HOPPS Group, KEDGE Business School and Aix-Marseille Université join forces to create a unique program for entrepreneurship

The creation of this unique research, training and mentoring program has a double objective: to promote entrepreneurship as a way of the future and to encourage ALL young entrepreneurs to start their own business. It responds to both the theoretical and practical needs of future entrepreneurs.

The research and training component is carried out jointly by KEDGE and AMU. In terms of applied research, a joint KEDGE and AMU team is planned to work on two non-exhaustive areas: the reasons for the gap between the number of entrepreneurs in France and the United States after graduation, and the reasons for possible failure. It will focus on identifying solutions to encourage the growth of entrepreneurship and thus contribute to the economic development of the territory.

HOPPS Group will contribute to the mentoring component, supported by KEDGE and AMU. Within the framework of this program, the partners are considering training in the posture of mentors and a support program for mentors.

Frédéric Pons, co-President of the HOPPS Group, says: "We are very proud to be supporting the BiM! project, the first initiative to make entrepreneurship accessible to all. The desire for entrepreneurship has never been so strong, especially among students and young workers. However, this axis of development has been underestimated for too long within the educational process. For the first time, three major public and private players have joined forces to create a diversity & inclusion program accessible to all profiles in order to offer the same chances and opportunities to all and to move
from a 5% project conversion rate to a minimum of 15% thanks to BiM!"

According to Jean-Daniel Beurnier, President of KEDGE Business School: "We are delighted to participate in the launch of BiM! alongside HOPPS and AMU. Having a major impact on economic life through the training of its future leaders is a priority for a major business school.
business school. KEDGE Business School is therefore pursuing its commitment through this initiative, which offers great opportunities for future entrepreneurs, so that they can embark on their entrepreneurial adventure more quickly and more serenely. This launch is fully in line with our
This launch is fully in line with our actions that position entrepreneurship as a lever for development and inclusiveness for the territories.

Eric Berton, President of Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), adds: "Research into entrepreneurship and the profile of future entrepreneurs was initiated by several teacher-researchers on the issue of entrepreneurial legitimacy in conjunction with CISAM (the City of Knowledge and Innovation of Aix-Marseille) and the "Pépite Provence" student entrepreneurship cluster. We want to accelerate this in-depth research to identify both typical profiles and the obstacles and levers for accelerating access to entrepreneurship. We are delighted to engage AMU in this innovative and fundamental project for our territory and beyond.

About HOPPS Group:
HOPPS Group is a holding company specialized in the acquisition and development of high-potential companies. Since its creation in 2017, the Group has positioned itself as a growth developer for the companies it supports. The Group has progressively specialized in the positive recovery through growth and sustainable development of its subsidiaries, with the provision of resources, the deployment of new
strategic orientations and the creation of synergies between its companies. The Group's support model is based on strong entrepreneurial values, proven know-how and its human and business expertise. The Group's diptych objective is based on a return to profitability of its subsidiaries while preserving the social model. HOPPS Group is therefore committed to local entrepreneurship, the economic development of the
of the Southern Region and the reduction of the carbon footprint of its companies.

About KEDGE Business School:

KEDGE Business School is a leading French business school with 4 campuses in France (Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille and Toulon), 4 international campuses (2 in China in Shanghai and Suzhou, and 2 in Africa in Dakar and Abidjan) and 3 associated campuses (Avignon, Bastia and Bayonne). The KEDGE community is made up of 14,800 students (23% of whom are foreign students), 207 permanent professors (43% of whom are international), 300 international academic partners and 75,000 graduates worldwide. KEDGE offers 38 courses in management and design for students and professionals, and deploys tailor-made courses for companies on a national and international level. Since 2020, KEDGE has created its own Apprentice Training Center. Member of the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles and accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA,
EESPIG label and Qualiopi certification, KEDGE Business School is an institution recognized by the French State, with targeted programs. KEDGE is ranked by the Financial Times as the 40th best business school in Europe and 45th in the world for its Executive MBA.

About AMU:
The largest French-speaking university, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) welcomes 80,000 students and nearly 8,000 staff on 5 large campuses with international standards. The university owns its own property and is present in 9 major cities in 4 departments. Its A*Midex University Foundation, which is the bearer of the IDEX, contributes to the development of a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary pole of higher education and research of world-class standing. Known as a "research-intensive university," it is home to 113 research units, nine federations and some 50 technology platforms linked to major national organizations. AMU is committed to interdisciplinarity, which is at the heart of its strategy and training. It has already created Territorial Innovation Poles (PIT), access for economic players to certified technological platforms, the Aix-Marseille City of Innovation and Knowledge (CISAM) and 18 institutes to ensure links between research and training. As a responsible and committed university, Aix-Marseille Université has made "living together" a priority and is renowned in international rankings for its policy of combating racism and discrimination.
Aix-Marseille Université has made "living together" a priority and is recognized in international rankings for its anti-discrimination policy and, more generally, its CSR policy. Widely open to the world since its creation (10,000 international students and more than 40 diplomas in international partnership), it won the European Commission's call for projects to build "CIVIS, a European Civic University" with its 9 European partners, contributing to the major societal challenges, particularly in Africa and the Mediterranean.
particularly in Africa and the Mediterranean.