Jordi Amat (EMBA’17): Launching a startup with ChatGPT at no cost

Jordi opposite the emblematic IESE building in NYC

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got to where you are today?

I’m from Barcelona. I studied Civil Engineering and started my career as a management consultant. I joined one of our clients (Falck) and took the opportunity to do the EMBA at IESE simultaneously. Just after graduation, I was promoted to headquarters and lived for some years in Copenhagen. Returning to Barcelona, I transitioned from the corporate world to startups, taking on several director of operations roles at Glovo, Omnipresent, and Biome Makers. Recently, I launched my own startup: Lemondate.app.

How did IESE’s EMBA program contribute to your journey as an entrepreneur?

I didn’t expect the EMBA to lead me to entrepreneurship, nor did I consider the ROI that IESE would bring to my career. I wanted it as an experience, an opportunity to pamper myself with the best business education and be around like-minded fellows. While there, my ambition to found a business became a strong inner drive; just waiting for the right time to emerge.

You’ve had a very busy and eclectic journey so far; would you do anything differently if you were to start all over again?

I’d maybe speed up the work of accepting oneself and escaping the need to prove anything. When you realize you’re more than enough and take control, it’s easier to focus on what matters most, embrace the journey, and inspire others.

Tell us about your new venture.

I’ve just launched 🍋 Lemondate.app, an app exclusive to private events or groups. Each event or group is owned by a host, and their guests match with other guests. Here’s the best thing: I’ve used ChatGPT to make it happen, creating it in under a month without any programming knowledge or costs.

Innovation requires moving away from traditional paths, how would you encourage out-of-the-box thinking in business?

I’d suggest getting rid of the stigma of failing or being wrong. Just say it, test it, do it. Have strong convictions, and drive actions, but be ready to change your mindset or adapt to headwinds because these times will come. Learn and try again.

Looking ahead, what do you believe the key trends shaping innovation and AI will be in the near future?

While AI holds incredible potential for innovation and productivity, it can also lure people into a world of immediateness and low effort. We need to embrace this technology with intelligence and foresight, so working together as a society to navigate its potential pitfalls will be key.

How has the IESE entrepreneurship ecosystem supported your journey?

IESE is like a good old friend. We may not see each other for a couple of years, but they’re there when you need them. I want to thank Professor Mª Julia Prats, who taught me entrepreneurship back in 2017. I also appreciate the support of Mathieu Carenzo and Mauricio Prieto, who’ve helped me through their social media platforms and invited me to give a session at IESE’s Summer Entrepreneurship Experience, where I had the chance to motivate and inspire students to use AI in an intelligent and efficient way. And of course, the class of IESE EMBA’17 and other IESE folks who have flooded me with suggestions, clients, and investors.

As a business leader turned entrepreneur, you may have experienced a setback or two. What advice would you give to current IESE students or anyone considering the entrepreneurship route?

Focus on your clients and address real needs. Start lean but maintain a steady pace. Leverage GPT. Pilot your product, and then think big. The difference between success and failure is 1% idea or strategy and 99% execution. Don’t be afraid of others doing the same; learn from them. Go for it!

Now, for the speed round:

What do you do in your free time?
Mostly sports and adventure (I’m an Ironman finisher), and also teaching, reading, writing, and cooking.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be? 
I sleep little, run fast, and love strongly.

What are you reading, watching, or listening to these days?
The Creativity Code, Brave New World, La Realidad no Existe, La Muerte contada por un Sapiens a un Neandertal, and Freakonomics. They inspired me to publish: Running Fast, Walking Slow.

Something that makes you happy.
Long hugs, and ice cream!

Favorite place?
A BBQ with friends, or a sunset by the sea.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in life so far?
Be kind, also to yourself. And embrace the journey!

Thank you, Jordi, for sharing your experiences!

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