Scaleup Conference - European Scaleup Institute

May 22-23, 2026

European Scaleup Conference

Scaling and scaleups have gained significant attention in recent years, as they significantly contribute to economic growth, value and wealth creation, competitiveness, employment, and technological change and can have material social impact. At the same time, scaling poses multiple challenges such as managing rapid growth while attaining or maintaining profitability and organizational control, attracting and retaining resources such as funding and talent while establishing and elaborating organizational processes and structures, rapidly replicating standard practices and business models while adapting to diverse local environments, as well as dynamically responding to shifting competitive, regulatory and geopolitical landscapes while maintaining focus and competitive advantage. Despite emergent insights into underlying drivers and challenges, there is still much to learn about scaling and scaleups. The ESI Conference serves as a platform for discussing original research and insights about the nature, fundamental issues, determinants, and consequences of scaling and scaleups.

Esade Business School

Address: Av. d'Esplugues 92-96, 08034 Barcelona (SP)

Sessions and speakers

Conference Programme

Day-by-Day Schedule Overview

The conference unfolds over two days of curated sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities. This schedule provides a structured overview of the event flow, helping you navigate key moments - from academic sessions to informal exchanges.

DAY 1 | FRIDAY, 22 MAY

9:00–9:30: Registration & Morning Coffee – Reception Desk
9:30–9:45: Welcome & Presentation ESI – Floor A, Room A001
- Welcome by Prof. Lisa Hehenberger, Dean of the Esade Business School
- Introduction by Prof. Dimo Ringov, ESI & Prof. Veroniek Colleweart, ESI
9:45–11:15: Paper Presentations (Session 1) – Floor A, Room A001
11:15–11:30: Coffee Break – Cafeteria Floor A
11:30–13:00: Paper Presentations (Session 2) – Floor A, Room A001
13:00–14:00: Lunch – Restaurant, Floor 2
14:00–15:30: Paper Presentations (Session 3)- Floor A, Room A001
15:30–15:45: Coffee Break – Cafeteria Floor A
15:45–16:45: Practitioner Panel – Floor A, Jungle Room
16:45–17:00: Coffee Break – Cafeteria Floor A
17:00–17:20: ESI ScaleUp Monitor Report – Floor A, Room A001
- Prof. Dries Faems, ESI
20:00–22:30: Seaside Dinner
- Restaurant Sal Mar, Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, Ciutat Vella, 08003, Barcelona

DAY 2 | SATURDAY, 23 MAY

9:30–9:45: Morning Coffee – Cafeteria Floor A
9:45–11:15: Paper Presentations (Session 4) – Floor A, Room A001
11:15–11:30: Coffee Break – Cafeteria Floor A
11:30–13:00: Paper Presentations (Session 5) – Floor A, Room A001
13:00–13:15: Farewell & Closing Remarks – Floor A, Room A001
13:15–13:45: Farewell Toast – Terrace, Floor 2

Session Details

The academic programme offers a comprehensive view of the frontier of scaling research. Bringing together leading scholars from top institutions, each session explores key themes through original research and discussion. Explore the sessions below to engage with the ideas shaping the future of scaling.

Session 1: Conceptualizing and Measuring Scaling

“Scalability and Scaling in Management Research: Toward a Process Model Integrating Fragmented Literatures”

Justin J.P. Jansen (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University) & Esther Tippmann (University of Galway)

“Quantifying and Decomposing Scaling”

Daniel Blaseg (Esade), Johannes Roscher (McKinsey) & Bernd Skiera (Goethe University Frankfurt)

“Predicting the Size-Based Growth of Companies Across the Global Market”

Ruyi Tao (Beijing Normal University), Jiang Zhang (Beijing Normal University), Veronica R. Cappelli (IESE Business School), Marcus J. Hamilton (University of Texas at San Antonio), Geoffrey B. West (Santa Fe Institute) & Christopher P. Kempes (Santa Fe Institute)

“The Internal Dimensions of Growing Organizations: Activity Scale, Scope, and Startup Performance”

Constantin Prox (INSEAD/SKEMA)

Session 2: Building the Foundations – Organizational Architecture, Capabilities, and Human Capital for Scalability

“Constructing Scalability: A Process Theory of Anticipatory Organizational Architecting”

Sarah Bohan (Select Strategies, Dublin), Jonathan Levie (University of Galway) & Josephine Igoe (University of Galway)

“Engineering Business Model Scalability: A Process Model”

Erkko Autio (Imperial College Business School) & Llewellyn Thomas (University of Sydney Business School)

“The Hidden Work of Scaling: How Collective Toolmaking Recalibrates Coordination in Venture Transitions”

Laure Marty (ESCP Business School)

“When Autonomy Backfires: Adverse Selection in Startup Recruitment”

Saerom (Ronnie) Lee (The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) & Reuben Hurst (Smith School of Business, University of Maryland)

Session 3: Scaling Pathways – Business Models, Positioning, and Strategic Timing

“The Enabling Role of Recombinant Business Model Innovation in Scaling”

Ann-Sophie Kowalewski (IESE Business School) & Christoph Zott (IESE Business School)

“Beyond Optimal Distinctiveness: Explaining Divergent Venture Scaling Paths in Nascent Markets”

Thomas Standaert (Ghent University), Xavier Walthoff-Borm (VLAIO, HOGENT and Ghent University), Elke Hubeau (Ghent University) & Petra Andries (Ghent University)

“Beyond ‘Scalable by Default’: A Multi-Level View on International Scaling of Digital Firms”

Julia Baranova (Univali, Brazil), Irina Mihailova (University of Eastern Finland) & Dorota Piaskowska (University College Dublin)

“Timing the Ascent: Open-Source Software and the Decision to Start Scaling”

Jabar Torkaman (Esade) & Dimo Ringov (Esade)

Practitioner Panel

Ana Maiques, CEO @ Neuroelectrics
Bjorn Kijl, Co-founder & CEO @ Kingfisher Capital
Laure Marty, Operating Partner @ Quarkslab, Chief People Officer @ Swan & PayFit
Elena Bou, Co-Founder, Board Member & Innovation Director @ InnoEnergy
Marta Antunez, Investment Director, @ Wayra, General Manager Spain @ Ulule, and Co-founder & Co-CEO @ ChicPlace

Session 4: Sensemaking, Framing, and Coordination in Scaling Ventures

“Mind the Gap: Internal and External Frames in Scaling Entrepreneurial Firms”

Odhran McIntaggart (IE Business School, IE University), Christina Kyprianou (IE Business School, IE University) & Kieran Conroy (Queen’s University Belfast)

“From Out-of-Sync to In-Sync Scaling: A Process Model of Synchronisation”

Vladimira Mihaylova (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University), Tom J.M. Mom (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University) & Justin J.P. Jansen (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University)

“Frame-Driven Collision: How Scaling Frames Prevent Growth in Informal Markets”

Kabir M. Joshi (Bayes Business School)

“Building Scalability as a Dynamic Capability in Digital Startups”

Nicolaas van Disseldorp (Tilburg University)

Session 5: Scaling in Context – Decisions, Sustainability, Threats, and Wellbeing

“Building Decision Capacity to Scale in High-Growth Ventures”

Bisan Abdulkader (LUISS Guido Carli) & Fabrizio Germani (Strategic Analysis)

“Scaling of Sustainable Business Models”

Yuanyuan Cheng (University of Eastern Finland) & Irina Mihailova (University of Eastern Finland)

“Scaling Under Threat: How Rigidity Responses Condition Scaling”

Jakobus Cilliers (Esade) & Dimo Ringov (Esade)

“Sick Leave in Scale-ups: A Gender-Inequality Paradox”

Mohamed Genedy (Stockholm School of Economics), Johan Wiklund (Syracuse University), Arnold B. Bakker (Erasmus University Rotterdam & University of Johannesburg) & Karin Hellerstedt (Jönköping International Business School)

Conference Practical Information

Plan your visit to the ESI Conference in Barcelona, Spain

1 Getting to/from the venue from Barcelona Airport: - Taxi / Ride‑hail (door‑to‑door) ~12–25 min depending on traffic. Typical fares are ~€30–40.

- Metro (fast + predictable, 1 change): From Aeroport T1/T2, take Metro L9 Sud to Zona Universitària. Change to L3 (green) to Palau Reial (1 stop). Walk ~10 minutes up Av. d’Esplugues (or take bus V5/63 two stops).

- Aerobús (express bus to the center) + Metro: Aerobús A1/A2 from T1/T2 to Plaça Espanya (or Plaça Universitat / Plaça Catalunya). Change to Metro L3 (green) to Palau Reial. Runs every 5–10 minutes, 24/7; online/app or on‑site ticket purchase available; contactless/mobile accepted.
2 Moving around in Barcelona: The metro + bus network is dense, frequent, and usually the quickest way to get around. Metro runs ~05:00–24:00 (Sun–Thu), to 02:00 (Fri), and all night (Sat). [tmb.cat]

From the venue area:
- To city center (Plaça Catalunya / Gothic / Eixample): L3 (Palau Reial) northbound. [www.tmb.cat]
- To Sant Cugat / Vallès (if needed): FGC L12 (Reina Elisenda) → Sarrià → S1/S2 lines. [www.fgc.cat]
3 Hotel Options: Below you will find 3rd party hotel options. Barcelona can get crowded during spring and summer, so book early.