What AESE Business School does

AESE Business School is a Portuguese private, non-profit executive education institution founded in 1980 as the first business school in Portugal. Headquartered in Lisbon with a recently inaugurated second campus in Porto, AESE specializes in executive education and management training for senior executives, C-suite leaders, healthcare administrators, public-sector managers, and family-business owners. Its core product portfolio is anchored by the AESE Executive MBA delivered in partnership with IESE Business School, complemented by senior executive programs (PADE, PDE, PGL), sectoral programs (healthcare/PADIS/GLS/CRI, energy/AMEG, agribusiness/GAIN, public administration/PADIP, social organizations/GOS, sustainable mobility/GSM), specialized programs (Family Business Leadership, OSA women leadership, Summer School), and a growing short-program portfolio covering AI, cybersecurity, ESG, and automation. The school also sells tailored corporate training programs directly to enterprises such as EDP, Jerónimo Martins, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Fidelidade, and CUF Saúde.

The school's pedagogy centers on the Case Method (inspired by Harvard Business School and IESE Business School), supplemented by proprietary Serious Games and management simulations, with case studies contributed to the ECCH global case repository. AESE operates the MyAESE Moodle-based learning platform and hosts an exclusive Forum PADIS Online community for healthcare alumni. Revenue is generated through tuition fees on long-duration programs (subscription/recurring model), one-time fees for short programs, and professional-services pricing for custom corporate programs. Pricing ranges from approximately €600 for short programs to €6,900+ for multi-year sectoral programs, with early-bird and alumni/partner discounts, plus a free forum tier (freemium).

AESE holds EFMD, AMBA, and AACSB accreditations, is a UN Global Compact signatory, and is DGERT-certified as a Portuguese training provider. Its leadership includes founder and Emeritus Chairman José Ramalho Fontes, Secretary-General Agostinho Abrunhosa, Academic Council President Adrián Caldart, and a faculty blend of academic professors and senior industry practitioners. International exposure is delivered through IESE-affiliated international weeks in Barcelona, Madrid, New York, and Tokyo.

Name

AESE Business School

Legal name

AESE Business School

Website

https://aese.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AESE Business School, founded in 1980 as Portugal's first business school, is a Lisbon-based non-profit executive education institution serving senior executives, healthcare leaders, and family-business owners through its IESE-partnered Executive MBA, sectoral programs, and custom corporate training delivered across Lisbon and Porto campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business and Secretarial Schools (611410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

MBA & Executive MBA Programs (EDAHAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN), Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI)

Keywords

• Executive education programs
• Business school training
• Case method teaching
• Leadership development programs
• Corporate custom training

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Education Programs: Tuition fees from long-duration executive programs including Executive MBA, PADE, PDE, PGL, and sector-specific programs targeting senior executives and business leaders in Portugal
2. Short Programs: Shorter intensive programs ranging from single-day to multi-day workshops covering specific business topics like negotiation, public speaking, cybersecurity, and AI
3. Corporate Custom Programs: Tailored training programs created for companies seeking to develop talent and competencies of their teams, sold directly to enterprise clients
4. Healthcare Management Programs: Specialized programs for healthcare sector including PADIS, GLS, and CRI targeting health institution leaders

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AESE Business School delivers executive education programs for senior business leaders in Portugal, including the flagship AESE Executive MBA (in partnership with IESE Business School), senior executive programs (PADE, PDE, PGL), sector-specific programs for healthcare, energy, public administration, and other industries, short programs on emerging business topics (AI, cybersecurity, ESG, automation), and tailored corporate training programs. Programs use the proprietary Case Method pedagogy, Serious Games, and simulations, delivered at Lisbon and Porto campuses with online components and international weeks at IESE campuses globally.

Product overview

AESE Business School offers a comprehensive portfolio of executive education programs structured as a multi-level platform. The core offering includes the flagship Executive MBA in partnership with IESE Business School, complemented by senior executive programs (PADE, PDE, PGL) for different management levels. Sectoral programs address specific industries including healthcare (PADIS, GLS, CRI), energy (AMEG), agribusiness (GAIN), social organizations (GOS), and public administration (PADIP). The school provides specialized programs like Summer School for young professionals and Family Business Leadership Program, alongside short programs covering emerging topics such as AI applications, cybersecurity, automation, sustainability/ESG, and marketing with AI. Custom corporate training programs are available for organizational-specific needs. The digital infrastructure includes MyAESE, a Moodle-based learning management system, and the Forum PADIS Online community for healthcare alumni.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AESE Executive MBA Flagship executive MBA program delivered in partnership with IESE Business School, featuring international weeks and case study methodology for senior executives pursuing advanced management credentials.
• PADE | Programa de Alta Direção de Empresas Senior executive program for top-level directors focusing on strategic decision-making and corporate governance.
• PDE | Programa de Direção de Empresas Company direction program developing management and leadership competencies for business leaders.
• PGL | Programa de Gestão e Liderança Management and leadership program focused on developing practical leadership skills for managers.
• EDGE | Global Executive Program Global executive program for C-level executives focusing on international business strategy.
• Family Business Leadership Program Program addressing leadership challenges in family-owned businesses, governance, and succession planning.
• Custom Programs for Companies Tailored corporate training programs designed to develop talent and competencies for specific organizations; sold directly to enterprise clients.
• PADIS | Programa de Alta Direção de Instituições de Saúde Senior management program for healthcare institutions addressing leadership challenges in the health sector.
• GLS | Gestão e Liderança em Saúde Healthcare management and leadership program with 120 hours of in-person training for intermediate health managers.
• CRI | Estratégias de Gestão Integrated Responsibility Centers management program focused on hospital management and organizational strategies.
• AMEG | Advanced Management in Energy Advanced energy sector management program developed in partnership with the Portuguese Energy Association (Associação Portuguesa da Energia).
• GAIN | Direção de Empresas da Cadeia Agroalimentar Agribusiness management program focusing on the food supply chain sector.
• PADIP | Programa de Alta Direção de Instituições Públicas Senior public sector management program developed with IESE Business School's Center for Public Leadership and Government (CPLG). Pricing: €6,900 (+ IVA), includes in-person training in Lisbon, online continuity sessions, and annual forum access.
• GOS | Gestão das Organizações Sociais Social organizations management program for leaders in the social economy sector.
• OSA | Líderes no Feminino Women leadership program designed to empower female executives and professionals.
• GSM | Gestão Sustentável da Mobilidade Sustainable mobility management program addressing transportation and logistics leadership.
• DEEP | Online Leadership Program Online leadership development program for middle management professionals.
• Summer School Summer program for young university students introducing business management concepts. Starts July 6.
• Automação Eficaz Short program covering automation strategies using RPA and AI to improve operational efficiency, reducing 40-60% of task execution time.
• Cibersegurança Estratégica Strategic cybersecurity program addressing security governance and organizational resilience. Pricing: €600 general rate.
• Marketing & Artificial Intelligence as One Short program integrating AI tools with marketing strategy for business growth and personalization. Pricing: €960 early bird, €1,200 general rate; third registration free for same company.
• ChatGPT para Executivos: Ferramentas e Aplicações Executive-focused program on practical ChatGPT applications for business decision-making.
• Desafios de Sustentabilidade e ESG Sustainability and ESG program covering environmental, social, and governance implementation strategies.
• MyAESE Learning Platform Moodle-based learning management system providing online access to course materials, resources, and the AESE alumni community.
• Fórum PADIS Online Exclusive online forum for healthcare program alumni featuring debates, presentations, and best-practice sharing. Free with prior registration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 9,500 executives have graduated from AESE programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IESE Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAESE is an associated school of IESE Business School (part of University of Navarra), providing access to IESE faculty, case studies, methodologies, and global network. Programs include shared curriculum and international weeks at IESE campuses in Barcelona, Madrid, and New York.
• Harvard Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAESE's case method teaching methodology is inspired by the Harvard Business School approach, with case studies integrated into the learning experience.
• Center for Public Leadership and Government (CPLG) - IESEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with IESE's CPLG for the PADIP program, providing international perspectives on public administration and leadership.
• Associação Portuguesa da EnergiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for AMEG (Advanced Management in Energy) program targeting energy sector executives.
• Cruz Vermelha PortuguesaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with CRI program featuring guest speakers from Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa leadership.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Católica Lisbon SBE: Direct Portuguese competitor offering Executive MBA, executive education, and custom corporate programs to senior executives; triple-crown accredited and a comparable Lisbon-headquartered business school.
• Porto Business School: Portugal-based business school (University of Porto) offering Executive MBA and executive education programs in the same Portuguese market, competing directly with AESE for the same senior-executive pool.
• IESE Business School: AESE's anchor strategic partner (associated school) and the closest direct comparable: Spanish-headquartered global business school offering Executive MBA, PADE-equivalent senior programs, and case-method teaching to a similar executive audience.
• Nova School of Business and Economics: Leading Portuguese business school offering Executive MBA, executive short programs, and custom corporate training — competing with AESE for both individual executives and corporate training budgets in Lisbon.

Broad incumbents

• London Business School: Global top-ranked provider of Executive MBA, Sloan, and senior executive programs; competes with AESE for internationally mobile Portuguese executives and corporate custom-program budgets.
• INSEAD: Global top-ranked business school offering Executive MBA, Executive Education, and custom programs; competes with AESE for senior-executive mindshare and corporate L&D budgets, particularly via its European campuses.
• ESADE Business School: Barcelona-based global business school with Executive MBA and senior executive programs; comparable case-method pedagogy, Iberian footprint, and target audience of senior executives.
• IMD Business School: Swiss-based global business school specializing in executive education and leadership development; comparable high-touch senior-executive programs and custom corporate offerings targeting C-suite.
• Harvard Business School — Executive Education: Originator of the case-method pedagogy AESE emulates; global destination for senior executives and the premium benchmark AESE positions against in its executive education marketing.

Regional players

• ISCTE Executive Education: Portuguese university-based executive education provider offering management and leadership programs targeting mid-to-senior managers, with similar sectoral and short-program offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aesebschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aesebusinessschool

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AESE Business School