“Sell before you’re ready.”

This was one of the key takeaways HEC Paris Executive MBA Alumni and CEO of Innovinco, Tom Pullen, wanted to leave current EMBA students with, during a recent field visit to Station F in Paris for their Test Your Startup Project Specialization.

As part of the excursion to the world’s largest startup campus, the executive heard from three CEOs, including Tom Pullen, about their journey into entrepreneurship, giving the students a chance to hear about what to expect when building a business from scratch.

The Innovinco founder said he relished the opportunity to share his experience with the EMBA participants, who are in the same position he was three years ago before embarking on his own entrepreneurial endeavor.

“When you’re creating a business for the first time, there are certain stages that everyone goes through, and it’s great to be able to capitalize on the real-life experiences of someone who’s already been there. Not only to capitalize on what they did right, but also to avoid making their mistakes!” said Tom.

Having been through the Specialization himself, Tom knew exactly the kind of information that would be applicable for the visiting cohort.

“This specialization is an amazing opportunity to absorb a huge quantity of knowledge and expertise about entrepreneurship in just a few days. You leave the program feeling much more confident in your ability to become a successful entrepreneur,” he added.

“When you’re creating a business for the first time, there are certain stages that everyone goes through, and it’s great to be able to capitalize on the real-life experiences of someone who’s already been there.” Tom Pullen – Founder & CEO, Innovinco

The group also heard from two more CEOs from HEC’s Incubator Program, including Valérian Giesz, founder and CEO of Quandela, whose mission is to turn quantum mechanics into the business of tomorrow; and Anaïs Barut, founder and CEO of Damae Medical, whose technology has revolutionized non-invasive skin cancer detection.

This Specialization is aimed at executives and senior managers who are seriously thinking about committing themselves to new business ventures as either entrepreneurs, investors or consultants. To successfully launch a startup, or take over an existing one, it is vital to master key areas of management such as marketing, strategy, HR and finance. Giving EMBA participants the opportunity to listen to real-life experiences from entrepreneurs who have been through the intricacies of starting a business, and ask them questions, is an important part of the learning experience.

HEC Paris Executive MBA participant Florent Millecam, during the program’s field visit to Station F in Paris.

“This Specialization gives me the opportunity to put my project in front of real investors and presentation professionals, as well as successful entrepreneurs, to benefit both from their insight and feedback,” Florent Millecam, Executive MBA participant. 

HEC Paris Executive MBA student Florent Millecam, a business developer and journalist, joined the innovation focused Specialization because he has his own entrepreneurial project, which he wants to bring into the next stage of the development.

“This Specialization gives me the opportunity to put my project in front of real investors and presentation professionals, as well as successful entrepreneurs, to benefit both from their insight and feedback,” the Executive MBA participant said.

“During the first day of the Specialization, I found the visit to the startup incubator Station F, along with the presentation of HEC’s entrepreneurs’ companies, to be really inspiring!” he added.

 

To find out more about the Executive MBA and the Specializations, visit our website.