On June 27, 2016, EY and the Research Center for Entrepreneurial Initiative (CiiE) announced a long-term alliance to promote the creation of high-impact companies through original, cutting-edge knowledge creation for entrepreneurs. EY will now be the official sponsor of the CiiE initiative, supporting the Center in its promotion of research on business and entrepreneurship.
The partnership was made official during a press conference hosted by IPADE and attended by important players in the Mexican entrepreneurship space. Paulo Tort, Director of Corporate Communications at IPADE, welcomed the attendees and introduced the representatives of IPADE and EY: Rafael Gómez Nava, Dean at IPADE; José Antonio Dávila, Director of the CiiE; Francisco Álvarez del Campo, President and Executive Director of EY Mexico & Central America; and Guadalupe Castañeda, Strategic Growth Markets Partner at EY Mexico & Central America.
Dean Gómez Nava expressed IPADE’s excitement regarding the alliance, stating,“We’re convinced that this alliance will have a great impact in Mexico. Entrepreneurs, and the work that they do, are fundamental for the social and economic development of the country. We’re very proud, because we believe that [this alliance] represents two institutions with strong identities and strong values that are coming together to strengthen the business community in Mexico.
[Together] we will create research content that is valuable and relevant to the entrepreneurial community with the ultimate purpose of improving business practices. We believe that this will be very positive for Mexico’s development.”
On behalf of EY, Francisco Álvarez del Campo added, “We are very pleased because we’ve found a strategic partner in IPADE. [This alliance] will allow us to focus our efforts and initiatives to develop a better business environment here in Mexico and in the rest of the world.”
“Entrepreneurs are very important in our society,” said José Antonio Dávila, Director of the CiiE. “The CiiE dedicates itself to studying the role of the entrepreneur with the hopes of inspiring people that are just starting their companies, those that are developing their companies, and even entrepreneurs that are involved in well-established family businesses. The impact that the CiiE currently has will be amplified by the support from EY, and will have an even greater impact on the business community.”
To formalize the partnership, Dean Gómez Nava and Mr. Álvarez del Campo signed a Letter of Intent on behalf of IPADE and EY, respectively. In a country where only 0.43% of GDP is invested in research (compared to an OECD average of 2.40%) and only 30% of companies survive for five years or more, this partnership will provide badly needed support and funding for research in Mexico.
The morning’s press conference was preceded by a private breakfast and followed by presentations from Emilio J. Díaz Romero, Partner and Client & Market Director at EY and José Antonio Dávila, CiiE Director, on the ‘Multiplier Effect of the CiiE/EY Alliance on the Business Environment”, and from Xavier López Ancona, Founder & President of KidZania, on ‘Building the Business Environment in Mexico’.
