalma – showcased their diverse products and services, ranging from experimental dining experiences and AI-driven legal solutions to legacy management software. 

The Startup Pitch event highlighted six ventures: Autoconnexa, Haliro, Homapi, NBS Factory, Soalma, and iDEAL Rent. Congratulations to iDEAL Rent, founded by Marta Daina MBA'06D, for winning the 12-hour advisory session generously offered by Growth Capital, the Forum's official sponsor. We also extend our gratitude to Loyal VC for their valued sponsorship and support of the event. 

Thanks to the personal stories and authentic experiences shared over the one and a half days, the INSEAD Entrepreneurship Forum 2024 proved to be an invaluable resource and source of inspiration to students and alumni navigating their startup and innovation journeys.