Option Start UP, Paris

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Option Startup is an annual event in Paris that introduces high school and middle school students to the world of innovation and entrepreneurship.
What are the main aims and objectives?

The program's main aims are to expose young people to real-world innovation environments, showcase innovative startup projects, and provide opportunities for students to meet and interact with entrepreneurs. By allowing students to explore innovative spaces and discover startup projects under the guidance of their teachers, Option Startup seeks to inspire future career paths in innovation and business development. Option Startup also aims to give students insight into various professional profiles within the startup ecosystem, potentially sparking their interest in entrepreneurship and innovation at an early age.

How does the program work?

The program typically runs for about a week in October. During this time, students have the opportunity to explore innovative spaces, discover startup projects, and meet entrepreneurs under the guidance of their teachers.

The program works by inviting classes to visit one of the 120 participating innovation sites throughout France, including incubators, business incubators, and other innovative spaces. Over the course of two days, students engage in a variety of interactive activities, including meetings, demonstrations, and practical workshops. The program offers 300 interactive programs centered around 24 different themes, providing a comprehensive overview of the startup ecosystem.

To participate in Option Startup, teachers can pre-register their classes through the official website. This pre-registration process typically takes place from May to July, allowing organizers to tailor the experience to the expectations of both teachers and students. The program's structure enables students to gain firsthand exposure to the entrepreneurial world, potentially inspiring future career paths in innovation and business development.

What is the overall cost?

There is no available information about the cost of running Option Startup.

How was it implemented?

Option Startup was initially launched as a two-day programmed by the City of Paris in 2015. 

What impact has been measured?

The program involves over 15,000 young participants from 16 academic regions across France each year.

What lessons can be learned?
  1. Early Exposure to Entrepreneurship: Introducing students to the world of innovation and entrepreneurship at a young age can have a significant impact. Programs like Option Startup aim to expose high school and middle school students to real-world innovation environments, potentially inspiring future career paths.
  2. Hands-on Learning: Entrepreneurship education is most effective when it combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Many programs in Paris, such as the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad, emphasize hands-on learning through masterclasses, coaching sessions, and pitch events.
  3. Ecosystem Integration: Successful entrepreneurship programs often leverage the local startup ecosystem. Paris has developed a robust network of incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs like Station F, which provide valuable resources and connections for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Notes + Additional Context

Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship (excerpt from Nesta's ‘Idea Bank’ for Local Policymakers):

Various initiatives exist to promote youth entrepreneurship, often led by universities or public-private partnerships. Some focus on teaching the fundamentals of starting a business and providing the appropriate tools; others may focus on promoting role models to inspire budding entrepreneurs, and highlighting entrepreneurship as a viable option alongside more traditional career paths.

From a policy perspective, several policymakers have focused on including entrepreneurship in the school or university curriculum; others have focused more on promoting innovative ideas by means of competitions and hackathons (either within schools or between them). Educating career advisors about the importance of entrepreneurship as a career option, and ensuring that their institution does not have performance indicators which inadvertently bias towards traditional employment, also matters. 

CURATED BY

Simona Bielli

Research Programme Coordinator – Digital Startups
Nesta
United Kingdom