The Startup Challenge transforms student entrepreneurs into business leaders through an intensive annual competition managed by Centrale Lyon and backed by the five prestigious Centrale schools (CentraleSupélec, Lyon, Nantes, Méditerrannée and Lille). Far from a theoretical exercise, this competition serves as a launching pad for real businesses at various stages of development – from early-stage startups with minimum viable products to incorporated companies already serving paying customers.
What sets this challenge apart is its deep integration into each school’s entrepreneurship curriculum while maintaining real-world stakes and outcomes. Participating teams receive invaluable guidance from a diverse network of experienced alumni and potential investors, who provide multi-faceted feedback that can shape the trajectory of these emerging businesses in France and in the US. This makes the competition a powerful accelerator for student ventures, helping them bridge the gap between academic concepts and market success.
Eligibility Criteria to Enter the Competition
Any kind of project is eligible to enter the competition provided that:
- Team Requirements
- Teams must have at least two members working together
- At least one member must be actively enrolled at one of France’s five participating schools when initial questionnaire and pitch is due back
- Additional team members can come from any background, bringing diverse skills and experience
- Project Requirements
- The venture must demonstrate genuine innovation in its field – particular focus on aerospace, artificial intelligence and complementary technologies, and finance-related technology.
- Projects should be developed beyond just an initial idea
- Teams should be ready to present their concept to potential investors
- The project can be at any stage – from early prototype to generating revenue
This competition bridges the gap between academic innovation and real-world entrepreneurship, providing a platform for promising ideas to attract attention and support.
Stages
The challenge is organized in 3 stages and is supported by a jury of alumni who have extensive corporate and/or investing experience on the French and US market :
- Phase 1: Initial Selection (through May 2025)
- Teams submit comprehensive pitch decks and respond to specific questions in English
- Jury evaluates all written submissions
- Top teams advance to virtual presentation round
- Phase 2: Virtual Pitches (July 2025)
- Teams present business plans in English with live Q&A focusing on medium-term potential
- Three finalists selected based on jury evaluation
- Winners receive specialized coaching from CentraleSupélec Business Angels (CSBA) in France
- Phase 3: US Finals (November 2025)
- Top three teams travel to US to pitch in English before investors and receive expert feedback
- Final presentations delivered at Alumni Days, the annual North American reunion
- Winners determined by virtual investment voting from alumni audience
Prizes
The competition offers several exciting rewards for participants and winning teams, including valuable feedback on their projects from an alumni jury, which helps assess the maturity and potential of each business.
The top three teams selected to travel to the U.S. will gain exclusive exposure to experienced U.S. investors, who will help them think about their business in an international context and explore the potential of entering the U.S. market.
Several generous alumni will award cash prizes to the top three teams, based on their rankings at the final event, offering additional recognition and support for their efforts.
If they decide to move forward with market entry, these teams will also receive support from the Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur (Trade Advisors of France) through the Dream Start program, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. This dedicated group helps French startups successfully launch in the U.S.
Jury Members
The jury is comprised of members in the US and France who have a diverse experience from executive management to being directly in the venture capital industry. Many are also business angels. Some are Trade Advisors to France.
