Today, IE University is renowned for its innovative approach to business education and encouraging entrepreneurship opportunities among students. Yet many wonder if entrepreneurship can be properly taught in a classroom setting. The latest Going to IEU podcast explores these questions with IE Business School Professor Maya Kumar and Academic Coordinator Gabriela Caso. In this episode, Kumar and Caso talk about the key characteristics of entrepreneurs and the benefits of failing.
A different kind of educational model
Whether entrepreneurship can be taught effectively in the classroom has long divided educators and practitioners. This is why IE University combines rigorous academic research with hands-on experience.
According to Professor Kumar, “We try to look at entrepreneurship analytically, drawing from multiple entrepreneurs’ experiences to teach what has worked and what hasn’t. It’s not just based on anecdotal evidence—we bring research principles into the classroom to make it practical and relevant.”
Given the diverse mindsets at IE University, the balance of theory and practice is critical. After all, some students enroll with pre-existing ventures or strong entrepreneurial aspirations. Conversely, other students are skeptical or pessimistic about the subject.
These types of situations are where the most profound learning experiences take place. For Caso, “the most gratifying thing is when students who had a terrible image of entrepreneurship come into the course and we’re able to change their mindset.””She adds, “Sometimes students write in their reflections things like ‘I thought I wasn’t good enough for entrepreneurship, and we help them overcome these limiting beliefs.”
Building the entrepreneurial mindset
As seen in this podcast, Kumar and Caso agree that entrepreneurship isn’t just about launching businesses. Beyond that, it’s about developing a problem-solving mindset that students can apply to any career path. Whether it’s how to deal with unexpected roadblocks in a corporate setting or how to launch a global startup, entrepreneurship teaches students to approach challenges creatively yet practically. This helps students understand that entrepreneurial thinking extends beyond just traditional business creation.
A key focus of IE University’s entrepreneurship education is addressing the reality of failure. Rather than simply stating statistics about failure rates, the program helps students understand failure as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. The curriculum acknowledges that while passion and dedication are essential, entrepreneurs must also maintain perspective and balance. This includes understanding when to persist and when to pivot. Connected to this is IE University’s dedication to helping students maintain their mental health while pursuing entrepreneurial goals.
But can entrepreneurship really be taught in a classroom?
Recent research supports the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education. For example, a 2021 Stanford study suggests that while entrepreneurship courses might not directly increase the likelihood of starting a business, they significantly improve the performance of businesses that students eventually launch. These findings validate IE University’s methodology of combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Our program also recognizes the importance of context in entrepreneurship. As Kumar and Caso reinforce in this podcast, success factors vary greatly depending on location, resources and market conditions. By exposing students to both academic research and real-world experiences, the program prepares them to navigate these variables with confidence.
No matter whether our students go on to launch their own ventures or apply entrepreneurial thinking in corporate careers, IE University provides them with valuable tools and perspectives. The program demonstrates that while entrepreneurship cannot be reduced to a simple formula, the right methods and techniques can significantly enhance students’ chances of success in whatever career they choose.