Gilles Raynaud
I was born in Geneva, Switzerland, to an Italian mother and a French father. Growing up, I had the opportunity to live in seven different countries, which exposed me to a wide range of cultures, perspectives and languages from a very young age. This international upbringing played a fundamental role in shaping my adaptability, open-mindedness and ability to build meaningful relationships across cultures. These skills have proven invaluable both personally and professionally.
“New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem played a critical role in my development.”
Tell us about your interests and background.
I’m a Swiss entrepreneur with a background shaped by living across different countries and cultures. Living across multiple countries taught me that communication goes far beyond language; it includes cultural awareness, empathy and context. Being able to “speak” different cultures shaped my identity as a true global citizen and strengthened my ability to navigate diverse environments. In business, this perspective has been invaluable, as meaningful progress is ultimately driven by trust, relationships and mutual understanding.
I studied business administration at IE Business School and later completed the Master of Science in Global Business & Sustainability at IENYC as part of the 3+1 program. My interests sit at the intersection of finance, emerging technologies and impact-driven entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on building practical financial infrastructure for underserved markets.
Have you always been interested in entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship has always been central to my ambitions. I’m motivated by the responsibility that comes with taking risks to create sustainable, long-term value, particularly through unconventional solutions. My first startup attempt in 2021 was a defining learning experience. Despite strong conviction, the venture ultimately failed, even after multiple relaunches. Those failures provided invaluable lessons in execution, resilience and humility.
Co-founding K!BO alongside my partner, Daniel Ohnes, marked a turning point. His understanding of financial challenges in his home country of Bolivia, particularly around cross-border payments, foreign exchange and access to credit, complemented my own experience. With the support of our professor, Íñigo Cavestany, who believed in the project from day one, we were able to assemble the right technical team and iterate relentlessly.
After numerous pivots and setbacks, milestones began to follow: launching the first version of the platform, onboarding initial clients, executing transactions and witnessing tangible social impact. Seeing how our solution addresses fragmented financial services in developing economies has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the journey.
How did studying at IENYC expand your opportunities and networks?
The MS in Global Business & Sustainability offered a unique combination of academic rigor and real-world relevance. Learning directly from current and former industry leaders provided insights that extended far beyond textbooks, particularly in understanding how investors evaluate impact, scalability and long-term sustainability.
Beyond the classroom, New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem played a critical role in my development. Attending industry events across crypto, financial services and startups enabled me to build meaningful connections that translated into partnerships and early opportunities for K!BO. Consistent networking helped me gain clarity on where founders were innovating, where corporates were investing and where capital was flowing.
Additionally, as a co-founder of the IENYC Venture Capital & Private Equity Club, which was the first student-led club of its kind at IENYC, I helped organize events that connected students with investors and operators. Collaborating with organizations such as Stanford ASES and the IE University Private Equity & Venture Capital Club helped extend our reach and solidified my engagement with the broader investment ecosystem in New York.
Which aspects of the IENYC program were most influential for you?
One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the close interaction between faculty and industry practitioners. Guest speakers offered practical insights on topics ranging from private equity and sovereign wealth funds to transition finance, compliance and AI, and often remained accessible beyond the classroom.
The program’s applied nature was equally influential. For example, participating in a consulting project with a publicly listed payment service provider allowed us to work directly with senior executives to improve conversion rates and lead generation. These experiences reinforced the importance of aligning financial performance, technological innovation and sustainable impact.
We were also challenged to apply our learning to create real-world impact through our Capstone Projects. My project analyzed the design and viability of my startup, K!BO. My main objectives were to understand market pain points, assess regulatory feasibility, design a risk-aware operating model and evaluate whether such infrastructure could deliver both commercial sustainability and measurable social impact. The project was challenging and transformative: the complexity involved forced me to be disciplined and realistic in my approach. Overall, it reshaped how I think about impact-driven financial innovation.
How has your experience at IENYC shaped your goals and purpose?
I would say that IENYC has played an important role in shaping not only my professional trajectory but also my values as a founder. The sense of community, the emphasis on responsible leadership and the encouragement to build solutions with purpose continue to guide my work today. I remain deeply grateful for the experience and look forward to contributing back to the IE University ecosystem in the years to come.