14.10.2025
In a world of constant change, companies are seeking sustainable levers to innovate and adapt. At ESSEC, entrepreneurship is not just about startups, it is a transversal skill, taught as a mindset to be infused at every level of the organization. The goal: to shape professionals who can act under uncertainty, take initiative, and transform their work environment.
Why are companies so eager to develop entrepreneurial skills? Because they have become a powerful driver of internal transformation. “The entrepreneurial mindset is not reserved for startup founders. It can also be embodied by a salesperson, a project manager, or a team leader,” explains Jan Lepoutre, Professor at ESSEC and Academic Director of the ESSEC Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “It enables change, evolves practices, and provides the ability to better navigate uncertainty.”
Companies turn to ESSEC for a proven methodology of transmission. “How do you teach a mindset? How do you make sure it sticks over time? That’s where ESSEC stands out” explains Sammy Bahda Delattre, Corporate Programs Designer at ESSEC Executive Education. “We don’t just train technical know-how. We foster an entrepreneurial posture and way of thinking that can transform practices, teams, and entire organizations.”
The programs are designed for every level of the hierarchy and use a cross-disciplinary approach, combining expertise in entrepreneurship, strategy, social sciences, and design. This mix strengthens the school’s ability to spark innovation dynamics anchored in the realities of organizations.
10,000 Small Businesses France
Launched in 2020, 10,000 Small Businesses France (#10KSBFrance) is a partnership between the Goldman Sachs Foundation and ESSEC Executive Education. This acceleration program targets French small and medium-sized businesses, supporting their growth strategies, strengthening the resilience of their leaders, and fostering long-term job creation.
“This is not a classic incubator,” explains Ludovic Taphanel, Executive Director of the Program. “It’s designed for established businesses looking to scale. We help them craft a tailored growth plan and equip leaders with the essential skills to execute it. Our goal is to enable sustainable business expansion.”
Each cohort (70 participants, twice a year) benefits from ESSEC Executive Education’s academic expertise, personalized support, and full coverage of training costs by the Goldman Sachs Foundation. Already successful in the US and UK, the program has been adapted to the French context. Since its launch, over 600 business leaders have participated.
Michelangelo (Homo Faber Fellowship)
This pioneering initiative helps master artisans strengthen their entrepreneurial skills. It enables young apprentices like feather artisan Matéo Laurent to combine traditional craftsmanship with business training at ESSEC. “We took the time to spend days on certain delicate steps,” recalls his mentor Julien Vermeulen. Thanks to a month of entrepreneurship masterclasses at ESSEC, Matéo learned to frame his project like a business founder: visibility, minimum viable product, client acquisition, pricing, etc.
The Aristée program for agricultural cooperatives
Developed with Coop de France and DIRCA, Aristée is a diploma-awarding program designed for managers of agricultural cooperatives. It addresses issues of governance, performance, and people at the heart of the organization. One participant explains: “I was looking for training tailored to cooperative models. But Aristée above all helped me realize the human richness of these structures.”
Through such initiatives, ESSEC demonstrates its ability to design tailored programs, adapted to each sector, culture, and organization. It confirms that entrepreneurship, far beyond new venture creation, has become a powerful lever of sustainable transformation for established companies.
