The Lead Innovation Tour is an annual gathering of the Stanford GSB LEAD community, hosted each year in a different global innovation hub. It provides curated access to local ecosystems while fostering meaningful connections among global leaders.

LEAD participants ONLY - current and past.

The 2026 edition will take place in Barcelona from October 7 to October 9, 2026.
An optional extra pre-event experience will be held in Madrid on October 6.

To ensure a high-quality, curated experience, participation will be limited to 100 attendees.

Participants are alumni of the Stanford GSB LEAD program ONLY.

We apply a first in policy. Those who sign up first and pay the reservation fee are the first to get a spot.

LEAD-only channels:
Workvivo: https://stanford.workvivo.us/spaces/98886/feed
Contact: info@leadinnovationtour.com to join the WhatsApp Group.

Public channels:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-innovation-tour
Website: https://leadinnovationtour.com

Day 1 – “Choose Your Adventure & The Summit” Welcome Summit featuring the Catalan Government, @22 President, and Stanford GSB Faculty Peter DeMarzo.

Day 2 – “Deep Dive & Vision” Short and Sharp Innovation stories built in the Barcelona Creative Core. Time to Reflect, Interact & Play. Engage with Barcelona’s Innovation Pulse: Track Taste. Fundació Èpica – La Fura dels Baus: How theatre, creativity, and human performance accelerate cutting-edge scientific research. Gala Dinner.

Day 3 – “Focused Exploration” Choose a specific company track- 1) Science; 2) Technology; 3) Creative Futures; across the city. Final Gala Dinner.

All participants will gather for the Welcome Summit. More info will be shared via the agenda.

Participants will join one of three thematic tracks:
● DeepTech Track (led by David)
● Bio & Pharma Track (led by Alejandro)
● Creative Future Track (led by Dominik)

Each track offers curated interactive visits and discussions tailored to its theme. Gala dinner for all participants at a great location.

Yes. Track selection will be required in advance due to capacity constraints. Selection opens in September.

Yes—an optional extra Madrid pre-track (October 6th) led by Emilie and Antonio. Activities on the theme of “Sustainability” in the morning. After lunch: time to travel to Barcelona.
Details on logistics and pricing to be shared separately. Stay updated on Workvivo!

Registration opened Friday 29 May at 8am PDT / 5pm CEST: LEAD participants.
Buy your tickets here: https://www.eventglint.com/e/barcelona/lead-innovation-tour-barcelona-2026-922580

The fee is €499.

● Curated sessions and speakers
● Company visits and immersive experiences
● Selected meals (including Welcome Dinner & Gala Dinners)
● Organized activities

Travel and accommodation are not included.

Cancellations and ‘no shows’ – refunds will only be issued for cancellations given by Tuesday, June 30 2026.

We are absorbing the Stripe processing fee. Therefore, if you cancel within the eligible refund period, the Stripe charges incurred for both the original registration and the refund transaction will be deducted from the refunded amount.

If you need to cancel, you are welcome to transfer your ticket to another LEADer. However, we will not be responsible for finding a replacement, especially for cancellations made after June 30. If you decide to cancel your ticket, please notify us at info@leadinnovationtour.com

Yes. Given the limited capacity (100 participants), early registration is strongly recommended.

Spain is part of the Schengen Area. Requirements vary by nationality.

● Schengen visa policy (European Commission)
● Spain entry requirements (Ministry of Interior)
● To request a letter, email info@leadinnovationtour.com

Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN).

Yes. Preferred rates with 2–3 selected hotels in central Barcelona are communicated via the Stanford LEAD Innovation Tour Channels on WhatsApp and Workvivo.

Recommended areas:

● Eixample (central & well connected)
● El Born / Gothic Quarter (historic & vibrant)
● Gràcia (local & relaxed)
● See updates on Workvivo.

Barcelona offers an efficient network of metro, buses, and trams operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona.

Recommended options:

● Hola Barcelona Travel Card (unlimited travel for several days)
● T-casual card (10 rides, flexible use)
● Official transport guide (TMB)

Partially. Some transfers may be organized, while many venues are centrally located or within walking distance.

Barcelona typically offers pleasant autumn conditions:

● Daytime: 20–25°C (68–77°F)
● Evening: 15–18°C (59–64°F)
● Mostly sunny with occasional light rain

● Smart casual attire
● Comfortable walking shoes
● Light jacket or blazer
● Optional formal/business attire for the gala

Yes, though the official program is reserved for LEAD participants.

Highly recommended—Barcelona offers a rich mix of culture, gastronomy, and leisure.

Official Barcelona tourism website

Contact the Stanford LEAD Innovation Tour team:

Email: info@leadinnovationtour.com
Website: https://leadinnovationtour.com/

Share them here: https://stanford.workvivo.us/spaces/98886/questions/6996

Review the notes and recording of the 20 May live session introducing the Stanford LEAD Innovation Tour in Barcelona here:
https://stanford.workvivo.us/comments/update/59782994