SquareLab, an incubator within the ESC Clermont Business School
The ESC Clermont Business School created the SquareLab business incubator in 2013. The structure is dedicated to support student entrepreneurs as well as project leaders and provides the best environment to fulfill their innovative ideas.
The presence of an incubator within a business school encourages student entrepreneurship and allows them to tackle the creation of a company efficiently. The SquareLab structure is there to guide future entrepreneurs via the exchange of experience, methodology, tools, and knowledge. It encourages a culture and network conducive to the realization and success of a start-up project.
The ESC’s SquareLab offers programs adapted to the needs of entrepreneurs geared to assist them with the formalization of ideas, give them opportunities to experiment as well as search for initial financing.
How do I join the business school incubator?
SquareLab is an “Open Incubator”, created within our business school, but open to any person, student, employee, or job seeker who wishes to carry out an innovative project. Do you have an innovative idea or are you hoping to start a business that you feel strongly about? Are you looking for professionals and a network to help you get started? Do you want to acquire the necessary skills to achieve your ambition? By joining SquareLab, you will benefit from a stimulating work environment, expert advice, and personalized support from professionals from various backgrounds.
How to join the business school’s incubator?
The integration into the ESC Business School incubator is conditioned by an interview with a selection committee. Depending on the degree of maturity of your project, the committee will propose the most suitable program to support you and offer you personalized assistance.
The SquareLab provides co-working space and a support structure that provides a start-up methodology, tools, knowledge, dynamic environment, and a solid support network to ensure that your entrepreneurial adventure will be successful. The SquareLab nurtures every aspect of the start-up process, from the very first idea to the creation of the company and its initial financing. The ESC Clermont BS SquareLab is one of the best ways of launching an entrepreneurship project. Its doors are open to students and external project leaders, offering guidance to its “incubees” and expert guidance from professionals of law, communication, marketing, design, innovation, etc. At the SquareLab you will find an ideal environment for support, work, networking, and organizing events.
Applications to join the incubator are organized twice a year (in May and November). At the end of the program, each student will be awarded with the Startup Culture Certificate and get the necessary support for his or her incubated project.
Together with the Groupe ESC Clermont Foundation, the SquareLab also organizes the award of Startup Scholarships every year.
Finally, ESC Clermont SquareLab hosts the annual “Hashtag Startup Challenge” event for students in the Master Grande Ecole (2nd year) with the participation of local innovative companies.
