Rémi Rivas, Academic Co-Director of the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad
Portrait of Rémi Rivas, Academic Co-Director of the HEC Paris Startup LaunchpadRémi Rivas is a well-known name in the field of innovation. Currently, he is the co-director of the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad, one of the largest startup accelerators in Europe. We met him to learn more about his journey, his role in the HEC Paris ecosystem, and the key advice he has for budding entrepreneurs.
Where are you from, and what is your background?
My journey is somewhat unconventional. After earning a degree in management sciences, I began my career in the early 2000s at Microsoft France. I specialized in the monetization of advertising spaces, just as the field was undergoing significant changes with the introduction of online ad auctions.
Despite this enriching experience, it was far from my creative aspirations. So, I returned to school to study industrial design. This training allowed me to become a UX designer and service designer, combining technical skills with creativity. Initially, I worked in agencies, but the favorable market conditions encouraged me to venture out on my own.
Today, alongside my role at HEC Paris, I work as a design consultant. For the past ten years, I have been freelancing, developing expertise that enables me to advise large organizations on design and innovation processes. I help these companies rethink their service offerings, intelligently evolve their products, and improve their innovation marketing strategies.
What brought you to HEC Paris?
I would say it’s a combination of technical expertise and collaboration opportunities. In 2015, on the recommendation of Antoine Lepretre, I started working with the current HEC Paris Incubator, which was still a business incubator at that time! I taught UX/UI design to the incubates, helping them improve their landing pages and better understand their audience.
These sessions caught the attention of Guillaume Le Dieu de Ville, the creator and director of the Startup Launchpad program. We started collaborating, and eventually, he proposed that Mathias Abramovicz and I take on the academic direction of the program under his leadership.
In my current role, I design and structure educational modules, lead workshops, and monitor student projects. Essentially, Mathias and I drive numerous initiatives aimed at enriching the participant experience. Our mission is also to guide, inspire, and challenge aspiring entrepreneurs on a daily basis.
What do you think makes the Startup Launchpad strong?
The strength of the Launchpad lies in its multidimensional approach, emphasizing several key success factors for budding entrepreneurs.
Our ecosystem is unique in Europe. We engage over 150 contributors to bring a diverse range of perspectives and exceptional expertise. Each Startup Launchpad team is mentored by successful entrepreneurs and coached by industry experts who help refine their offerings and market strategies.
Together with Mathias Abramovicz, we strive to foster an empirical approach to learning by exposing students to market realities from day one of the program. By testing their offers in the field, entrepreneurs develop agility and gain a deep understanding of market dynamics and key success factors.
Another major strength is the extensive HEC network. This is a significant asset, providing students with access to a broad array of contacts, including potential clients and investors, as well as numerous resources. They can leverage a network of more than 60,000 alumni and 1,000 mentors and entrepreneurs, all ready to help accelerate the initial stages of their projects and seize growth opportunities.
> HEC Paris Startup Launchpad : un accélérateur de startup unique en Europe
What advice would you give to students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Never underestimate the importance of adaptability! Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning process where no rule is permanent. You need to be agile and ready to revise your initial ideas based on market feedback. This requires hands-on experience and being attentive to user feedback.
Additionally, networking is crucial, especially when starting out. Surround yourself with competent people who are available and willing to share their networks and resources. At HEC, we've structured a unique ecosystem from both a network and resource perspective.
Finally, have faith in your vision but stay open to change. Innovation is not just about having a brilliant idea. It involves rigorous and flexible implementation aligned with market demand and trends. This is our daily objective in the Startup Launchpad program: we take ambitious young individuals with a good vision but a poor execution plan and help them reshape it completely. And we do this in just 11 weeks!
> Do’s & Dont’s : Launching and Growing Your Startup by Rémi Rivas
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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.