Education

At the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard, we are developing educational programs in entrepreneurship designed to empower students, researchers, and early-stage founders from our member universities. These programs will offer specialized training, mentorship, and exposure to the Harvard–MIT innovation ecosystem, combining academic excellence with real-world impact. More details coming soon—we're building a bridge between knowledge and entrepreneurial action.

A hands-on journey through the playbook of successful international entrepreneurs at Harvard and MIT.
Over the course of five immersive days, participants will step into the world of real founders who turned bold ideas into thriving ventures within the Harvard-MIT innovation ecosystem. Through ten in-depth case studies, taught by the entrepreneurs themselves, participants will gain actionable insights, tested strategies, and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the U.S. market. This is not theory — it’s the real playbook, built on experience, and designed to inspire and equip the next generation of global founders.

Entrepreneurship in Action: Case-Based Learning

Cambridge, MA
Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20, 2026
Daily schedule: 8:30 AM – 19:30 PM

Sample schedule

• 08:30 – Welcome Coffee

• 09:00 – Case Study

• 10:30 – Break & networking

• 11:00 – Case Study

• 12:30 – Lunch

• 14:00 – Workshop

• 16:00 – Ecosystem Visit

Each case study session is built around a real-world story of an entrepreneur who launched or scaled a venture within the U.S. market, often through the Harvard-MIT ecosystem. Sessions follow a structured, discussion-based format inspired by the Harvard Business School method. Participants receive a short written case in advance and come prepared to engage in guided analysis, peer dialogue, and problem-solving. The entrepreneur featured leads the session, offering firsthand insights, answering questions, and sharing behind-the-scenes reflections. These sessions are designed to foster critical thinking, practical learning, and rich conversation around the real challenges and decisions faced by founders navigating new markets.

Case Study #1 – Fail Fast, Learn Faster

María Gómez from Seville launched a language learning app in the U.S. that failed to gain traction. Through direct feedback loops and product iteration, she pivoted to a corporate training platform that secured her first B2B contracts in under four months.

Case Study #2 – Hiring Across Borders

Javier Martín from Bilbao built a remote-first SaaS company and expanded to Boston. This case explores his approach to hiring U.S.-based sales and product teams while maintaining cultural alignment and operational efficiency from Spain.

Case Study #3 – Breaking into Healthcare

Lucía Torres from Valencia co-founded a digital therapeutics startup focused on chronic pain. After struggling to meet U.S. regulatory expectations, she partnered with local institutions and adapted her clinical evidence to meet FDA guidelines.

Case Study #4 – The Co-Founder Conflict

Andrés Delgado from Zaragoza and his Barcelona-based co-founder clashed over equity, vision, and relocation to the U.S. This case examines the human side of scaling — and how early alignment can prevent painful rupture.

Case Study #5 – Surviving the U.S. Pivot

Nuria Sánchez from A Coruña led a sustainability startup that initially targeted the European fashion market. When her U.S. launch fell flat, she used customer discovery methods to reposition the product for eco-conscious corporate procurement teams.

Case Study #6 – The Ten-Year Overnight Success

Carlos Requena from Granada worked for nearly a decade on a smart materials startup before connecting with a mentor at MIT. With the right guidance and timing, he secured his first pilot contract with a U.S. defense supplier.

Case Study #7 – Building a U.S. Consumer Brand

Paula Ríos from Palma de Mallorca created a wellness beverage that gained traction in Spain. This case explores her journey of launching on the U.S. West Coast through influencer marketing, brand partnerships, and Shopify experimentation.

Case Study #8 – When Is the Time to Jump to America

Iván Morales from Valladolid built a profitable hardware company in Europe but hesitated to enter the U.S. market. This case dissects the moment he decided to open a Boston office—and what he wishes he had known sooner.

Case Study #9 – It’s All About the Network

Sofía Vega from San Sebastián entered the U.S. edtech space with a high-quality product but no contacts. She leveraged accelerators, alumni networks, and startup competitions to build a foothold in the ecosystem.

Case Study #10 – Funding or Bootstrapping?

Manuel Ortiz from Madrid faced the classic dilemma: raise VC money or keep growing on revenue. This case follows his decision-making process and how it shaped his company’s long-term freedom—and limitations.

Workshop #1 – Ideation

This interactive workshop is designed to foster cross-sector creative thinking. Through structured and dynamic exercises, founders from diverse industries will engage in rapid ideation challenges that push the boundaries of conventional problem-solving. The session emphasizes exploration, collaboration, and play—creating a space for participants to think beyond their core domains, exchange perspectives, and begin building meaningful relationships with their cohort in an open and imaginative environment.

Workshop #2 – Finance

This hands-on workshop demystifies startup finance through practical, founder-friendly exercises. Participants will work in teams to simulate real funding scenarios, build simplified financial models, and interpret key metrics that drive investor decisions. Designed for non-financial founders, the session focuses on understanding cash flow, burn rate, runway, and valuation—using dynamic challenges, peer discussion, and real-world examples. By the end, participants will not only grasp the fundamentals but also feel confident speaking the language of investors in the real world.

Visit #1 – Harvard Innovation Labs

Participants will visit the Harvard Innovation Labs, Harvard University’s premier hub for student and alumni entrepreneurship. They will explore how the iLabs foster innovation across disciplines, providing early-stage ventures with resources, mentorship, and community support. The visit includes interaction with resident teams and an inside look at how ideas are nurtured into ventures within the Harvard ecosystem.

Visit #2 – Cambridge Venture Café

The group will experience the dynamic atmosphere of the Cambridge Venture Café, a cornerstone of the local innovation network. Known for its weekly gatherings that connect entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators, the visit offers participants the chance to observe organic networking in action and engage with one of Kendall Square’s most vibrant entrepreneurial communities.

Visit #3 – MIT Media Lab

Participants will tour the renowned MIT Media Lab, an interdisciplinary research lab that explores the intersection of technology, design, and human experience. The visit provides exposure to pioneering work in fields such as AI, digital health, and robotics, offering insight into how curiosity-driven experimentation contributes to breakthrough innovation.

Visit #4 – Harvard Campus

The program includes a guided visit to the Harvard University campus, providing participants with historical and cultural context on one of the world’s most influential academic institutions. The tour highlights how Harvard’s intellectual environment and entrepreneurial spirit have shaped generations of global leaders and changemakers.

Program Fee: €4,000 per participant
The fee includes full access to the five-day program, all workshops, case study sessions, site visits, and networking events, as well as lodging during the program.

Travel to Cambridge and meals outside of official events are not included.

Students and staff affiliated with universities associated with the Real Colegio Complutense are eligible for a discount.