Rest Today, Innovate Tomorrow 🤯
If Santa Claus rests all year round and we end up on his voicemail, there’s probably a reason for that, right? Yes, efficiency and originality!
The Entrepreneur on Holiday: Myth or Reality? ✨
Ah, Christmas… That magical time when lights twinkle, chocolates are shared, and we promise ourselves we’ll finally unplug. But for entrepreneurs, the holiday season often feels more like a covert brainstorming session than a true moment of rest.
An urgent email squeezed in between slices of cake, a pitch idea scribbled on the back of a napkin during dinner, or the infamous “just a quick call” with an investor. Let’s face it: the entrepreneur on holiday is often as mythical as Santa’s elves. 🧝✨
Yet, taking a winter break is essential.
Not to forget your project, but to recharge your batteries. It’s often away from screens and schedules that the best ideas emerge, a sudden flash of insight while admiring Christmas lights or a fresh perspective during a snowy (or rainy, let’s be honest) walk.
So this year, try this:
🎄 Block out your downtime as firmly as you’d block a meeting with an investor.
🎄 Entrust your urgent tasks to your team—it’s part of knowing how to delegate.
🎄 Give yourself permission to dream—not about your roadmap, but about what could be, without pressure or deadlines.
But no worries, there are still a few days left to catch up on all the latest news from the incubateur HEC Paris!
Revolutionizing Sales Order Management with AI!
Eledone is transforming sales order management with an intelligent, fast, and reliable solution. 🧠
Their AI-powered agent automates sales order entry directly into your ERP system, saving teams up to 4 hours per day by eliminating manual input. 😏
Here’s how Eledone AI boosts enterprise efficiency:
✅ 8x ROI for clients
✅ 100% fill success rate
✅ Compatible with all major ERP systems, including Sage, SAP, Oracle, Odoo…
Congrats to Arno Heckel | Bruno Heckel | Erwan Boullier
BeePlanet Factory raises €5 million
to accelerate international expansion 🐝
BeePlanet Factory, a pioneer in energy storage using electric vehicle batteries, has closed a €5 million funding round aimed at strengthening its growth, diversification, and international expansion strategy. his startup is part of the TotalEnergies On accelerator.
“This capital increase is a decisive step that will strengthen our position and help us progress further in the energy storage sector. Our goal is to become global leaders in the reuse of electric vehicle batteries.”
Jon Asín, CEO of BeePlanet
Since its founding in 2018, BeePlanet has achieved €5.7 million in revenue in 2023, created 46 high-skilled jobs (with further growth anticipated), and invested over €5 million in technology. The company has also participated in 10 European R&D projects and accumulated over 40 MWh of storage capacity.
👉 More information
Pi-xcels raises $2.7 million
to revolutionize retail with NFC e-receipts 🧾
Specializing in the digitalization of paper receipts, Pi-xcels, a startup from the KISED program, offers an innovative solution that enables merchants to issue e-receipts via NFC without requiring any changes to payment systems or checkout equipment.
This unique software captures detailed transaction data directly at the point of sale, providing valuable insights for merchants, banks, and card networks. These insights help reduce fraud, enhance loyalty programs, and optimize customer experiences while ensuring user privacy is fully respected.
The solution also addresses a pressing environmental issue: every year, 9 million trees are cut down and 28,000 tonnes of CO₂ are emitted to produce paper receipts, most of which are quickly discarded.
With Pi-xcels, the transition to a smarter, more sustainable solution is now within reach.
👉 More information
UniCogni’s 🦄
The AI-Powered Exam Prep Tool Helping Students Ace Their Exams
Exams can be overwhelming—searching for appropriate practice materials, managing time, and battling exam anxiety is no small feat.
That’s why three X-HEC Alumni and HEC Launchpad graduates created UniCogni, an AI-powered exam prep tool. And now, it’s available for free access to help students everywhere to ace their exams! 💯
Why use UniCogni?
📝 Custom Practice Tests: Turn your notes into interactive tests with explanations.
⏱️ Study Smarter: Focus on weak spots and save valuable time.
🚀 Easy to Use: Upload materials, customize lessons, and start practicing in seconds.
Wall Of Fame 🥇
FINGREEN AI won the Audience Choice Award at COP29 Azerbaijan ! 🏆
👉 learn more
Neurobus wins 1st place at the European Defense Tech Hackathon in Paris, showcasing the potential of neuromorphic event-based cameras for faster, more precise defense systems. 🥇
👉 learn more
Ryp Labs wins the 1st prize at the Food Chain Innovation Challenge in San Francisco, showcasing groundbreaking solutions at an unforgettable event. 🥇
👉 learn more
SmartBack celebrates its 3rd anniversary with its inaugural Impact Evening, focusing on resilience, profitability, and corporate responsibility, bringing together experts to inspire concrete solutions for a circular economy. 🎂
👉 learn more
Voltiris drives agrivoltaic innovation, seamlessly combining renewable energy and agriculture to build a greener, more sustainable future. 🌱
👉 learn more
🏢 GRDF unveils its new eco-friendly headquarters in Saint-Denis, showcasing low-carbon rammed earth by Terrio, seamlessly blending with the architecture designed by Valode & Pistre. ♻️
👉 learn more
ProGlove celebrates 10 years of innovation, transforming workflows worldwide with wearable technology, revolutionizing barcode scanning, and expanding to over 50 countries. 🌍
👉 learn more
Persado wins the 2024 Banking Tech Award for its Motivation AI platform, recognized for driving $2.5 billion in revenue through AI-powered marketing optimization. 💰
👉 learn more
JETRO Program 2024: From Japan to the world! 🇯🇵 🚀
The JETRO Program is a game-changer for Japanese startups aiming to scale beyond borders. Hosted at STATION F and supported by JETRO and Incubateur HEC Paris, this initiative is helping ambitious founders enter and thrive in the French and European markets. 🚀
Throughout this program the Japanese startups benefit from:
✅ Access to Europe’s vibrant startup ecosystem at Station F
✅ Tailored guidance from the experts at Incubateur HEC Paris
✅ Networking opportunities with key players in European markets
✅ A springboard for scaling globally
This program reflects the best of international collaboration, bridging Japan’s innovation excellence with Europe’s dynamic opportunities. It’s inspiring to see the JETRO Startup Program making it possible for Japanese entrepreneurs to explore new markets and build meaningful connections.
Together, we make it happen. Together, we make it BIG. 💡
Confidentiality: The Secret Weapon for Startups 🔐
Missed our event with Benoît Wintrebert, Director of Research and Innovation Programs at the Ministère des Armées and author of Confidential Innovation: The Secret Advantage? No worries!
The replay is now available on YouTube and Spotify.
During this event at Station F, powered by the Incubateur HEC Paris, we dived into how confidentiality can be transformed into a powerful strategic advantage for startups.
🎥 Watch the replay
🎙️ Listen to the podcast
“Bouclons la boucle”: A Podcast on Circular Economy
We are thrilled to highlight Célia Roussin (founder of pépite raisin), an inspiring entrepreneur and former member of the Incubateur HEC Paris, who continues to champion the circular economy through her podcast “Bouclons la boucle”.
In this latest episode, she delves into impactful and practical solutions for a more sustainable future. 🌍
Founded in 2023, it is a mission-driven company specializing in circular innovations derived from grape by-products, particularly in the Champagne region. 🍇✨
The company transforms viticulture residues, such as seeds, skins, and stems, into high-quality raw materials for industries like fashion, perfumery, and cosmetics.
Christophe Périllat:
Leading Valeo Towards Sustainable Mobility
In the latest edition of “L’Entretien HEC,” Christophe Périllat, CEO of Valeo, shares insights from his extensive career in the automotive industry.
An alumnus of École Polytechnique, École des Mines, and HEC Paris (Executive MBA), he discusses his journey from the aeronautics sector to leading Valeo, a global automotive supplier.
He emphasizes the importance of innovation and adaptability in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape, highlighting Valeo’s commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.
👉 For the full interview, visit HEC Stories.
Veragrow, the startup with 25 million employees!🪱
🚜 Episode 2 of the AgriRec web series is out!
In this episode, Pierre Angot, Program Manager at Hectar operated by the Incubateur HEC Paris, sits down with Veragrow’s founders, Alexandre Bocage and Théo SAINT MARTIN, to explore their cutting-edge solution for precision agriculture.
🌱 This startup is revolutionizing agriculture with an industrial-scale vermicomposting technology that boosts crop production while safeguarding the environment.
Calling all innovators:
Egis launches its Innovation Challenge!
Are you ready to shape the future of our industries and our planet? 🚀
Egis announces its Innovation Challenge, offering an opportunity to turn your ideas into impactful solutions.
💡 3 focus themes for your innovative projects:
• Mitigating climate change and preserving natural resources
• Designing future-ready transport infrastructures and buildings
• Leveraging digital transformation for operational efficiency and engineering excellence
🙋♂️🙋♀️ Who can join?
Startups, students from top schools, Egis partners, and beyond! Team up with at least two members and bring your groundbreaking ideas to the table. From architecture and consultancy to engineering and operations, all fields are welcome!
📅 Key dates:
You have until January 24th to form your team and submit your application.
👉 Apply here
ProGlove is a company that develops smart wearable scanner solutions to enhance worker productivity and efficiency.
join proglove
FINGREEN AI is company specializing in AI-powered ESG data and reporting platforms, assisting consultants and businesses in managing ESG reporting project;s
join Fingreen.ai
Persado uses AI to optimize marketing language and boost customer engagement.
join persado
Terrio produces sustainable prefabricated rammed earth blocks for modern construction.
join terrio
Eledone is an AI-powered agent that automates sales order entry into ERP systems, saving teams up to 4 hours per day by eliminating manual input.
join Eledone
Batisia is an AI co-pilot for construction projects, assisting professionals in executing and optimizing tasks efficiently.
join Batisia
MonCab is an all-in-one platform that simplifies the rental of medical, paramedical, and therapeutic offices, offering flexible solutions for healthcare professionals.
Join MonCab
Aldebaran is a digital medical assistant that streamlines patient consultations by gathering health information in advance.
Join Aldebaran
Ugly Sweater
How Christmas Magic Made ‘Ugly’ Cool 🎄✨
Ugly Christmas sweaters have become an unmissable holiday tradition, but did you know they’ve also turned into a goldmine for some entrepreneurs?
That’s exactly what happened to Evan Mendelsohn and Nick Morton, the founders of Tipsy Elves. Their bold gamble to transform kitschy Christmas sweaters into a multimillion-dollar fashion brand is a testament to the power of creativity, strategy, and the right partnerships.
Here’s the story of Tipsy Elves’ extraordinary rise to becoming one of Shark Tank’s most iconic success stories.
In 2011, Evan Mendelsohn, a lawyer, and Nick Morton, a dentist, joined forces to launch what seemed like a fun and slightly absurd idea: Christmas sweaters with over-the-top, humorous designs. At the time, ugly Christmas sweaters were growing in popularity, but no brand had yet fully capitalized on the trend.
In their first year, Tipsy Elves generated $370,000 in revenue.
A solid performance for a new business, but the co-founders knew they needed more to take their venture to the next level. They decided to pitch their business on the TV show Shark Tank. In exchange for 10% equity, they secured a $100,000 investment from Robert Herjavec.
A Rapid Breakthrough
Within 72 hours of their episode airing, Tipsy Elves generated over $1 million in sales. (A reminder of the importance of stress-testing your website when you know you’re about to appear on national TV!)
Another key strategic decision was leveraging targeted digital marketing.
Tipsy Elves took full advantage of social media, combining paid ads with viral content to attract a young, fun-loving audience. Collaborations with influencers and humor-driven campaigns further cemented their quirky, offbeat image.
The Results Speak for Themselves
In the first year after Shark Tank, Tipsy Elves’ revenue skyrocketed to $10 million, marking explosive growth. Today, the company is valued at an estimated $150 million.
A Christmas Lesson to Ponder by Your Tree:
1. Capitalize on a niche
Ugly Christmas sweaters were a niche market, but Tipsy Elves transformed the trend into a cultural phenomenon.
2. Diversify your products
Once their initial success was secured, expanding the product line helped Tipsy Elves retain loyal customers and attract new ones.
3. Leverage powerful platforms
Appearing on Shark Tank gave Tipsy Elves invaluable national exposure.
4. Harness digital marketing
Targeted and humor-driven campaigns boosted their visibility and sales.
5. Create an experience, not just a product
Tipsy Elves sells more than clothing—it delivers a dose of fun and festive spirit with every purchase.
This story is proof that the most unexpected ideas can become a roaring success with creativity, bold decisions, and strategic thinking.
So, the next time you slip on a hilariously tacky Christmas sweater, remember: behind every laugh might just be a multimillion-dollar opportunity waiting to be unwrapped. 🎄
“Ho Ho ho Merry Christmas!”
Santa Claus
