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HEC Paris (France)

Dare the Impossible (“Oser l’impossible”)

Founded in 1881, HEC Paris is a world-renowned business school whose primary vocation is to have an IMPACT not only on business but on society as a whole. This ambition is built on three pillars of excellence:—research (THINK), education (TEACH), and action (ACT), reflecting its commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, fostering collective learning, and unleashing human potential. Consistently ranked among the world’s leading institutions, its programs hold top positions globally.

For over 140 years, the HEC Paris community has been united by five shared values: excellence, curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, responsibility, and diversity. These values, driven by strong European roots and history, guide the school’s vision: to IMPACT business and society through research, education, and action, contributing to a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable world. HEC Paris has a deep-seated belief that long-term sustainability and ethics are core values in business. This social responsibility is the leitmotif defining much of the school’s teaching, actions and research. Its commitment to finding alternative models for running businesses is open to students from all economic and social backgrounds. Learn more

Some of HEC Paris civic engagement and impact initiatives include:

The HEC Imagine Fellows Program

Launched in 2022 by HEC Paris and the HEC Foundation, this program supports exceptional students from countries affected by war. Its goal is to promote peace, international understanding, and sustainable development by preparing future leaders who recognize the power of business as a force for positive change.

HEC Paris sees education as a key driver of peacebuilding. With a campus representing over 135 nationalities, it fosters diversity, inclusion, and dialogue across cultures. Through the Imagine Fellows Program, selected students receive scholarships covering tuition and living expenses, enabling them to pursue their studies in a supportive international environment.

These students show remarkable resilience and academic excellence, determined to rebuild their futures and contribute to their home countries. Many describe the fellowship as life-changing, offering hope, safety, and new opportunities.

Alongside financial support, HEC integrates dedicated courses such as Business & Peace and Business & Human Rights, in addition to creating the Imagine Student Society dedicated to organizing forums to explore the role of business in peacebuilding. The program reflects HEC’s belief that education can shape leaders who drive both social progress and global stability. Learn more

The Sustainability & Organizations (S&O) Institute

The Sustainability & Organizations Institute (S&O) is an interdisciplinary institute whose members study and teach about the contemporary challenges faced by organizations and how these organizations influence society. Its three pillars—research, teaching, and action—give rise to the motto: Think, Teach, Act for an inclusive and sustainable world! Established in 2009, S&O brings together over 60 professors, PhD students, research affiliates, and visiting professors to carry out research, teach, and implement ideas and projects addressing challenges such as climate constraints, social inequality, technological disruption, and ethical imperatives.

The Institute’s purpose is to reinvent business by promoting sustainability and unleashing human potential, contributing to a re-foundation of business and market organization through research, education, and action, while recognizing the role of stakeholders, including investors, civil society, and regulators. Its mission is to prepare future leaders to navigate systemic challenges with knowledge, courage, and conviction.

The Purpose Center within S&O places purpose at the heart of leadership for a responsible economy, fostering long-term value that benefits stakeholders, communities, and the environment. Through research of excellence, innovative pedagogy, and action for impact, the Center inspires students and companies toward purpose-driven business projects and leadership practices.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute

Ranked fourth out of 150 centers in Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2025 by the Financial Times, the IEI Institute supports innovators and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. In the face of major economic, environmental, and societal transitions, HEC Paris believes that entrepreneurship can be a powerful driver of inclusion. In this context, the IEI’s Social Entrepreneurship Center is committed to contributing to a more inclusive and fairer world. It develops impact-driven programs that put the school’s excellence at the service of society. Through its programs for individuals and organizations, and its strong local presence, the Center aims to make entrepreneurship a lever for social transformation and inclusion, through different programs, such as:

  • The Accélérateur ESS: aimed at French players in the social and solidarity economy (SSE) who want to change scale and multiply their social and environmental impact. For 24 months, accelerated structures benefit from support based on three pillars: mentoring, consulting, training and networking.
  • HEC Stand Up, which offers free support to all women who want to start their own business, whatever their age, background or social horizon. With support focused on “business” skills and soft skills, it enables participants to embark on their entrepreneurial adventure with peace of mind. Launched in 2018, HEC Stand Up has also shown a positive impact on the employability of women wishing to return to work at the end of the program.
  • HEC Level Up, which promotes the autonomy and economic independence of young people (age 18 to 25) who are not in education, employment, or training by providing them with essential entrepreneurial skills. Completely free for participants, its goal is to give young people the freedom to choose their path, whether that means continuing their education, finding a job, or starting their own business. Learn more

HEC Foundation

The HEC Foundation supports HEC’s ambitions by promoting social and international diversity, pedagogical innovation, faculty excellence and research, improved student facilities and student services. Each year, the HEC Foundation finances more than 1 000 scholarships for students of the Grande Ecole program, the MBA program, the PhD program, as well as helping students in preparatory classes. Learn more