The recent spell of sunshine in London has almost convinced us that spring is here! spring feels a sense of renewal—perfect timing as we turn our attention to fresh ideas and bold ventures in this month’s newsletter!
Our focus is on entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly with the Launchpad programme coming to London at the end of the month. This exciting programme is all about nurturing the next generation of HEC entrepreneurs, and we invite you to be part of it. Join us for our London Grand Pitch Night, on Wednesday 26th March, a Dragons’ Den event, where ambitious founders will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts, in a fierce and fun competition! If you’re interested in innovation and disruptive technology for your company, we’d love to hear from you—please reach out to the team.
At HEC Paris, innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of our mission to shape the business leaders of tomorrow. Through the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, we support groundbreaking ventures, connect corporate leaders with cutting-edge ideas, and help businesses navigate the ever-evolving landscape of disruptive technologies. Whether you are an entrepreneur, an executive, or an investor, HEC Paris provides multiple avenues to engage with and benefit from our dynamic ecosystem.
HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute (IEI) Ranked #4 in Europe’s Leading Startup Hub in the Financial Times
"This ranking confirms our commitment to fostering a diverse, high-impact startup ecosystem, positioning us as a reference in Europe," says Inge Kerkloh-Devif, Senior Executive Director of HEC Paris IEI.
In-depth research and founder surveys were conducted on 3,000 startup hubs across Europe to meticulously compile the Top 150. This recognition highlights the impact of Europe’s top incubators and accelerators, based on entrepreneur satisfaction from 2018 to 2023.
In 2024, the Institute supported 594 startups, 39% of which were founded or co-founded by women. Over the past five years, startups from the HEC ecosystem have raised €16.4 billion, with an 86% three-year survival rate. 16 unicorns have emerged, 14 still active, including Doctolib, Qonto, Mirakl, and the most recent addition last month: Loft Orbital.
BRAVO to HEC's IEI teams for this remarkable collective achievement!
Creative Destruction Lab: Scaling Breakthrough Ventures: HEC Paris is the only business school in France to host a Creative Destruction Lab(CDL) site, a global program designed to accelerate the growth of deep-tech and science-based startups. CDL pairs early-stage ventures with seasoned mentors—investors, business leaders, and domain experts—who guide them in refining their strategies, achieving key milestones, and attracting investment. The program has already helped numerous startups scale their technologies in fields such as AI, quantum computing, fintech, and health tech. Stay tuned – they will be in London soon!
Corporate Programs: Driving Innovation from Within - Innovation isn't just for startups. Through our tailored corporate programs, HEC Paris helps established businesses harness entrepreneurial thinking and cultivate an intrapreneurial mindset among their teams. Our programs, co-developed with leading companies, provide executives and their innovation teams with insights into emerging technologies and business model innovations. Learn more.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the HEC Paris Launchpad serves as an intense, hands-on accelerator that transforms innovative ideas into fully operational businesses. The HEC Launchpad is a key pillar of HEC Paris’s commitment to fostering high-impact entrepreneurship. This year, for the first time, the cohort includes entrepreneurs joining the programme from war-torn countries. Join us for our annual Launchpad Grand Pitch Night in London! This special evening will feature 6 finalists who have been chosen from 30 teams by a panel of expert judges. These finalists will pitch their startup projects in front of a jury of entrepreneurs, investors, and an audience of eager supporters. REGISTER HERE.
What can you do from London?
London is a powerhouse of innovation, home to world-class startups, corporate R&D hubs, and cutting-edge investment firms. From London, you can:
Introduce your colleagues working in innovation, venture capital, or disruptive technologies to our team and programs.
HEC IN THE UK EVENTS
HEC UK Wine Club: Wine Tasting with Domaine Faiveley
Wednesday 12th March - 7:30pm
IN PERSON
The HEC UK Wine Club is very honoured to welcome Matthieu Luneau, Export Director for the prestigious Domaine Faiveley.
For over seven generations, the Faiveley family has established itself as the largest classified wine producer of the Côte de Nuits. With roots dating back to 1825 (yes, the Domaine is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025), the superb 125 hectare Domaine produces 13 different Grands Crus and 25 Premiers Cru, including in the world renowned Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges and Mercurey villages.
We're often stuck in our to-do lists and they can feel neverending and all consuming. Worse, they stop us from making the big changes that we so often want.
We feel "too busy" to even think about it. The to-do lists keep getting in the way.
Luckily, it's not a lot of time that we need, it's simply a different kind of "to do" list.
Who do you need TO BE to make the changes you want? Your "to be" list is so much more powerful than your "to do" list.
Students x Alumni: Networking Evening with Data Science for Business Students
Monday 24th March - 6:30pm
IN PERSON
HEC in the UK and the Master in Data Science for Business from HEC Paris are delighted to invite you to meet and greet the next generation of HEC data scientists students!
HEC Life Project Webinar: Shine at your next job interview
Tuesday 1st April - 11:30am
ONLINE
Preparing for an interview? Give yourself the best chance of success! Whether you want to get promoted or land a job in another organization, the interview is usually a key step. However, depending on the context and the interviewer, being able to answer in a compelling way to every question is a challenge.
AI and the future of consulting - Webinar series - #1 the rise of GenAI and its impacts on methods and tools used by consultants
Tuesday 8th April - 5:30pm
ONLINE
The Consulting & Coaching Club from HEC Alumni in Paris is pleased to invite you to its next series of lectures «Impacts of AI on consulting and consultants». This first one will address the short and medium term impacts of GenAI on Methods and tools used by consultants and their ways of working. We invite you to come and reflect on these issues together, benefiting from the best expertise and feedback from players already involved in this transformation.
HEC in the UK and the Emerging Leaders Track EMBA of HEC Paris are delighted to invite you to meet and greet their new EMBA cohort. 30 EMBA participants, specializing in sustainability and innovation will be in London in April. Their trip is devoted to networking, company visits, conferences and masterclasses and they are eager to meet with our MBA/EMBA Alumni in London!
HEC Fondation x Laidlaw Elevate Event at the UK House to celebrate International Women Day!
This week, over 70 Laidlaw Foundation women scholars from partner institutions such as HEC Paris, IE Business School, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, London Business School and Trinity College Dublin gathered at the HEC UK House in London. An inspiring day filled with workshops, meetings, and meaningful exchanges. These trailblazing women will be shaping the future – and the movement is already underway! A huge thank you to the Laidlaw Foundation for funding scholarships for these talented women from diverse backgrounds and cultures and allowing them to follow their dreams and dream big!
La French Tech London partners with HEC in the UK to host its first ever power breakfast dedicated to women founders
Wednesday 2nd April from 8:30am to 12:30pm
You are a woman founder beyond the idea stage
You are actively working on growing your business
You are looking for funding, investment strategies, or pitching support
Remember you HEC Admissions Interview? Now it's your turn! Do you recall your admissions interview for HEC Paris? How about experiencing it from the other side of the table? We’re looking for HEC Alumni volunteers to help with Master in Management admissions interviews—an opportunity to connect with the next generation of HEC students (and trust us, they are impressive!). All interviews are in English & online—join from anywhere in the world! You’ll be part of a two-person jury with full training provided. If you can give a few hours or a full day, contact Julia GOTLIBOWSKI and help shape the future of HEC Paris!
JOIN HEC ALUMNI & TRANSFORM YOUR SUPPORT INTO OPPORTUNTIES!
What if an amazing opportunity landed in your lap? Join our network, and experience that “click”! By becoming a member, you gain access to:
A global network of 80,000 alumni
Over 1,000 events annually
Career support through HEC Life Project
Subscription to HEC Stories magazine
Your membership fuels our mission and supports fellow alumni through our solidarity fund. Together, we can make a difference! Join us today!
Increase the impact of your team meetings at the HEC UK House!
Looking to elevate your next board meeting or team offsite? Our new corporate offers combine a premium venue with curated content designed to inspire and engage your teams!
We offer
a top-quality venue, centrally located in Covent Garden, branded by HEC, with all the amenities for a seamless event
with tailored content: a full-day facilitated session or a 2-hour workshop led by expert coaches handpicked by HEC.
Transform your meetings into impactful experiences—book now for a day that truly delivers!
Participate in enriching HEC students' life by welcoming students during their learning expeditions in London, sharing your experiences and challenges, as well as hiring or mentoring new talents!
Join a supportive and team of 40 active volunteers that organise 100+ events each year. Gain exclusive access to the HEC network and enjoy connecting and developing new projects with us!
Everything is possible at the HEC UK House! Whether you wish to come in the lounge in between meetings, book a meeting room, organise an event or become a corporate sponsor, get in touch with our team to discuss your next project with us!
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