Startup Programs

Built for every stage of your journey.

Our programs aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re designed around where you are right now — and where you’re trying to go. External founders can enter at any stage.

All programs include 1:1 coaching and dedicated mentoring.

Ready to go further?

Join our most exclusive circle of entrepreneurs.

Star Program

Boost-Le-Club

Our most exclusive circle. Open to the most ambitious founders — independently of which program they came from.

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What Le Club gives you
ESA Cluster: AI Lab, research, talent & media
International soft-landing & exposure trips
TV, radio, press & media visibility
Investor meet-ups & pitching competitions
Opportunities in EU, GCC, Africa & LatAm
Corporate bridges & strategic partnerships
French Tech & international network
Featured as Le Club Star across all channels
Prix Entrepreneur ESA–HEC
Flagship Award · Le Club Exclusive

In partnership with L’Orient-Le-Jour and HEC Paris, the Prix Entrepreneur ESA–HEC offers Le Club members the chance to compete for a 6-month residency at Station F — the world’s largest startup campus, in the heart of Paris.

International residency at Station F, HEC Paris Incubateur
Financial support covering stay and programme costs
Round-trip Beirut–Paris flights
2-month pre-departure preparation included
Station F Soft Landing Champion role upon completion
Apply for Le Club ›
Soft-Landing Partners — Available to Le Club Members
HEC Paris Lebanon Alumni Chapter
Lebanon & France
  • All sectors
  • General Tech
Paris Santé / Future4Care
Paris
  • Health
  • MedTech
Le Perqo
France
  • Health
  • Impact
  • Women Entrepreneurship
Accélérateur M
Marseille | Mediterranean / Africa focus
HEC Paris Incubateur at Station F
Paris
  • All sectors
  • General Tech

Stage 1

Boost2Idea

Your idea is raw. That’s exactly where we start.

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Description & Objectives

A 3-month programme for students and early-stage innovators who have an idea — or want to find one. Through workshops, bootcamps, mentoring, and 1:1 coaching, participants learn how to generate, validate, and stress-test ideas using creative, market-driven, and AI-assisted methods. No business background required.

Get ideas through creative methods and AI-assisted discovery
Secure & validate your idea against real market conditions
Focus on creativity, pivoting, and rapid testing
What you commit to
Submission of a validated idea + go-to-market outline at programme close
Compliance with ESA/SmartESA code of conduct
Active peer collaboration and cohort participation
What you get
Creative thinking formation: biomimicry, design thinking, AI-assisted research
Networking: SmartESA community, ESA alumni, and fellow founders
Access to ESA and École 42 peer community
Move from idea to business model — with structured validation at every step

Stage 2

Boost2Market

You have an idea. Now prove it can sell.

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Description & Objectives

Boost2Market helps startups prove that their solution can work and sell in the real market. Delivered through expert-led clinics and milestone-based checkpoints — no fixed calendar; you progress at your own rhythm.

Market validation: test your solution against real customers
Business model: build and stress-test a sustainable model
Go-to-market: develop your sales strategy and first channels
Investor readiness: financial model and KPI dashboard
Requirement: Validated idea and/or early MVP or prototype.
What you commit to
Monthly written progress reports to SmartESA
Active participation in clinics, workshops, and events
Acknowledge SmartESA as supporting partner in public materials
Disclose material developments (fundraising, partnerships, changes)
What you get
Company registration and legal structuring support
MVP development guidance and prototyping
First sales and customer validation coaching
Financing strategy and investor KPI definition
Sector clustering with founders in your industry
Eligibility for Prix Entrepreneur ESA–HEC upon completion

Stage 3

Boost2Success

Preparing you for international soft-landing and investment readiness.

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Description & Objectives

Boost2Success prepares startups with proven traction to take their venture global — through intensive coaching on internationalisation, investment readiness, and soft-landing.

Internationalisation: market entry for Europe, GCC, and MENA
Investment readiness: pitch coaching, term sheets, VC conversations
Soft-landing prep: legal, IP, international communications & networks
Prix Entrepreneur ESA–HEC: competition for Station F residency in Paris
Eligibility: Working MVP, existing sales or market traction, completion of or equivalent to Boost2Market.
What you commit to
Monthly reports on KPIs, milestones, and challenges
Biweekly updates during residency period
Continuous presence at host programme location
Acknowledge SmartESA & ESA in all pitch and investor materials
Station F participants: act as Soft Landing Champion for other SmartESA startups in France
What you get
Formal nomination into partner international incubator
Financial support for stay and programme-related costs
Round-trip flights to destination
2-month pre-departure preparation: IP, international law, storytelling
Introductions to European ecosystem players
Automatic induction into Boost-Le-Club upon completion

All Stages

Boost2Privé

1:1 tailored coaching available across all program stages.

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Description & Objectives

An invite-only, 1:1 tailored coaching track available across all program stages. Paired with a senior SmartESA mentor for a fully customised engagement built around your specific stage and goals. No fixed timeline — runs in parallel with any other program. Mandatory for HEC Paris graduates.