Celebrating the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship

Ernesto Bertarelli speaks at a podium
Listen

For Ernesto Bertarelli ’89, family entrepreneurship is less about the business itself and more about the family and its dynamics.

His vision and his experience—as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who currently runs B-FLEXION and, with his sister and mother, the Bertarelli Foundation—have inspired and driven Babson College to advance the field of family entrepreneurship.

Bertarelli returned to Babson’s Wellesley campus Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Ralph Z. and Charlotte R. Sorenson Atrium at Babson Commons to formally dedicate the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship and to celebrate his and his family’s generous commitment and support of Babson.

“Even though I haven’t stepped foot on campus for quite some time, my heart has never left,” Bertarelli said. “Babson really prepared me for what was to come.”

In his remarks, Bertarelli spoke about Babson’s impact on him and his transition as the third generation of his family’s pharmaceutical business. “We were in some ways fortunate that our transition was forced,” he said. “Because of all the things I’ve learned at Babson, the one thing I was not prepared for was the dynamics that can exist between family members.”

A man and a woman together cut a ceremonial ribbon
Ernesto Bertarelli ’89 (right)—with assistance from President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD (left) and Lauri Union, the Nulsen Family Executive Director of the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship—officially cuts the ribbon at the dedication ceremony. (Photo: Laurie Swope)

Bertarelli, who received the inaugural Babson-Camus Global Family Entrepreneurship Award last year, specifically credited Lauri Union, the Nulsen Family Executive Director of the Bertarelli Institute, for understanding and promoting that importance in family entrepreneurship. “I thank you, Lauri, because you’re basically the reason why we are opening this institute today,” he said.

President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD also emphasized the institute’s focus on family relationships, thanks to Bertarelli’s transformational gift. “It is about families’ perspectives and growth and the opportunities they pursue together,” he said. “We want this work to be sustainable, innovative, and far-reaching, and Ernesto’s vision and support is essential to making that happen. It allows us to invest in programming and research and make an impact on entrepreneurial families well into the future.”

Bertarelli, who was inducted into Babson’s Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs® in 2008, emphasized the critical role that the Bertarelli Institute can play in advancing Babson’s entrepreneurial reputation.

“Now, with this institute, you have the possibility to … continue to lead in entrepreneurship, adding another layer to what you’ve done so well for me,” he said. “So, thank you very much for your time, patience and dedication in teaching me a few things that were very useful.”

Posted in Community

More from Community »

Latest Stories

Warren Buffett
Buffett Retires: Babson Professors Highlight Lessons from a Historic Transition Warren Buffett’s retirement is more than a milestone, Babson thought leaders say. It’s also a masterclass in thoughtful succession and cultural continuity.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
May 30, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

Zainabou Thiam ’28 sits at a table selling products to waiting customers
Paying Homage to One’s Ancestors Through Entrepreneurship Zainabou Thiam ’28 was raised in the values of Senegal. With the help of Babson, she’s growing her venture, Sunu Body, an African-inspired skin care and wellness brand.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
May 29, 2025

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership

The champion tennis players pose for a photo with their trophies alongside their coaches
Repeat Champs: Babson’s Doubles Team Nets Second Tennis National Title Olivia Soffer ’25 and Matia Cristiani ’26 captured their second consecutive NCAA Division III doubles national championship in women’s tennis.
By
May 28, 2025

Posted in Community