New IE program for Xponential Thinkers
Sci-Tech and Business School Launch MXT Program for Future Innovators.
The IE School of Science and Technology (Sci-Tech) and IE Business School have launched the Management Xponential Technology (MXT) program in the IE Tower. This six-month initiative teaches how to leverage rapid advancements in disruptive technologies and develop an exponential mindset.
Business & Tech Shoot for the Moon
The MXT opening ceremony focused on the realities of entrepreneurship, including lively debate about the risks and rewards of going it alone.
The launch event opened with remarks from Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean of the IE School of Science and Technology, and David Suarez, Vice Dean of the IE Business School.
Sidhu welcomed this first formal collaboration with the IE Business School and outlined his vision for the program, calling upon his experiences at UC Berkeley and as an entrepreneur.
"What Europe needs in addition to dual competence in technology and business is exponential thinking. Everyone is great at operations, but the opportunity is in the scaling of ideas into something much bigger. That exponential mindset is the edge I want this group to have."
The MXT program represents a forward-thinking approach to education at the intersection of science, technology, and business. As Suarez remarked: "We are living through the largest disruption in our history as a species. To navigate this era, you need to think exponentially, not incrementally, and embrace moonshot thinking."
The evening featured a masterclass by Juan Dominguez, entrepreneur and founder of Plaf.com, moderated by Joe Haslam, Academic Lead of the Program. Dominguez shared his experiences and challenges in building successful ventures: "Being an entrepreneur is a unique existence. You endure 90% pain for 10% pleasure, but there’s a calling to it — a drive to create, to innovate, and to overcome challenges that others shy away from."
The fireside chat further highlighted the program’s emphasis on creating an environment where leadership and innovation can thrive. Haslam echoed Sidhu’s perspective, stating: "In Europe, there can sometimes be this collective mindset —in which standing out isn’t celebrated as much as it is in other parts of the world. Programs like this aim to create an environment where raising your hand, asking questions, and thinking bigger with exponential scale is encouraged and nurtured."
A Vision for Transformational Learning
The MXT program brings together 28 IE students selected for their passion for technology, entrepreneurial spirit, and visionary leadership. Over six months, participants will engage with a curriculum focused on emerging technologies like Generative AI, develop strategies to tackle real-world challenges, and receive mentorship from industry leaders.
As Haslam noted: "You don’t truly understand entrepreneurship or innovation until you’re working alongside people who embody it. Spending time with entrepreneurial minds transforms the way you think and act—it’s not something you pick up from reading cases."
The program concludes in June with a graduation ceremony and the transition of participants into the MXT Fellowship, a community designed to foster lifelong learning and collaboration.
MXT sits within IE Sci-Tech’s Impact Xcelerator (iX), which provides complementary opportunities to students and create leaders who can think beyond the status quo. Updates on the students’ journey will follow in the coming months.
Q&A with Raquel Cabero, MXT Academic Director
Why did you create the MXT program?
We designed the MXT program based on the vision of our Dean Ikhlaq Sidhu, to enable our dual degree students to capitalize on the knowledge they’ve acquired during their academic journey at both the Business and Sci-Tech Schools.
The program aims to equip those students with the skills and mindset necessary to leverage exponential growth and innovation -- whether in the company they aspire to work for or in their own ventures. It will prepare them to thrive in an increasingly fast-paced, tech-driven world, and really empower them to turn great ideas into real-world solutions. The focus isn’t just on generating ideas, but on breaking through perceived barriers and helping students execute and present solutions that align with their personal and professional goals.
Who is eligible to join?
Students that are pursuing a dual degree at the Business and the Science and Technology Schools at either the bachelor’s or master’s level. But it ’s not just about GPAs; it’s important that our MXT candidates can demonstrate a passion for technology, an entrepreneurial spirit, a tech-driven mindset, strong critical thinking skills, and visionary leadership.
What will the students be doing over the next few weeks?
Over the next few weeks, the students will focus on the three core MXT areas of Management, Technology, and Exponential Mindsets. We’ll kick things off by working together to identify their strengths and ambitions. They’ll learn about exponential thinking and disruptive technologies and through sessions that embody the '10x + Impact' approach, they’ll develop the mindset and skills needed to create sustainable and scalable solutions.
Throughout the program they’ll learn from leaders in tech innovation and startup founders. It’s very hands-on, so they’ll have the opportunity to work on their personal projects, and get one-on-one coaching sessions and personalized career support.
The program will culminate with the students presenting their ideas to the MXT community. When they’re done, they will become MXT Fellows, a network of like-minded people that will meet regularly and enable them to develop interesting relationships and exchange ideas. We’re excited to see what impact our MXTers will make in the coming years…