Mifund & Investment
13 Apr 2026 | 5 min read
Investing in startups today is not only profitable — it’s a way to actively shape the future by anticipating trends, identifying talent, and becoming a catalyst for change.
Investing in startups is not only profitable, it is also essential to ensure a competitive economy and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Despite the competitiveness challenges it faces, South Africa has a growing startup ecosystem in sectors such as AI, renewable energy, and biotechnology, offering attractive opportunities for investors seeking diversification and high return potential.
In Spain, companies like Recover in the circular economy, TravelPerk in business travel, Peptomyc in cancer biotechnology, Typeform in SaaS technology, and Cabify in mobility and transport are examples of startups that have successfully attracted funding and gained strong market positions.
“Startups are no longer a niche — they’re strategic assets”
The trend is clear: startups are no longer a niche and have become strategic assets. But what does making investment decisions in this field really involve? What criteria are key? Teresa Corrales, teaching fellow at Esade, former director of Executive Education Programs and a seasoned finance, addressed these questions in a session held during the recent Esade Live Experience, a day for partners, candidates, and alumni to discover the new Madrid campus.
Why invest in startups
In recent years, investment trends have shifted. Beyond financial appeal, investing in startups offers portfolio diversification, supports innovation (internal or external), and contributes to entrepreneurship with economic, business, and social impact. For executives and business angels, it also allows them to align their investments with the trends transforming key industries.
The data supports this view. According to the III Study of Venture Capital Fund Profitability in Spain (EY, 2023), startup investment has delivered returns of 11.2%, outperforming the Ibex 35 (the benchmark stock market index in Spain) and nearly doubling the return on real estate over 10-year periods. It’s a high yield, but as Teresa Corrales notes, “it requires taking risks, identifying opportunities with clear criteria, acting strategically, and building a portfolio.”