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Deep Tech Center

Turning scientific innovation into high impact solutions

Bringing business and strategic support to revolutionary, science-based innovations with the potential for high impact on business, society, and the environment, driven by disruptive technologies: Biotechnologies, AI, Quantum, Climate, Space.

Dee Tech Center HEC paris

 

About the Center

Entrepreneurship takes many forms, with the dominant startup paradigm often focusing on lean digital or software startups. However, science-based companies originate from scientific research or disruptive technological innovations and face unique challenges. These startups don't start from a blank canvas but instead must navigate a multitude of potential applications and use cases for their versatile technologies.

At the HEC Paris Deeptech Center, we recognize that scientist entrepreneurs need to stay at the forefront of their fields while acquiring essential business skills to thrive in their new roles. Our programs are specifically designed to accelerate the business acumen of this unique population.

We believe that it is not a lack of ideas, capital, or effort that hinders early-stage ventures from turning regional excellence in innovation into entrepreneurial success. Instead, it's about fostering a mindset shift and providing the right resources. By training technical founders in the fundamentals of business and user-oriented entrepreneurship, startups can accelerate the commercialization of novel innovations with significant positive climate and societal impacts.

As part of the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, the Deeptech Center enhances the business acumen of scientist entrepreneurs, externalizes the strategic decision-making process for startups, and accelerates the go-to-market strategies of corporate R&D initiatives.

Our programs are tailored to support scientist entrepreneurs and corporate R&D, ensuring a seamless transition from innovation to market success. We leverage extensive expertise and top market resources to ensure science-based companies not only succeed but lead the way in their respective fields.

By concentrating on these areas, the Deeptech Center bridges the gap between scientific innovation and market viability, helping startups and corporations alike achieve their full potential.

Our flagship programs

Creative Destruction Lab - Paris

Duration:
9 months
Language(s):
English
Next start(s):
Sep 16, 2024
Price:
0 €*
HEC Challenge Plus France
Place(s): Paris – Jouy-en-Josas Campus

HEC Challenge +

Duration:
9 months
Language(s):
French
Next start(s):
Oct 14, 2025
HEC Challenge + Dakar
Place(s): Dakar

HEC Challenge + Dakar

Duration:
9 months
Language(s):
French
Next start(s):
Oct 24, 2024
Price:
4500 €*
Place(s): Abidjan

HEC Challenge + Abidjan

Duration:
9 months
Language(s):
French
Next start(s):
Oct 03, 2024
Price:
4500 €*

Key facts

230

deep-tech startups supported

362,9M €

raised by 2023

1,1B €

raised from 2018 to 2023

40%

of startups with at least one female founder or co-founder

58%

of startups with a PhD founder

News

Group photo of six people standing next to a 'Carbon Removal' banner at a Creative Destruction Lab XPRIZE event. The individuals are smiling and wearing business attire with name badges. The banner includes logos from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and HEC Paris.
HEC Paris, through its Creative Destruction Lab (CDL-Paris), has solidified its position as a key player in the fight against climate change by joining forces with the XPRIZE Foundation and CDL Global...
HEC Challenge + Dakar et Abidjan
From February 12th to 15th, 2024, Côte d'Ivoire warmly welcomed the HEC Challenge + Dakar promotion, following the recent launch of the HEC Paris program in Senegal. Over four intense days, project...
CDL 2024 Vignette
If there's one program that's long overdue for a spotlight, it's the Creative destruction Lab (CDL). While the CDL-Paris program at HEC Paris only started back in 2021 with one stream: the Climate stream...
NFT Paris 2024 small
While the world of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) is booming, revolutionizing how we perceive the ownership and value digital works of art, only 15% of French people claim to be familiar with NFTs, according...
© Creative Destruction Lab
In April, HEC Paris began its drive to recruit 25 climate-focused ventures who will join its newly- launched Creative Destruction Lab called CDL-Paris. The eight-month early-stage program for science and...

Deep Tech Center Team

Aymeric Penven
Aymeric Penven
Executive Director
Corinne Begaud
Corinne Begaud
Program Manager
Emma Cochrane
Director of Strategic Projects
Sophia El Hajaj Gnassounou
Sophia El Hajaj Gnassounou
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Projects Manager
Edwige Migan
Edwige Migan
Program Manager
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