What's New for the Startup Launchpad in 2025?

In 2025, one of the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute's flagship program, the 'HEC Paris Startup Launchpad,' is spicing up its winning formula. By embracing entrepreneurs from highly diverse backgrounds and teaming up with the world's leading tech institute, this year's program is set to elevate the stakes. Let’s find out what is lined up this year and the transformative opportunities in store for this new cohort.

HEC Paris Startup Launchpad 2025

The HEC Paris Startup Launchpad has long been a nurturing ground for budding entrepreneurs. Well known for its curriculum that seamlessly blends theory with practice through the lean startup approach, the program is built to foster innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.

This year, the cohort has welcomed 47 startup projects spanning various sectors, including Hospitality, Silver Economy, LegalTech, Healthcare, GreenTech, and Future of Work, to name just a few. These projects are conducted by 148 students from various HEC Paris programs, including the MSc X-HEC Entrepreneurs, the MSc in Data Science & AI for Business, the Master in Sustainability & Social Innovation, and the Digital Innovation & Acceleration major. The program also welcomes students from esteemed partner institutions - NYU Stern, Paris-Saclay University, and ESA Business School - creating a melting pot of cultures and ideas.

Across 11 intensive weeks, participants will benefit from the unique program’s methodology, masterclasses, coaching sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities with seasoned industry experts. A framework that will not only equip them with pivotal skills, but ensures they're connected into global entrepreneurial ecosystems from the get-go.

> Learn more about the selection process

What’s new for the 2025 cohort?

A new cohort placed under the banner of tech innovation and social impact

As you may know, each year, a prominent figure from the HEC Paris community volunteers to represent the new cohort. This year, we are thrilled to announce that the 2025 cohort’ patron is Adrien Nussenbaum, co-founder and co-CEO of Mirakl, the French unicorn which is making waves in the e-commerce landscape. 

Before launching Mirakl in 2012, Adrien is an HEC Alumnus (H.01) who had built a remarkable career as a seasoned entrepreneur, having co-founded various ventures. His company Mirakl is now leading as the world’s first SaaS platform for marketplaces, empowering major companies to scale effectively through third-party sales.

Over ten years, Mirakl has ascended to unicorn status in France, becoming the 10th French tech unicorn, with remarkable funding rounds that reached $300 million in 2020 (Series D) and $555 million in 2021 (Series E), achieving an impressive valuation exceeding $3.5 billion.

But beyond the sphere of business, Adrien is a passionate advocate for social impact. He is the driving force behind HEC Imagine Fellows, a scholarship initiative offering a lifeline to students from war-torn countries. With the support of the HEC Foundation, the program helps refugee students become global leaders, who understand the power of business as a force for peace. 

This year, in a collaborative effort to tie this social initiative to our entrepreneurial ecosystem, HEC Paris Startup Launchpad is joining forces with HEC Imagine Fellows to launch the HEC Imagine Launchpad, opening its doors to refugee students. As a result, two women entrepreneurs are participating in the Startup Launchpad 2025 edition : Sumaia Sediqi from Afghanistan, and Kateryna Holovatska from Ukraine, both ready to rewrite their narratives through entrepreneurial opportunities. 

This initiative goes far beyond inclusivity, it is a commitment to empowerment. The two participants will integrate into ongoing team projects, gaining access to essential tools for launching and growing a business in a collaborative dynamic, while also leveraging the diverse knowledge within the cohort.
 

"I find this program very useful because it has a very strong mentorship, it gives you a sense of community, and at the same time we get to learn a lot of knowledge." 

- Sumaia Sediqi, HEC Imagine Launchpad 2025.

We are particularly proud of introducing this new dimension to the program with Adrien, which fits in with and reflects our vision of entrepreneurship: blending business acumen with social impact to create opportunities for the daring entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Speech of Adrien Nussenbaum, co-founder of unicorn Mirakl and HEC Paris Launchpad 2025 cohort patron, during the HEC Paris 2024 Graduation.

Program highlights: What's in store for this year?

Top Start With the Welcome Day

January 23 witnessed the official launch of the program with a vibrant Welcome Day, and it's not just any first day... The 148 students gathered on the HEC Paris campus to kick-off their 11 intensive weeks of entrepreneurial adventure. A meticulously curated agenda to get the ball rolling and set the pace for what's to come. On the menu? Inspiration, insights, and interaction.

• Guillaume le Dieu de Ville, executive director of the Startup Launchpad, kicked-off the day by sharing his vision of the programme, and then introduced the two refugee entrepreneurs joining the adventure thanks to the HEC Imagine Launchpad initiative.
   
• Some alumni from the 2024 cohort shared their experience of the program: Mathilde Janicot and Valentin Heuzé, co-founders of Revolty, along with Bruno Heckel, co-founder of Eledone. 
   
• Participants went through a team-building activity to mesh, learn about each other's projects, and build a strong foundation for collaboration. 
   
• The international students from our academic partnerships enjoyed lunch with several members of the HEC Foundation, who came specifically to meet and engage with them to learn more about our ecosystem and perspectives.
   
• Remi Rivas led the very first masterclass to get the participants ready to conduct +50 customer interviews during the field research phase of the program.
   
• Students enjoyed a drink with mentors and some alumni to close this first day on a high note, fostering a remarkable class spirit.

This day one on the campus buzzed with energy as students began to forge the community spirit that would be central to their entrepreneurial experience at HEC Paris.

The Design Sprint

Scheduled from February 10 to 14, the Design Sprint is one of the key features of the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad. Under the guidance of academic directors Mathias Abramovicz and Rémi Rivas, students engage in an intense week specifically focused on refining their startup ideas. This period is about exploration, iteration, and revalidation.

Through introspection and feedback from customer interviews conducted earlier in the program, students work on crystallizing their value propositions. The sprint's collaborative environment encourages blending of ideas, fostering innovative outcomes. By the end of this sprint, students will have clearer visions of their startups, ready to transition to the next stage.

London LEX and the Grand Pitch Night

As March unfolds, the excitement for the London Learning Expedition (London LEX) builds up… From March 24 to 27, participants will venture into one of the world's most dynamic entrepreneurial cities. This expedition serves as a bridge connecting these student entrepreneurs with the vibrant London startup ecosystem. The expedition itinerary includes high-level meetups with successful entrepreneurs, workshops designed to expand students' knowledge, and inspiring visits to companies. 

A key highlight of the trip is the London Grand Pitch Night, which will take place on Wednesday, March 26th, at the Curzon Soho Theatre. This high-energy event will showcase six selected projects, offering them a unique opportunity to connect with potential investors and stakeholders. For the entrepreneurs, participation represents an opportunity for exposure, but also a critical moment to validate their business ideas within an international framework, aligning them with the specific nuances of the UK market.

During these four days, students also take advantage of interactions facilitated by the HEC Paris UK House. These engagements frequently result in collaborative ventures, fostering partnerships that promise future benefits.

> Get a ticket for London Grand Pitch Night 2025

Check out last year's HEC Paris Startup Launchpad - Grand Pitch Night

Interim Pitches and the Demo Day

Throughout the program, students regularly pitch their projects to juries composed of investment funds acting as sparring partners, challenging their startups and pushing them to refine their strategies. These sessions provide invaluable feedback, helping teams strengthen their business models and sharpen their pitches.

As the program progresses, the focus shifts towards the final stretch—preparing for the Demo Day. Set for April 4, this flagship event captures the essence of the HEC Startup Launchpad experience. Only a select group of startups, chosen following the morning’s Final Pitch, earn the opportunity to take the stage and present their ventures to a distinguished panel of VCs and industry experts.

By the time they reach this milestone, these top-tier projects are primed to showcase their viability, market readiness, and scalability, positioning themselves for recognition and potential investment. After weeks of rigorous preparation, the Demo Day marks the culmination of their journey, highlighting innovation, ambition, and a clear path to market entry. 

The two winning teams are awarded a four-month incubation at the Incubateur HEC Paris, providing them with the resources and support to take their startups to the next level.

Beyond Demo Day, the journey continues

For many startups, the Launchpad is just the beginning. After the program, several teams go on to join leading incubators, including those at Station F and, notably, the Incubateur HEC Paris: in 2023, alumni from the same year’s Launchpad made up 50% of the Fall batch, and last year, five startups continued their journey there right after the Launchpad.

Located at Station F, the Incubateur HEC Paris offers tailored support to startups, helping them accelerate their growth through expert mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to an extensive entrepreneurial network as well as curated business opportunities & events. Startups can also join specialized corporate programs in partnership with L’Oréal, TotalEnergies On, and Meta, providing unique resources and industry connections to fuel their development.

Discover our corporate programs

 About HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute

The institute supports entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Through our Incubation & Acceleration, Deeptech, and Social Entrepreneurship centers, we assist students with innovative ideas, budding startups, rapidly scaling SMEs, transforming large enterprises, and social or environmental entrepreneurs to grow efficiently and with impact. Here, the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem of HEC Paris comes together to help you Make it Happen, Make it Big.

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About HEC Paris Foundation

A Transformative Impact on the HEC Startup Launchpad!

Philippe Foriel-Destezet (H.58), a Major Donor and Testator of the HEC Foundation, made a generous bequest which the Foundation, in agreement with his family and the School, has dedicated to the development of the entrepreneurial program. Thanks to the generosity of Pascal Cagni (HEC Paris MBA 86), a Major Donor of the Foundation, students from NYU Stern School of Business benefit from this unique opportunity each year.

Learn more