About the program
The HEC Challenge+ program helps creators of innovative projects with high growth potential to develop their business plans and supports them in their development. Its educational formula combines training, consulting, and personalized follow-up.
The diversity of the HEC Challenge+ network, as well as the breadth and quality of its experts, make it a unique initiative. A pioneer in training for innovative entrepreneurs, HEC Challenge+ is clearly established as the undisputed leader in its market.
HEC Challenge +
Objectives
Rely on a methodological framework to design, write, and present a business plan.
Effectively use basic project management tools
Efficiently manage your entrepreneurial project from start to finish using a practical questioning
Design a comprehensive, viable business plan based on key metrics, market analysis, a clear competitive advantage, and a relevant business model
Orally present and argue your project before investors, partners, or decision-makers to convince them of its relevance and attractiveness
The Spirit of the Program
The HEC Challenge experience also cultivates a mindset because management cannot be improvised! It entails:
- Providing you with benchmarks, reflexes, and inspiration
- Allowing you to exchange with your peers, develop a real cohort spirit, and benefit from it
- Testing the team (1 to 3 co-founders per project)
Evaluation Modalities
- Individual assessment through a quiz on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship
- Project evaluation through an oral and written pitch presentation
Program & Benefits
- 2 cohorts per year
- 24 days spread over one year (February to November or October to June)
- 8 monthly action-learning seminars
- 5 sessions on the HEC campus, 3 online sessions
- Foundational contributions (HEC professors) and practical insights (coaching + testimonials)
- Diagnostic seminars
- Management: strategy, marketing, finance, HR, etc.
- Intellectual property, investor relations, business development, negotiation, etc.
- Benefit from the teaching of HEC Paris professors
- Create a new operational network, through exchanges between participants, alumni of the CHALLENGE+ club, associated partners, and HEC Paris students
- Validate the concept of your business creation project
- Develop a solid business plan that will enable you to seek funding
- Step out of your daily routine to reflect on and work on your project
- Obtain a label recognized by many stakeholders in business creation: financiers, public organizations, etc.
Join the HEC Challenge+ adventure!
Key Figures
+1,000
startups supported
7
IPOs
1B €
raised from investors
97%
Success rate upon certification
4,7/5
Satisfaction rate
25 - 40
Participants per cohort, approximately 20 projects
Dive into the heart of the HEC Forum
The HEC Forum is the culmination of the 9-month Challenge+ program. Participants pitch their projects to experts and investors. A memorable experience that concludes the program...
Who can join?
The program is aimed at entrepreneurs with innovative and high-tech projects, specifically those who meet the following criteria:
- Being the initiator of a project (or an already established company) that is innovative in technology or services
- Being a scientist, engineer, self-taught individual, etc.
- Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit
- Leading a business project with high development potential
The program is also accessible to non-project initiators. To be eligible:
- Being a project supporter within an incubation structure
- Being employed by a company whose founders have previously participated in the program
The program is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Please contact us to discuss any additional needs or to obtain the Public Accessibility Register.
Program Fees
The market price for the Challenge+ program is €30,000.
However, HEC Paris is committed to supporting the entrepreneurship of tomorrow and deep tech. For this reason, the HEC Foundation and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute offer excellence scholarships to participants who meet the quality criteria, covering most of the training cost with the support of our associated partners. The training prices for these profiles are as follows:
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If you are a project initiator: €6,500 (incl. VAT)
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Price reduction based on the number of initiators:
- 2 initiators: €5,000 (incl. VAT) per initiator
- 3 initiators: €4,500 (incl. VAT) per initiator
-
If you are a non-project participant: €6,500 (incl. VAT)
Training eligible for OPCO and the Personal Training Account (CPF)
Selection process
The selection process consists of four steps and is entirely online.
Please note that the time between the Grand Jury decision and the start of classes is approximately 3 weeks.
Phone interview
Application dossier
Selection committee
Grand Jury
Our partners
HEC Challenge + worldwide
Pedagogical team
The academic team is composed of HEC Paris professors, subject matter experts, and Challenge+ alumni.
Etienne Krieger
Frédéric Iselin
Adama Touré
Alexandre Lamy
Sebastian Becker
Michael LOY
François Pelen
Marc Beretta
Alexis John Ahyee
The HEC Challenge+ rising stars to watch
Among the 120 French startups that will shape the economy of tomorrow, according to Les Echos Start, nearly 25% have gone through HEC CHALLENGE+:
Genepred, Avalun, Millidrop, VitaDx, Inotrem, Poietis, Bodycap, Kinestesia, InSimo, MesDépanneurs.fr, 2Spark, Sublimed, Airinnov, Trustinsoft, Ethera, Qucit, Thrustme, Stiral, Greencreative, Lactips, Accelad, Novae, Apix, 3deau, Sirfull, Nawatechnology, Greenerwave, Fysiki.
The flagship companies of HEC CHALLENGE+
THE SUPPORT TEAM
NEWS
