Nicolas Servel: "Our Students Thrive at the Heart of the World's Most Dynamic Startup Ecosystems"

What makes the MSc Entrepreneurship, Technology and Startup Management unique?

Our goal is to immerse students in the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems. Silicon Valley, the global epicentre of startups and technological innovation, exposes them to emerging trends, best practices, and invaluable networking opportunities. During their semester at Berkeley, students take specialised courses at SCET, Berkeley Engineering’s entrepreneurship hub, while engaging with founders, investors, and key players in the startup scene.

In an interdisciplinary approach, students also explore topics beyond business that align with their career ambitions. After their time in the US, they continue the programme in Sophia Antipolis, Europe’s first tech cluster, where they apply their learning, dive into the French innovation ecosystem, and work on real-world business cases with entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

What are the programme’s core learning objectives?

Students gain expertise in four key areas: ideation, product design, prototyping, and commercialisation. Throughout the course, they attend networking events, expert talks, and panel discussions, meeting top entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation leaders from Silicon Valley and Sophia Antipolis.

They develop a comprehensive understanding of startup growth, working with both early-stage ventures (typically 18 to 24 months old) and high-growth companies. For instance, some collaborate with a profitable company generating €10 million in revenue, while others learn from an executive who previously served as COO of a unicorn during its Series A funding round.

Many graduates start their careers in the startup and scale-up ecosystem, which is now a major recruiter of young professionals in France, accounting for 10% to 20% of new hires. Others work with entrepreneurs who have structured, scaled, or even exited high-growth businesses, including publicly listed companies and unicorns.

However, not all students launch their ventures immediately after graduation. Those aiming for high-impact startup roles take courses covering key startup functions, ensuring they are fully operational from day one.

Do students develop their own ventures?

Yes, some do—but it is not the primary focus. Instead, students collaborate in teams to develop a product or service prototype, which they pitch to a jury of entrepreneurs, investors, and startup mentors. This hands-on experience is strengthened by personalised coaching from faculty and SKEMA Entrepreneurs, the school’s incubator. With guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs, students refine their business models, product development strategies, communication plans, and go-to-market approaches—as well as perfecting their investor pitches.

How does this programme impact students’ employability?

The tech and innovation job market is booming. According to France Digitale, French startups hire between 30,000 and 40,000 people annually. MSc graduates are well-positioned to launch their own ventures or join fast-growing startups, where they benefit from greater autonomy, rapid career progression, and leadership opportunities—advantages often unmatched in large corporations.

Startups have become a compelling alternative for entrepreneurial-minded graduates, offering dynamic career paths in an ecosystem that fosters agility, innovation, and impact. As I discuss in my article on ThinkForward, these trends are shaping the future of work for young professionals.

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