Building the bridge between Science and Business.
Celebrating its 5th anniversary at HEC Paris, Creative Destruction Lab is a global startup program for science-based companies. We use an objectives-based mentoring process by a selected group of accomplished entrepreneurs, scientists, industry executives, economists, and investors.
Celebrating its 5th anniversary at HEC Paris, Creative Destruction Lab is a global startup program for science-based companies. We use an objectives-based mentoring process by a selected group of accomplished entrepreneurs, scientists, industry executives, economists, and investors.
The CDL-Paris Climate Stream focuses on identifying and supporting technological startups that address current and future climate challenges, such as sustainable bio-innovations for materials and chemicals, or resilient systems and infrastructures for energy, manufacturing, or agriculture.
The CDL-Paris Climate Stream focuses on identifying and supporting technological startups that address current and future climate challenges, such as sustainable bio-innovations for materials and chemicals, or resilient systems and infrastructures for energy, manufacturing, or agriculture.
The CDL-Paris Next Generation Computing Stream focuses on identifying and supporting startups that support the future of our computing infrastructure. We aim both to strengthen existing capabilities with new components architectures and designs, and to explore new computing paradigms such as quantum or neuromorphic computing.
The Next Geneneration Computing stream is jointly operated in partnership between HEC Paris and ESMT Berlin, and in cooperation with the Technical University Munich (TUM) and Campus Founders.
The CDL-Paris Next Generation Computing Stream focuses on identifying and supporting startups that support the future of our computing infrastructure. We aim both to strengthen existing capabilities with new components architectures and designs, and to explore new computing paradigms such as quantum or neuromorphic computing.
The Next Geneneration Computing stream is jointly operated in partnership between HEC Paris and ESMT Berlin, and in cooperation with the Technical University Munich (TUM) and Campus Founders.
In 2024, XPRIZE selected Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) as its strategic partner for the Carbon Removal Prize, an ambitious $100 million initiative designed to combat climate change by rebalancing Earth’s carbon cycle. This collaboration brought together CDL’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of science for the betterment of humankind with XPRIZE’s vision of advancing solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges.The program concluded in 2025 with a final session at Station F, hosted by CDL-Paris, marking a key milestone in the development of high-potential carbon removal ventures.In 2024, XPRIZE selected Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) as its strategic partner for the Carbon Removal prize, an ambitious $100 million initiative designed to combat climate change by rebalancing Earth’s carbon cycle. This collaboration brings together the strength of CDL’s mission to enhance the commercialization of science for the betterment of humankind with the transformative vision of XPRIZE in accelerating solutions toward humanity’s grand challenges.
In 2024, XPRIZE selected Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) as its strategic partner for the Carbon Removal Prize, an ambitious $100 million initiative designed to combat climate change by rebalancing Earth’s carbon cycle. This collaboration brought together CDL’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of science for the betterment of humankind with XPRIZE’s vision of advancing solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges.The program concluded in 2025 with a final session at Station F, hosted by CDL-Paris, marking a key milestone in the development of high-potential carbon removal ventures.In 2024, XPRIZE selected Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) as its strategic partner for the Carbon Removal prize, an ambitious $100 million initiative designed to combat climate change by rebalancing Earth’s carbon cycle. This collaboration brings together the strength of CDL’s mission to enhance the commercialization of science for the betterment of humankind with the transformative vision of XPRIZE in accelerating solutions toward humanity’s grand challenges.
The CDL-Paris AI Stream focuses on identifying and supporting startups that push the frontier of AI use. We target technologies that integrate AI in the physical world, such as autonomous systems, robotics, digital twins and simulations, as well as tooling solutions that ensure the integrity of AI tools.
The CDL-Paris AI Stream focuses on identifying and supporting startups that push the frontier of AI use. We target technologies that integrate AI in the physical world, such as autonomous systems, robotics, digital twins and simulations, as well as tooling solutions that ensure the integrity of AI tools.
The CDL-Paris Space Stream focuses on identifying and supporting startups in the space industry, both upstream (accessing space) and downstream (using space assets). We target long-term space use challenges, such as increasing sustainable access to space or operating safely and durably in space.
The CDL-Paris Space Stream focuses on identifying and supporting startups in the space industry, both upstream (accessing space) and downstream (using space assets). We target long-term space use challenges, such as increasing sustainable access to space or operating safely and durably in space.
Celebrating 35 years since its creation, HEC Challenge+ empowers researchers and founders of high-growth, innovative projects through a unique mix of training, expert consulting, and tailored support. Backed by a unique community, it stands as a pioneering leader in entrepreneurial education.
Celebrating 35 years since its creation, HEC Challenge+ empowers researchers and founders of high-growth, innovative projects through a unique mix of training, expert consulting, and tailored support. Backed by a unique community, it stands as a pioneering leader in entrepreneurial education.
A pioneer in entrepreneurship education, HEC Challenge+ has established itself as a leading reference for supporting innovative founders, now contributing to the development of dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems in Africa.
Launched in Abidjan in 2021, HEC Challenge+ Africa brings one of HEC Paris’s flagship entrepreneurship programs to the continent, supporting the emergence of high-potential, innovation-driven ventures.
30 startups supported in 2024 1 promotion per year
A pioneer in entrepreneurship education, HEC Challenge+ has established itself as a leading reference for supporting innovative founders, now contributing to the development of dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems in Africa.
Launched in Abidjan in 2021, HEC Challenge+ Africa brings one of HEC Paris’s flagship entrepreneurship programs to the continent, supporting the emergence of high-potential, innovation-driven ventures.
30 startups supported in 2024 1 promotion per year
Expanded to Dakar in 2023, the program assists project leaders in structuring and developing their business plans through a unique educational approach that combines training, expert consulting, and personalized follow-up. Leveraging the strength and diversity of the HEC Challenge+ network—along with the breadth and quality of its experts—the program provides entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and connections needed to accelerate their growth.
30 startups supported in 2024 1 promotion per year.
Expanded to Dakar in 2023, the program assists project leaders in structuring and developing their business plans through a unique educational approach that combines training, expert consulting, and personalized follow-up. Leveraging the strength and diversity of the HEC Challenge+ network—along with the breadth and quality of its experts—the program provides entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and connections needed to accelerate their growth.
30 startups supported in 2024 1 promotion per year.
What if we applied a startup mindset to R&D projects — blending lab research, academia, business, and innovation? This is the foundation of our intensive 3-month program designed to accelerate the go-to-market journey of R&D initiatives. The program helps reduce uncertainty while saving time, effort, and resources typically spent on exploring new opportunities.
What if we applied a startup mindset to R&D projects — blending lab research, academia, business, and innovation? This is the foundation of our intensive 3-month program designed to accelerate the go-to-market journey of R&D initiatives. The program helps reduce uncertainty while saving time, effort, and resources typically spent on exploring new opportunities.
In 2025, our Deep Tech Center welcomed 17 startups into a new program. The goal is to identify early-stage deep tech startups and support them in developing and maturing their projects to prepare for the next phase.
In 2025, our Deep Tech Center welcomed 17 startups into a new program. The goal is to identify early-stage deep tech startups and support them in developing and maturing their projects to prepare for the next phase.
Created in 2024 and announced in January 2025, the lab will investigate the dynamics of mentorship by focusing on how to optimize selection and how to improve matching, interaction methods, and incentives. With the goal of disseminating actionable insights to enhance mentorship effectiveness, the ION Management Science Lab is set to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications.
The lab is under the direction of two HEC Paris professors: Professor Carlos Serrano (Scientific Director) and Professor Thomas Åstebro (Executive Director). This initiative is backed by a generous 10 million Euro gift from the ION Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Italian entrepreneur Andrea Pignataro.
Created in 2024 and announced in January 2025, the lab will investigate the dynamics of mentorship by focusing on how to optimize selection and how to improve matching, interaction methods, and incentives. With the goal of disseminating actionable insights to enhance mentorship effectiveness, the ION Management Science Lab is set to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications.
The lab is under the direction of two HEC Paris professors: Professor Carlos Serrano (Scientific Director) and Professor Thomas Åstebro (Executive Director). This initiative is backed by a generous 10 million Euro gift from the ION Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Italian entrepreneur Andrea Pignataro.
Delivered in partnership with iXcampus, LuminEdge is a tailored 24-month support program designed for ambitious deep tech projects. Participants join a cohort of around ten ventures facing similar technological and commercial challenges, fostering peer learning and shared momentum.
Following an initial diagnostic phase — and, where relevant, dedicated entrepreneurial support provided by our partner Deeptech Founders — each project benefits from fully customized guidance. There are no masterclasses or e-learning modules: the program is entirely hands-on and needs-driven.
Delivered in partnership with iXcampus, LuminEdge is a tailored 24-month support program designed for ambitious deep tech projects. Participants join a cohort of around ten ventures facing similar technological and commercial challenges, fostering peer learning and shared momentum.
Following an initial diagnostic phase — and, where relevant, dedicated entrepreneurial support provided by our partner Deeptech Founders — each project benefits from fully customized guidance. There are no masterclasses or e-learning modules: the program is entirely hands-on and needs-driven.
