HEC Paris Taking Over Y Combinator
Ok ok, maybe it’s a little clickbait… But hey, sometimes the truth lies between the lines.
🎓 HEC Paris, top French school for Y Combinator founders
A recent analysis by Erwann Gardelle and Crustdata (YC F24) reveals that HEC Paris leads all French universities with 46 alumni founders accepted into Y Combinator over the past 20 years — closely followed by École Polytechnique (44), with whom we shared the X-HEC Entrepreneurship Master (11 founders being accepted to YC).
The data shows a strong balance between business and engineering schools, and highlights the impact of France’s Grandes Écoles system on entrepreneurial ambition and global reach.
The question is:
Will the narrative ever change? How can we ensure that access to innovation doesn’t remain limited to a narrow set of profiles?
Fortunately, change is already underway. HEC Paris, for instance, is multiplying initiatives to broaden the spectrum of its entrepreneurs.
DeepTech Center – a hub dedicated to connecting researchers and entrepreneurs, turning scientific breakthroughs into viable startups. In 2023 alone, it supported 230 early-stage deeptech projects from labs and engineering schools, strengthening the link between science and business.
Social Entrepreneurship Center – HEC’s center for impact-driven entrepreneurship, leveraging business as a force for good.
Through its social impact accelerator: l’Accélérateur ESS. Last year, it supported 42 purpose-driven startups, proving that economic performance and social impact can go hand in hand.
Through Stand Up: a free program that supports women from all backgrounds on their journey to entrepreneurship. Launched in 2018, it has already trained over 3,200 aspiring female founders across France.
Incubation & Acceleration Center – Our Center believes that entrepreneurs exposed to different cultural backgrounds have higher chances to succeed. In recent years the focus was on increasing the number of international startups which represent now 38% of the supported startups.
WE4G program: a program dedicated to supporting international women entrepreneurs committed to create positive impact.
International Programs: in partnership with Station F, the purpose is to open the doors of France and Europe to international entrepreneurs while giving them a global network to expand their business all over the world (like Kosme program).
As our Dean, Eloïc Peyrache, eloquently states about HEC Paris: "with 50% of international students representing more than 100 nationalities, we can become a laboratory for peace".
Building upon this vision, we remain deeply committed to fostering innovations that drive positive societal change, actively shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.
🇮🇳 New International Program Launch: Welcome IndiaAI!
After the remarkable success of Korean and Japanese startups in our International Program, the Incubateur HEC Paris and STATION F are thrilled to announce a new partnership with IndiaAI Mission and MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India).
Together, we’re launching the IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program, a 4-month journey to help India’s most promising AI startups expand into the European market!
🪟 VSION deploys smart window film at Station F and Monaco
South Korean startup VSION, which took part in the KISED program (Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development), has recently installed its innovative smart window solutions at Station F (Founders Café) in Paris and at Unite in Monaco marking a key milestone in its European expansion.
VSION specializes in smart window film technology that combines privacy, branding, and energy efficiency. Its PDLC films allow instant transitions from transparent to opaque while blocking UV and infrared rays.
🌱 Eco-designed and resilient to extreme conditions, VSION’s films help significantly reduce energy consumption.
🔥 Think Global, Act Fearless 🔥
Four founders. One stage. No limits.
On March 31st, join us at Station F for an evening of bold stories and boundary-breaking journeys.
NomadHer, Apple and The Incubateur HEC Paris, we’re bringing together four inspiring women who are reshaping industries, breaking taboos, and building global communities.
🌍 Hyojeong KIM – Founder of NomadHer, the #1 travel app for female globetrotters (Backed by the KOSME program).
🎙️ Caroline Loyer – Journalist and former BBC World Service
✈️ Mariam N’DIAYE – Founder of BROKE AND ABROAD, making travel accessible & empowering
💄 Laura De Dilectis – Serial entrepreneur & founder of VIOLA,
(Backed by L’Oréal BeautyTech Atelier)
📍 Station F
🗓️ Monday, March 31 | 6PM – 7:30PM
👉 Register now
🎥 How to Create Content That Actually Hits Home
You post with purpose… but the traction just isn’t there.
13 likes on a project that’s meaningful, impactful, valuable?
We’ve all been there.
Let’s break the myth of “random virality.” Behind every viral video, there’s structure, timing… And most importantly, the right emotion.
In this workshop, you’ll get behind the scenes of Média Positif, one of the most engaging and fast-growing media platforms in France, followed by over 6.5 million people and generating 250 million views each month.
Hugues de Rosny, its founder, will share the keys to turning a great message into viral content that truly connects. let’s join us!
📍 Station F
🗓️ Wednesday, April 2 | 6PM – 7PM
👉 Register Now (The talk will be in 🇫🇷)
🚀 HEC Paris Startup Launchpad Demo Day 2025 is back! 🚀
Join us for the grand finale of this year’s HEC Paris Startup Launchpad and witness 10 of the most advanced startup projects from the 2025 cohort battle it out in an electrifying pitch competition! 🔥
By the end of the evening, two winners will be announced: one chosen by the jury and one by the audience. Among the prizes at stake is a four-month incubation at the Incubateur HEC Paris.
The Startup Launchpad has already launched the likes of OVRSEA, Spacefill, Skello, Garantme, Urgentime, Veesion, Goodvest, Revyze, Ida, and Corma.
📍 Station F
📅 Friday, April 4 | 2PM - 6PM
👉 Register Now!
🤖 Catch the replay – GenAI Network Meetup #8
The 8th edition of the GenAI Network - GAIN took place on March 19, 2025, at Le Wagon in Paris, in partnership with the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute and Rootly AI.
The event brought together key players from France’s generative AI ecosystem to discuss the challenges of building and scaling secure AI agents in enterprise settings.
👟 Sneakmart: Flash Sales, Hype Drops, and Streetwear Deals You Can’t Miss
Off-White, Stone Island, JACQUEMUS, Nike, Adidas… What if you could shop these iconic brands at up to 70% off?
That’s the promise of Sneakmart, the first members-only shopping app offering curated flash sales of premium sneakers, apparel, and collectibles — three times a week.
👏 Big shoutout to: Anthony Debrant | Martin Seigneuret | Atabak KHALILINEJAD | Paul Nizet
👨⚖️ Hermine AI: The Legal Copilot That Cuts Drafting Time in Half
Legal professionals often spend more than half their time drafting documents, a time-consuming process that leaves little room for higher-value tasks.
Founded with the mission to streamline legal workflows, Hermine AI acts as a copilot for legal drafting, automating everything from information extraction to legal analysis, initial drafting, and document customization — all in just a few minutes.
Congrats to Maxime HERRMANN | Tanguy HERSERANT | Hugo Molas
Freeda: Catch Construction Errors Before They Cost You
Construction projects are often delayed before they even begin.
70% of those delays are caused by errors hidden in project documents. Floor plans, permits, compliance docs… Freeda uses AI to review construction documents in minutes — checking them against building codes, project requirements, and local regulations.
Congrats to Peter Starr | Augustin Perraud | Charles Albert Desbaux | Mariano Rodríguez
🚧 This section is under construction…
We’re looking for an intern to join us on this exciting work-in-progress.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
🧱 Add some bricks to the newsletter wall
🧠 Share your genius ideas
🎯 Proofread like a hawk
💌 Help us hit “send” with confidence
👉 More details here
To wrap up this newsletter, less reading and more visuals… And some figures to drop at the coffee machine!
“Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.”
Drew Houston
(Dropbox)
