HEC Challenge +
HEC Challenge + HEC Challenge +
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Language: French
About the program
The HEC Challenge+ program helps creators of innovative projects with high growth potential to develop their business plans and supports them in their development. Its educational formula combines training, consulting, and personalized follow-up.
The diversity of the HEC Challenge+ network, as well as the breadth and quality of its experts, make it a unique initiative. A pioneer in training for innovative entrepreneurs, HEC Challenge+ is clearly established as the undisputed leader in its market.
HEC Challenge +
Objectives
For over 35 years, HEC Challenge+ has been guiding scientific entrepreneurs and innovators to:
Design, write and present a business plan using a proven methodological framework
Implement the innovative/entrepreneurial project with partners/pilots to test its viability
Design a comprehensive, viable business plan based on key metrics, founded on market analysis, a clear competitive advantage, and an economic model to convince stakeholders
Communicate the project to investors, partners, or decision-makers to persuade them of the project's relevance and attractiveness
The spirit of the program
The HEC Challenge experience also cultivates a mindset because management cannot be improvised! It entails:
- Providing you with benchmarks, reflexes, and inspiration
- Allowing you to exchange with your peers, develop a real cohort spirit, and benefit from it
- Testing the team (1 to 3 co-founders per project)
Evaluation modalities
Each participant is individually assessed through a quiz on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. The final assessment takes the form of a complete business plan — defended in writing and orally, alone or as a team — and a pitch presented before a jury.
Program certification
Upon successful completion, participants receive a nationally recognized certification — equivalent to a professional graduate-level credential — accredited under reference RNCP 39423.
RNCP*: 39423BC04 - Design, Write, and Present a Business Plan for an Innovative or Entrepreneurial Project.
*Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles is the government body that validates and guarantees the quality of professional training programs in France.
Inside the program
- Two intakes per year
- 22 days spread over eight months (February to October, or October to May)
- 8 monthly action-learning seminars
- 5 sessions on the HEC Paris campus and 3 sessions online
- Academic content is delivered by HEC Paris faculty, complemented by hands-on coaching sessions and talks from seasoned entrepreneurs.
- Diagnostic seminars
- Business fundamentals: strategy, marketing, finance, HR and more
- Entrepreneurial practice: intellectual property, investor relations, business development, negotiation and more.
Please note: this certificate cannot be used as credit toward other programs.
The flagship companies of HEC CHALLENGE+
Selection process
The selection process consists of four steps and is entirely online.
Please note that the time between the Grand Jury decision and the start of classes is approximately 3 weeks.
Phone interview
Application
Selection committee
Grand Jury
Join the HEC Challenge+ adventure!
Key Figures
900
startups supported
7
IPOs
1B €
raised from investors
94 %
Taux de réussite à la certification (2025)
4,9/5
De taux global de satisfaction (2025)
42%
de femmes porteuses de projet (2025)
Who can join?
The program is aimed at entrepreneurs with innovative and high-tech projects, specifically those who meet the following criteria:
- Being the initiator of a project (or an already established company) that is innovative in technology or services
- Being a scientist, engineer, self-taught individual, etc.
- Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit
- Leading a business project with high development potential
The program is also accessible to non-project initiators. To be eligible:
- Being a project supporter within an incubation structure
- Being employed by a company whose founders have previously participated in the program
The program is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Please contact us to discuss any additional needs or to obtain the Public Accessibility Register.
Chiffres de 2025
94 %
Taux de réussite à la certification (2025)
4,9/5
De taux global de satisfaction (2025)
42%
de femmes porteuses de projet (2025)
Dive into the heart of the HEC Forum
The HEC Forum is the culmination of the 9-month Challenge+ program. Participants pitch their projects to experts and investors. A memorable experience that concludes the program...
Program Fees
The market price for the Challenge+ program is €30,000.
However, HEC Paris is committed to supporting the entrepreneurship of tomorrow and deep tech. For this reason, the HEC Foundation and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute offer excellence scholarships to participants who meet the quality criteria, covering most of the training cost with the support of our associated partners. The training prices for these profiles are as follows:
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If you are a project initiator: €6,500 (incl. VAT)
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Price reduction based on the number of initiators:
- 2 initiators: €5,000 (incl. VAT) per initiator
- 3 initiators: €4,500 (incl. VAT) per initiator
-
If you are a non-project participant: €6,500 (incl. VAT)
Training eligible for OPCO and the Personal Training Account (CPF)
HEC Challenge+ Afrique
HEC Challenge+ croit en la force des écosystèmes locaux. En s'implantant à Dakar et Abidjan, le programme apporte sa méthode éprouvée au service des entrepreneurs africains les plus ambitieux.
HEC Challenge + worldwide
Our partners
Pedagogical team
The academic team brings together professors from HEC Paris, industry experts, and former Challenge+ participants — entrepreneurs who have experienced the program firsthand and now share their insights based on real-world experience.
Etienne Krieger
Frédéric Iselin
Adama Touré
Alexandre Lamy
Sebastian Becker
Michael LOY
Marc Beretta
Alexis John Ahyee
THE SUPPORT TEAM
Actualités
