HEC Paris Startup Launchpad: Guillaume le Dieu de Ville's Vision for the program
In collaboration with leading figures from HEC Paris, Guillaume Le Dieu de Ville, the director of Startup Launchpad, has brought fresh innovation to the teaching of entrepreneurship. In an exclusive interview, we delved into the strategy behind this prestigious program, designed to empower students to launch their startups in just 11 weeks.
His Entrepreneurial Journey to HEC Paris
Guillaume Le Dieu de Ville did not follow the traditional path to becoming a program director. With seven companies to his name, he embodies the spirit of a serial entrepreneur, nurtured in an environment that was both dynamic and conducive to innovation: the early days of the Internet.
At the age of fifteen, he launched his first web development company. "I then worked in London for the agency Euro-RSCG, now known as Havas, where I became an account director at the age of 22. I managed international as well as French accounts in the automotive sector, including Peugeot.", he recounts.
Guillaume returned to his studies at the Institut de l’Internet et du Multimédia (IIM), the first Internet school in France. There, he learned from esteemed American professors such as Jim Clark, one of the co-founders of Netscape, and Tomlinson Holman, the inventor of the THX sound system. As part of an internship to complete his studies, he flew to Silicon Valley with his colleague Arnaud Portanelli. Together, they worked for Luc Julia, one of the creators of Siri and a pioneer in artificial intelligence.
After spending two years in the United States, Guillaume came back to France and, alongside his colleague Arnaud, launched the French subsidiary of Orb Networks to penetrate the European market. At the same time, he pursued a Master’s degree in Management and New Technologies at HEC Paris, in collaboration with Télécom ParisTech, graduating in 2006.
Julien Levy, then the program director, invited him to teach courses at HEC Paris. Guillaume accepted the offer while continuing his entrepreneurial endeavors. Alongside the sale of Orb Networks, he decided to start a new venture with his trusted partner Arnaud. Lingueo emerged as the leading provider of online language courses in France.
"I have always started companies quite instinctively, let's say 'the old-fashioned way,' with the mindset that sacrifice is necessary. If you're not in your garage or a small room, eating pasta for four years, you won't make it. Obviously, it was an unrefined approach, and in hindsight, you realize there were other ways to go about it..."
Bridging the Academic and Corporate Worlds: When Great Minds Converge...
Initially, Guillaume Le Dieu de Ville taught courses on innovation strategy and entrepreneurship in various HEC programs. His desire to go beyond the "mere" sharing of experiences led to a collaborative reflection with Julien Levy and Eloïc Peyrache. Together, they aimed to design a more structured and impactful methodology for entrepreneurship training.
These efforts marked the beginnings of the Startup Launchpad. Guillaume was tasked by Stéphane Madoeuf, the director of the digital major, with developing the program. Despite undergoing a few adjustments, it has retained its original form since its inception in 2015. The digital major became a fertile ground for the growth of the Startup Launchpad, providing a conducive environment for entrepreneurial experimentation and innovation.
With the support of Julien Levy and drawing from his hands-on experience, Guillaume drew inspiration from user- and customer-centered innovation methods, successfully bridging the academic and professional worlds. He explains, "I followed many 'learning by doing' and design thinking methodologies that had been present in Silicon Valley for 30 years and were just beginning to be applied in companies. This was immensely helpful in developing the program."
A program that, by placing students in real-world settings, enables them to gain knowledge and adopt a truly entrepreneurial mindset, thereby accelerating the development of their projects.
Discover more about the program's educational methodology: HEC Paris Startup Launchpad: a unique startup accelerator in Europe
Developing an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Strategic Ambition for HEC Paris
HEC Paris is among the pioneering institutions in France for teaching entrepreneurship. As early as 1978, the school launched a course focused on business creation, which later evolved into the X-HEC Entrepreneurs program.
However, until 2016, the school's entrepreneurial branch was relatively limited compared to what it has become today. Its expansion has been facilitated by a technological environment that has simplified business creation, creating ideal conditions for venturing into entrepreneurship.
"I remember that back then, there wasn't much in place. The HEC Paris incubator was just getting started, and the funding ecosystem was quite limited. The HEC Entrepreneur program wasn't even designed to allow students to launch their businesses while still studying."
Over the years, amid a national drive to develop a French entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem, HEC's ambition has crystallized: to become an essential player in innovation and entrepreneurship, both in France and internationally.
The HEC Paris Startup Launchpad has positioned itself as a catalyst, bringing together all the players within the HEC ecosystem and beyond. "I wanted to contribute to the program by leveraging what I had built, particularly my network, with the aim of creating a true ecosystem," explains Guillaume.
The program should not merely focus on training entrepreneurs. It must establish itself as a genuine platform - a vital hub for students from around the globe who aspire to embark on entrepreneurial ventures.
To successfully realize this project, Guillaume relies on a strong and passionate team, and particularly on Rémi Rivas and Mathias Abramovicz for their expertise in pedagogy.
"In just a few years, our team has significantly expanded, and I am fortunate to rely on exceptional talents, both in educational leadership and in managing daily operations."
The Value of the Network: Alumni, Mentors, Partners, Donors…
To achieve this ambition, the network is crucial, whether it's for developing strategic partnerships or initiating in-vitro development projects. And Guillaume knows all about networks. His ability to connect students with top-tier experts and investors is one of the key factors in the program's success.
In building this ecosystem, Guillaume is at the forefront. "I'm a 'problem solver' and I open a lot of doors. That's a bit of my role today," he states. He has strongly advocated for the involvement of HEC Alumni, asserting, "The Alumni network is a key element for us." He was also instrumental in the creation of HEC Ventures, the alumni investment fund that financially supports startups from the program, alongside partner venture capital firms.
Academically, he strives to engage more faculty and maintains strong ties with key players on the Saclay plateau, where HEC Paris is the leading business school. A cornerstone of his methodology is the ongoing interactions with mentors and experts, which allow participants to broaden their perspectives through invaluable feedback and unique opportunities. "The mentors are entrepreneurs themselves; they can save participants time because they've been through these stages," Guillaume explains.
Each year, Guillaume taps into his network to invite new entrepreneurs to become mentors or sponsors of the program.
Among them are notable figures such as Xavier Niel, founder of Free and sponsor of the first cohort, Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder of Airbnb, as well as Catherine Barba, Luc Julia, creator of SIRI, and the founders of Skello, Quitterie Mathelin-Moreaux and Emmanuelle Fauchier-Magnan . More recently, Alexandre Prot, founder of the unicorn Qonto, has joined, serving as a testament to the Startup Launchpad's renown.
Indeed, the Startup Launchpad provides exceptional and inspiring encounters, but Guillaume emphasizes the significance of keeping students grounded in real-world experiences. "The aim of the Launchpad is to support the initial stages of business creation," he explains. The objective is to impart not only valuable insights but also a working methodology that participants can apply beyond the program.
The Future Development Prospects for the Startup Launchpad
Addressing increasingly significant strategic challenges
By maintaining a direct connection with the business world, the Startup Launchpad serves as "a true laboratory," highlighting emerging market trends. "We've witnessed the Bitcoin years, the AI years, the 'Sharing & Economy' era, and the 'conscious consumption' movement... The students are immersed in these trends."
In this dynamic environment, Guillaume aims to tackle increasingly significant strategic issues. "We will collaborate with companies that will share their knowledge and challenges. This will enable us to approach strategic topics with even greater ambition." The goal is also to engage academic faculty more extensively.
Expanding partnerships to become a global catalyst for talent
Though the Startup Launchpad currently supports over 1,000 students, more than 400 projects, and nearly 100 active companies, greater openness is needed for attracting creative minds from around the world.
The program collaborates with international academic institutions like NYU Stern, with the support of Pascal Cagni, and the ESA Business School, while additional key partnerships are also developing behind the scenes...
Participants benefit from a diverse mix of profiles, each bringing unique expertise and perspectives. "It's this cultural diversity that creates strength and adds significant value to the program," explains Guillaume.
To support these new ambitions, the Startup Launchpad has become part of the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute and receives backing from the HEC Foundation, particularly through the generous bequest from the Foriel-Destezet family.
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.
ABOUT FONDATION HEC
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.