The Institute for impactful entrepreneurship and innovation
"We are makers", at the heart of our DNA
The maker spirit is at the heart of emlyon business school's DNA. It is based on a conception of learning founded not only on the transfer of academic knowledge, but also on the "learning experience", which enables students to forge a constant link between reflection and action: "doing to learn, learning to do".
Through these collective and individual learning experiences, emlyon aims to train responsible managers to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. This public-interest vocation is at the heart of the School's identity and became part of its articles of association in 2021 when emlyon became a company with a mission.
Entrepreneurial spirit, one of the 5 qualities of a maker
The "Resonance 2028" strategic plan is built around five qualities expected of our students, "makers" capable of exploring alternative futures, building and acting: academic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, commitment, hybrid knowledge and resonance.
The second pillar of this plan is the entrepreneurial spirit, which goes back to the very essence of the school.
Created on the initiative of silk entrepreneurs to offer theoretical and practical training to their future leaders, emlyon business school has placed the spirit of enterprise and innovation at the heart of its history since 1872. Entrepreneurship has taken the form of numerous initiatives within the school: training, research, student projects, etc.
An institute to embody the entrepreneurial spirit
The aim of the Institute for Impactful Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I2E) is to enhance the visibility, clarity and coordination of emlyon's entrepreneurship offering for students, alumni and external stakeholders: campus, educational programmes, faculty, research, incubation and acceleration. Through entrepreneurship and innovation, the school aims to help create positive and lasting change in society and encourage companies and students to think responsibly.
The Institute has two areas of expertise:
Innovation
The Institute's Innovation Unit explores the way in which technological, environmental and societal developments are profoundly challenging the way in which organisations carry out far-reaching transformations in their strategies and modes of organisation.
Here are some of the themes we are working on: how accelerated changes in technology (e.g. artificial intelligence), the natural environment (e.g. climate change) and societies (e.g. demands for identity) are leading entrepreneurs, start-ups and medium-sized and large organisations to interact with their respective landscapes and make a positive impact.
Entrepreneurship
The Institute's Entrepreneurship Unit explores the way in which entrepreneurs, start-ups, growing businesses, family businesses and medium-sized companies assess and seize opportunities (regulatory, technological, societal, etc.) to create their own business or develop their growth.
Here are some of the issues we are working on: how do entrepreneurs develop practices that enable them to navigate uncertainty, manage ambiguity and adopt innovative ways of thinking and acting? How can we go beyond opportunities motivated by profit and identify those encouraged by the well-being of society and positive management of the environment?
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Innovation, as in technological, environmental and societal changes, allow entrepreneurs to envision and to orchestrate new economic and social activities to introduce new solutions (services and products) to markets.
- Entrepreneurs are present in new independent start-ups.
- Entrepreneurs are also present in larger more established organizations.
- Using their talents and mindsets, they invest resources to create, change, grow, and prepare their organizations for new futures.
- Entrepreneurs, through their actions, are change agents in economies and societies, generating societal, economic and environmental wealth.
- Innovation needs to be encouraged, sustained and developed so that entrepreneurs can change and grow our society and economy.
