The Business Creation Project: a hands-on pathway to entrepreneurship
The Business Creation Project (BCP), integrated into the Master in Management - Grande École Program at emlyon business school, is a flagship initiative that combines entrepreneurial learning with direct interaction with the business world. Each year, it engages over 1,200 students organized into teams of six.
Since its inception in 1996, the Business Creation Project has stood out as a unique educational experience, with more than 3,500 projects completed to date, some of which have led to the creation of real businesses.
An innovative approach to developing key skills
Over three months, students participate in interactive and methodological workshops, with weekly classes designed to train them in entrepreneurship. This structure allows them to explore the inner workings of a business: workflows, decision-making, and promoting innovative ideas. Participants have two options:
- Design a business creation project, simulating all the steps necessary to transform an idea into a structured plan, from the business model to the business plan.
- Work on a real-world challenge proposed by a partner company as part of the BCP Grand Competition.
The goal of the Business Creation Project is to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, whether participants choose to launch their own businesses or work on company projects.
The central role of partner companies
Companies play a pivotal role in this program by proposing topics or challenges related to their industry, enriching students' learning experience. For the 2025 edition, three partner companies have contributed to this unique framework:
- Groupe APICIL: A leader in social protection (health, retirement, savings, etc.) and a long-standing emlyon partner, involved in various school initiatives, such as the Health and Wellness Center.
- Groupe SEB: A major player in designing and manufacturing household and kitchen equipment in France and a strategic partner of emlyon.
- Terres Inovia: An agricultural research organization promoting sustainable development in agri-food sectors.
These companies actively participate in the program, tracking students' progress and engaging at key moments, including interim milestones and the Grand Competition finale.
For businesses, the Business Creation Project offers a unique opportunity: by submitting innovation projects or practical challenges, they gain fresh ideas and solutions from students while boosting their visibility among future talent and building strong ties with emlyon's student community.
The BCP Grand Competition: a key event
Among the 100 projects undertaken during the term, approximately thirty teams worked directly on challenges proposed by the three partner companies, around three major innovation themes: the valorization of legumes to promote more nutritious, sustainable, and appealing food solutions with Terres Inovia; women’s health at every stage of life with APICIL; and the development of solutions that encourage healthy and sustainable eating for younger generations with SEB.
Following weeks of work, these projects underwent rigorous evaluation by the academic team, which selects the 8 best projects for the Business Project Grand Competition finale.
Among the finalist projects were: organic pasta enriched with legumes; an educational and playful cafeteria tray; France’s first reusable pregnancy test; a 100% natural color-changing lip balm made from legumes; instant noodles combining simplicity and nutrition; elegant adaptive clothing for women who have undergone breast surgery; a plant-based egg substitute made from legume cooking water; and a connected smart pill dispenser designed to support contraceptive adherence.
Held on December 4th in the Lyon campus auditorium, the finale marked the culmination of the program. Finalist teams presented their innovative solutions to a jury of company representatives, emlyon professors, and the Dean of Programs. Projects were assessed based on strict criteria, including solution relevance (business model, feasibility, positioning) and presentation quality.
The pitch competition took place in two stages: a first round in which eight teams had eight minutes to present and defend their projects, with the goal of remaining among the top five teams and advancing to the second stage. This final stage focused on showcasing the five best projects through a one-minute “elevator pitch.”
Six awards were presented:
- Three Jury Awards: recognizing the top three teams based on project content, pitch quality, and presentation impact—Nutri'Plate, Aquafabarik and Constance.
- Audience Favorite Award – given to the Rav! team.
- Best Video Pitch Award – earned by team Revelle.
- Best Oral Presentation Award – presented to the Constance team.
The awards ceremony was followed by a networking cocktail, providing a friendly space for exchanges between students, companies, and school members.
"What sets Master in Management students apart is their affinity for entrepreneurship and curiosity. What struck me most about the Business Project Grand Competition participants was their ability to propose innovative projects, their motivation, seriousness, and commitment," notes Maria Malkoun, Entrepreneurship and Development Project Manager at Terres Inovia.
A win-win experience for students and companies
The BCP provides students with a hands-on, practical experience, connecting them with professionals and real-world challenges. It strengthens their project management skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and creativity, all while fostering teamwork. The Grand Competition also serves as a showcase for participants to demonstrate their skills to potential future employers.
Beyond the pitch sessions, the day was enlivened by artistic highlights, including a Bollywood dance show and singing and piano performances by two Commuz students.
For businesses, it is a chance to gain fresh ideas and strengthen connections with a generation of talented, ambitious students. "Participating in these business creation projects is genuinely enriching and offers valuable insights into the educational world," explains Véronique Giubergia, Health and Welfare Offer Director at Groupe APICIL.
A program built to last
The BCP and its Business Project Grand Competition exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of emlyon's DNA. With its "we are makers" educational philosophy, the school emphasizes experiential learning through collaboration and hands-on experimentation. Constantly evolving, the Business Creation Project represents a long-term commitment: this year, the competition saw a reinvigoration with stronger partnerships and increased participation.
"Once again this year, PCE was a great success, with many innovative projects and, above all, projects with real purpose—that is, solutions that have the potential to improve quality of life or promote better health in the medium term for future users," concludes Régis Goujet, Business Creation Project Academic Director and emlyon professor.
The BCP and its Grand Competition go beyond academic exercises, providing a unique space for collaboration and idea exchange between students and companies.