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Since 2015, the student association How I Met Your Start-Up has been on a mission to bridge the gap between students and the entrepreneurial world. By organizing a variety of events, ranging from conferences to a public speaking competition, the association provides students with opportunities to experience entrepreneurship firsthand. “We want to inspire students to embrace entrepreneurship,” says Théo VANHILLE, the association’s chairman and a Master’s cycle student in the Grande École program at IÉSEG.

The public speaking competition: a growing success

‘How I Met Your Start-Up’ is best known for one of its key events: the public speaking competition. For its 10th edition, the event held in a hybrid format brought together nearly 700 in-person attendees and around 100 viewers live on YouTube. More than just a competition, the event enabled eight students to pitch French start-up projects to a jury of professionals. Careful planning and meticulous execution transformed the contest into a spectacular show.

Marie ROBERT, this year’s grand prize winner, captivated the audience with her pitch for Charlotte, an app designed by Ali BLALI to fight against street harassment. This experience allowed her to step into the shoes of an entrepreneur and sharpen her pitching skills. “It’s not just a competition; it has evolved into a genuine showcase of innovative projects. It provides students with opportunities to enhance their public speaking skills while offering both the audience and the jury a dynamic and captivating experience,” explains Charles HEMERY, start-ups coordinator and a student in the Grande École Program (Master’s cycle). “Seeing the venue gradually fill up gave me butterflies—it was a truly euphoric moment!” adds Théo VANHILLE.

Beyond the competition, How I Met Your Start-Up also spotlighted other IÉSEG student associations during the event. Groups like IÉSEG Danse and the cheerleading team performed, while the Bureau des Arts set up a caricature stand and a musical duo performance during the cocktail hour. The Bureau des Jeux hosted chess games and other mini games, creating a festive and engaging atmosphere. Partner organizations, including Caisse d’Épargne, Banque de France, and the French Public Finance Department, also hosted stands, enhancing the event’s fun and friendly yet professional environment. The IÉSEG alumni community was also represented in the competition jury, thanks to the collaboration with IÉSEG Network.

“Organizing this event is a true human adventure where you meet incredible people—it’s a reflection of my overall experience at IÉSEG, and that’s what I’ll remember most after graduation,” says Théo VANHILLE.

Immersive events to foster entrepreneurial spirit

How I Met Your Start-Up doesn’t stop there. The association also hosts immersive events such as the “Entrepreneurial Night,” where students, often strangers to each other, are coached by local entrepreneurs to develop innovative projects overnight. This intense, hands-on experience gives participants a glimpse into the reality of launching a start-up. “It’s an exciting and challenging experience that prepares students for the real-world demands of entrepreneurship,” notes Théo VANHILLE.

The association is also striving to support projects born during the event. “We aim to ensure these projects don’t remain one-night ideas but are nurtured with the help of entities within our network, such as the IÉSEG incubator or financial partners, to turn them into fully-fledged start-ups,” adds Charles HEMERY. Additionally, the group organizes a start-up forum that connects students with young businesses, helping them secure internships and gain early professional experience. Through these initiatives, students gain tangible opportunities to immerse themselves in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

An association committed to today’s challenges with ambitious goals

From the beginning, the association has prioritized partnering with high-standard start-ups. Collaborations with incubators like EuraTechnologies and Eurasanté ensure that the chosen projects meet high social and environmental standards. “We want to support start-ups that are in line with IÉSEG’s values and our personal beliefs by focusing on social and ecological challenges,” Charles emphasizes.

Looking ahead, How I Met Your Start-Up aspires to deepen its role as a bridge between entrepreneurs and its extensive network. “Our goal is to provide an even more immersive experience for students while helping start-ups grow,” concludes Théo VANHILLE.

With its dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and its ability to connect students and start-ups, How I Met Your Start-Up stands out as a key player in IÉSEG’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.