In partnership with CAMUS Cognac, the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship established the prestigious Babson-Camus Global Family Entrepreneurship Award to recognize highly distinguished and uniquely impactful business families that have created significant economic and social value across generations while exemplifying Babson College values.
The criteria for the award are based on achieving impact and demonstrating values-based entrepreneurship. Careful consideration is given to the demonstration of excellence in the following areas: Entrepreneurship and Economic Value Creation, Social Value Creation, and Family Value System as a Driver of Impact.
Founded in 1958 by Francisco Riberas Pampliega, the Riberas family’s entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of Gonvarri, a small metal workshop. Over the decades, his son, Francisco J. Riberas Mera and Juan María Riberas Mera,, expanded upon their father’s vision, leading to the creation of Gestamp in 1997. Today, Gestamp is a global leader in the automotive industry, specializing in the design and manufacture of innovative metal components for the world’s top car manufacturers. With operations in 24 countries, 115 production plants, and over 43,000 employees, Gestamp plays a key role in elevating Spain’s influence in the global automotive sector, exemplifying a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and responsible business practices.
Carrying forward the family legacy, Patricia and Mónica Riberas are expanding their impact beyond industrial innovation. Through Fundación Gestamp, the Riberas family actively supports education, culture, and community development initiatives. Their strong corporate governance ensures long-term stability while upholding the values of diversity, leadership, and ethical business practices.
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Cisneros is a privately held company with almost 100 years’ experience operating businesses globally. Today, the company has three divisions: Cisneros Media produces and distributes entertainment content across all platforms worldwide; Cisneros Interactive is the leading independent digital advertising company in Latin America; and Cisneros Real Estate is responsible for the strategic positioning of the company’s real estate portfolio.
The Fundación Cisneros, co-founded by Gustavo with his wife, Patty, promotes a wide range of community development, educational, and cultural programs focused on democracy and critical thinking.
The Cisneros family has a long history of embracing the transfer of leadership. In 1970, 25-year-old Gustavo assumed responsibilities for the group from his father, Diego, and led the group into a decades-long era of growth and international expansion. Similarly, in 2013, 33-year-old Adriana stepped into the CEO role. She credits the businesses her father and grandfather set up with shaping the bold thinking and strategies she and her team work on today.
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Representing his family, Ernesto Bertarelli, of B-FLEXION (formerly Waypoint Capital), is the first Babson-Camus Global Family Entrepreneurship Award recipient. B-FLEXION, is a private entrepreneurial investment firm that oversees growth-oriented operating businesses and asset managers.
The Bertarelli family also has a history of supporting life sciences and marine conservation through their Bertarelli Foundation.
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The telecommunications tower serves as a reference to the Cisneros main industry, spreading knowledge to the region, while the eye on the bottle represents all the people who did get access to knowledge through the company and the foundation’s work. The cognac inside is a blend of cognacs distilled in the 1940s and 1970s, representing Gustavo’s and Adriana’s respective generations.
For the first Babson-Camus Family Entrepreneurship Award, Cyril Camus, current head of the House of CAMUS and a Babson Alumni, commissioned a unique piece to celebrate the Bertarelli family. From life science to biotechnology, through their philanthropic initiatives in the fields of charity, health, science, sports and culture, the story and spirit of this family are a true inspiration for this piece of art.
In a highly engaging hour-long conversation with Lauri Union, Ernesto shared his vision of family entrepreneurship and the impact Babson can have through our leadership in this space.