HEC in the press

The Parliament Magazine reports that renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are driving up energy prices and exposing Europe’s continued dependence on fossil fuel imports. Alberto Alemanno, law professor at HEC Paris Business School, criticises the EU’s inconsistent approach, arguing that short-term emergency measures cannot replace structural policies to reduce dependency, and that the crisis underscores the strategic importance of accelerating the green transition.

Leaders watching banks may miss the real signal. In an op-ed for Forbes US, HEC Paris Business School professor Quirin Fleckenstein shows how nonbanks drive the sharpest credit swings.

In an op-ed published in Sustainable Views, professor at HEC Paris Business School Olivier Darmouni argues that Europe’s fragmented energy policies are weakening both its economic resilience and climate ambitions. He calls for the creation of a European “energy and climate central bank” to coordinate long-term strategy, stabilise costs and mobilise large-scale investment in decarbonisation.

François Gemenne, professor at HEC Paris Business School, argues in Reuters that a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could accelerate Europe’s green transition. He suggests that rising energy security concerns and geopolitical tensions could push Europe to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen its green industry as a strategic priority.

Poets & Quants reports that U.S. firms continue to dominate the latest HEC Paris–Dow Jones Upper MidMarket Performance Ranking, with 18 of the top 20 firms based in the United States. Developed by Oliver Gottschalg, professor at HEC Paris Business School, the ranking highlights the importance of experience and diversified investment strategies in driving long-term performance.

Tech Funding News reports that Time4, a fund launched with HEC Paris alongside Daphni and several partners, has reached a €50 million first close to back underrepresented entrepreneurs across France. Targeting pre-seed and seed stages, the initiative aims to invest in around 60 startups while addressing structural biases in venture capital and fostering a more diverse pipeline of founders.

This week, HEC researchers surface across interviews, debates and long-form features in outlets as different as L'Express, Nouvel Obs, Tradingsat, Madame Figaro, Public Senat, Euronews and WTX News. The coverage helps readers and viewers make sense of issues that range from French local politics, public finance, market reactions and artificial intelligence to the European Union's response to the international crisis in Iran. 

Fortune explores the rapid rise of AI infrastructure startup Nscale as Europe seeks to expand its computing capacity, while questioning whether the sector’s massive investments are sustainable. Olivier Darmouni, Associate Professor at HEC Paris, warns that AI infrastructure companies are building data centres faster than they are generating revenue, making their long-term business model a high-risk bet despite strong demand.

Euronews reports on the EU’s "Buy European" plan, a major industrial policy initiative aimed at prioritising European production in strategic sectors, but one that faces significant economic and political hurdles. Alberto Alemanno, professor at HEC Paris Business School, warns that a broad application could raise costs and expose structural weaknesses, arguing that such a policy should be limited to clearly defined strategic areas rather than applied indiscriminately.

When “budget better” turns moral: in an op-ed for Forbes US, HEC Paris Business School professor Lisa Baudot reveals how retirees’ discipline normalizes risk pushed from institutions to households.