Kélian Lalloué

I learned how to rethink the foundations of innovation, particularly through daily success-story interventions within the large HEC Paris network

As a former student in an International Business School, I was looking for an intensive startup-oriented business creation program in which I could truly optimize my time and energy. There is a lot of rudimentary training for startups, but I was looking for a real value-added program.

First, I was interested in HEC for its prestigious and international image. Then, when I took a closer look at the program, it was the teaching staff’s legitimacy and the many success entrepreneurial stories of HEC students that convinced me. Both were decisive factors in choosing the intensive program Startup Studio at HEC Paris.

I had just finished my internship in International Management when I started the Startup Studio. The HEC program was the outcome of my theoretical years of study and allowed me to acquire the entrepreneurial vision and skills that were lacking in my degree program. This training was the perfect link between my studies and the beginning of my professional life.

One of the major strengths of this program is undoubtedly the quality of the teaching team. Etienne Krieger and Frederic Iselin are inspiring entrepreneurs who have a range of very enriching experiences that they love to share. I learned how to rethink the foundations of innovation, particularly through daily success-story interventions within the large HEC Paris network.

Etienne Krieger and Frederic Iselin involved many business leaders, investors, business angels, high level sportsmen, etc. to illustrate the key program fundamentals.  that could be taught in the courses during the program. It was a real advantage to be able to talk in a small committee with this kind of inspiring high profiles.

The program is organized around respective business creation projects, and culminates in a pitching contest at the end of the program: the challenge to win the title of Best Business Creation. HEC brings a significant additional motivation as well as a considerable asset to one’s resume. The wise advice of the teachers and the goodwill of the other students allowed us to progress at an incredible speed.

Following the Summer School, I joined the consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in order to perfect my corporate organizational vision. At the same time, I started my own entrepreneurial adventure by creating a clothing website co-founded with a French blogger, and I recently joined a friend from the Start-up Studio on a new startup. In sum, the Startup Studio was not only beneficial due to the practical knowledge I gained, but it was also personally rewarding thanks to the network I acquired as a Summer School student at HEC Paris.