Our history, dates and key figures

One of the oldest business schools in Europe

emlyon business school is a stand-alone business school that was founded in 1872 by the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry and located at the time in an 18th-century building in downtown Lyon.

The School extends today over 3 continents onto 6 campuses and is planning to expand further.

Created and still affiliated to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lyon & Region

The French “Grandes Ecoles” or business schools were created in the course of the 19th century by Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) or associations in France’s major cities in order to train and educate future managers and executives to drive commercial, financial and industrial development in their territories and administer business operations.

This model is now facing several major changes, in particular due to the sharp decrease of state subsidies received by CCIs, resulting in a progressive dis-involvement of CCIs from activities that are not core to their mission.

To address this issue, emlyon business school and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lyon Métropole, Saint-Etienne & Roanne took a fully innovative initiative and jointly decided to adjust the School’s legal structure to its changing environment and second open up the School’s capital to Staff, Alumni, institutional investors (BPI France) and Equity investors (Qualium Investissement).

The School, Chamber of Commerce and investors are bound by an Associates’ Pact that guarantees the pursuit of the School’s excellence, quality accreditation and primary location in the Lyon region.

emlyon business school is therefore a long-standing, deeply rooted and far-looking business school – a pioneer by tradition.