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Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute

HEC Challenge + Dakar

HEC Challenge + Dakar HEC Challenge + Dakar

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Language: French

Logo du programme HEC Challenge Plus Afrique

About the program

The HEC Challenge+ program assists 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 + Dakar

HEC Challenge + Dakar

Format: On site and online
Duration: 9 months
Language(s): French
Next start(s):
Cost: 4500 €*
Place(s): Dakar

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.
  • The added value of the program: diagnostic seminars focused on your project
  • 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+ Dakar adventure!

The selection of candidates for the HEC Challenge+ Dakar program is conducted through the DER/FJ (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth).

 

Find out more about DER/JR

 

Download the brochure

Key Figures

7

IPOs

+1,000

startups supported

€1B

raised from investors

97 %

Success rate upon certification

 

4,7/5

Overall satisfaction rate

Dive into the heart of the HEC Challenge+ 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 Fee

 

The HEC Challenge+ program in Dakar is part of the LionsTech Invest community, jointly supported by the Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth (DER/FJ) and the French Embassy in Senegal. The aim is to enhance the visibility and growth of Senegalese startups within the international financial ecosystem.

Therefore, the HEC Challenge+ Dakar program is funded by the French Embassy in Senegal, even though the market price of the program is set at €30,000.

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.

Dialogue

Phone interview

Portefeuille de formations

Application dossier

Offre inter-privilège

Selection committee

stars-picto

Grand Jury

Academic Team

Etienne Krieger
Etienne Krieger
Affiliate Professor & Scientific Director

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+

Logos Startups Challenge +

 

THE SUPPORT TEAM

Aymeric Penven
Aymeric Penven
Executive Director
Sophia El Hajaj Gnassounou
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Projects Manager

NEWS

Challenge + Dakar 2023

Some programs need no introduction. HEC Challenge + is certainly one of them. Specially designed by HEC Paris to help innovators, scientists, and engineers develop their business plans and guide their...

Forum Challenge + 2023 Vignette

HEC Challenge + has established itself as the leading program for innovators with high-growth potential projects. Through high-level teaching, quality support, and an extensive network, innovative...

forum hec challenge plus 2021-1

This year, the HEC Challenge+ forum was part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week program, the week that celebrates entrepreneurship around the world. It was an opportunity to showcase the most talented...

La promotion 2019-1

On November 14th, the FORUM HEC CHALLENGE + took place on the HEC Paris campus. This event marked the closing of the 2019-1 promotion

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