There is no age limit for starting a business, so why not take the entrepreneurial plunge while you are still a student? Student entrepreneurs face a whole series of challenges as they navigate the world of entrepreneurship while managing their academic responsibilities. But this is also the age when you have the most ambition and energy, and the strongest desire to make a difference... provided you balance your appetite for innovation with the demands of sound management. Let's see how to go about your entrepreneurial project!
WHAT IS A STUDENT ENTREPRENEURIAL PROJECT?
A student entrepreneurial project is neither an internship nor a mere extracurricular activity. It is a real challenge that combines creativity and hands-on learning. These projects allow students to become entrepreneurs in practice, from the initial idea through to concrete implementation. Whether it is launching a mobile app, a "green" service that benefits the planet or even a groundbreaking innovation, every initiative is full of ambition and passion for these young business leaders.
These projects often form part of the entrepreneurship training offered by business schools, where students receive structured support. The aim is to enable them to turn their ideas into genuine business opportunities while confronting them with the realities of the field. A student entrepreneurial project is therefore a unique chance to learn by experimenting, while laying the foundations for your own professional future.
Working on a student entrepreneurial project does, however, demand a good measure of rigour and adaptability. Project management becomes a core skill: planning, budgeting, meeting deadlines and organising resources are all aspects that students learn to master along the way. Added to this are fundamental concepts such as risk management and strategic decision-making.
These projects also confront students with innovation challenges. They must find creative solutions to complex problems, often by using digital tools or innovative approaches. This balance between management and innovation gives them a rare asset on the job market: the ability to think differently while keeping their feet on the ground.
EDC Paris Business School puts entrepreneurship at the heart of its identity, and its Master in Management is designed to reveal the potential of every student. This programme provides an ideal framework for carrying out student projects thanks to action-oriented teaching, modern tools and a network of inspiring professionals.
Within the programme, students benefit from practical classes and workshops that prepare them to meet the real challenges of entrepreneurship. They are also encouraged to innovate while drawing on management skills to ensure their ideas are viable. Whether through internships in companies, international exchanges or entrepreneurship competitions, future graduates develop valuable know-how for building their own future.
THE STAGES OF DEVELOPING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL PROJECT
Building an entrepreneurial project requires a rigorous methodology and a step-by-step approach.
Step 1: Find a (good) idea
A good idea must meet a need, solve a problem or open up new opportunities. But it must also be clarified. During this stage, the entrepreneur must ask a few essential questions: What problem does my project address? Who is it for? What value does it bring? This thinking lays the first foundations of the project's vision.
Step 2: Carry out market research
An idea is only worth something if it can be made real. Understanding your market is therefore crucial. This involves analysing the competition, getting to know your target audience and spotting trends in the sector. This stage, which can be long, is essential to validate the relevance of the project and identify levers for innovation. It is also the time to assess risks and opportunities.
Step 3: Build a business model
The business model is the heart of the entrepreneurial project. It answers a fundamental question: how will this project generate value? This includes defining revenue streams, costs and key partnerships. This stage takes you from an abstract idea to a concrete, workable strategy.
Step 4: Test
A project must be tested, even if it is not yet fully finished. Testing a prototype, whether a product or a service, with real users is a decisive step for gathering feedback and refining your offering. The adjustments made at this stage ensure that the project meets market expectations.
Step 5: Plan
Entrepreneurship demands excellent organisation. Once the foundations are laid, it is essential to plan the main stages of the project. This includes seeking funding, building a network of partners, operational development and marketing strategy. Good management of time and resources is vital to staying on course.
Step 6: Launch
The launch is the moment when the project meets the reality of the market. But no launch is perfect. The entrepreneur must stay attentive, learn from the first feedback and adjust the product or service in line with customer feedback.
TOOLS YOU NEED TO DEVELOP A STUDENT PROJECT
To maximise your project's chances of success, certain digital tools prove indispensable. For example, they help you structure your ideas better, test your concepts and communicate effectively.
Canva for creating striking visuals
Canva is the perfect tool for bringing a visual identity to life, even without graphic design skills. Whether you are designing a logo, an impactful presentation or promotional visuals, this intuitive platform offers a wide range of customisable templates. In a few clicks, students can create professional materials to present their projects clearly.
Typeform for collecting data intelligently
To validate an idea, understand the expectations of your target audience or gauge interest in a product, Typeform is an essential tool. It lets you design interactive surveys, which are ideal for collecting data. Its user-friendly interface ensures a high response rate, making it a key asset for market research or user feedback.
Figma for designing interactive prototypes
For prototyping a website, an app or any other digital product, Figma is a benchmark. This collaborative tool lets you design interactive mock-ups, map out user journeys and test interfaces. Particularly popular for its ease of use, it also makes teamwork easier by centralising contributions on a single platform.
EXAMPLES OF STUDENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT AN ENTREPRENEURIAL PROJECT DURING THEIR STUDIES
Camille, Richard and Kévin - Co-founders of OuiVALO
Students in Nantes, these three partners joined forces to create the start-up OuiVALO, which makes it easier to collect and recover biodegradable waste in urban areas and turn it into natural gas or fertiliser. Thanks to the National Student-Entrepreneur Status and the support of Pépite des Pays de la Loire, they were able to develop their project while continuing their studies.
Marjolaine - Founder of L'Atelier du Ferment
While studying engineering with a specialism in food and health, Marjolaine created Atelier du Ferment, a company selling a fermented drink made from fruit kefir, 100% organic and local. Atelier du Ferment now produces 500,000 bottles a year, sold in 12,000 points of sale, and has 7 employees.
Benjamin Gaignault - Co-founder of Ornikar
In 2014, while a business school student, Benjamin Gaignault co-founded Ornikar, an online driving school revolutionising the way people learn to drive and, above all, the cost of the driving licence. Despite a difficult start, the company raised €35 million in 2019 to fund its expansion and now has more than 110 employees. For Benjamin Gaignault, "having an idea is worth absolutely nothing: what matters is how you execute it". He has since set up a second company, Skarlett, dedicated to the purchasing power of seniors.
Outside France, we can of course mention Mark Zuckerberg, who created his first company at just 12 years old, and Facebook at 20 while he was a student at Harvard.
Studying at a business school is a real advantage when it comes to starting a business, notably thanks to the key skills you acquire in finance, marketing and strategy. But beyond technical skills, it is boldness, creativity and self-confidence that turn an idea into a genuine entrepreneurial success: it's your turn!