TL;DR
The ESA–HEC Entrepreneur Prize is a yearly competition that targets Lebanese founders (in Lebanon or abroad) and offers the winning project a six-month incubation at Station F in Paris through the HEC Paris incubator ecosystem.
Applications typically require (1) an online form, (2) a pitch deck, and (3) a 2-minute video, and eligibility usually includes a valid MVP and at least one Lebanese founder.
The jury doesn’t reward “big vision” alone—what wins is clarity + proof: a real problem, a working MVP, traction signals, and a believable path to international growth.
What this prize is (in plain terms)
The ESA–HEC Entrepreneur Prize (often referred to as “Prix Entrepreneur ESA–HEC”) is a Lebanon-focused startup competition run through ESA Business School’s innovation arm (Smart ESA) with partners from the French entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The core “why it matters” is simple: it’s one of the clearest bridges from Beirut (or the diaspora) into a structured European incubator environment—specifically Station F in Paris via the HEC Paris incubator network.
Who should apply (the best-fit founder profile)
This prize tends to fit founders who are already past the “idea only” stage and can show early proof.
Based on published program criteria and past editions, you’re a strong match if you are:
Building a startup with a valid MVP (not a concept-only deck)
Able to show early traction signals (users, pilots, LOIs, revenue, retention, waitlist conversion, etc.)
A team with at least one Lebanese founder, based in Lebanon or abroad
Targeting a market that can grow beyond Lebanon (international potential is explicitly listed as a criterion)
Eligibility and what you must submit
ESA’s Smart ESA program page lists a consistent submission package:
Required submission package
Online application form
Pitch deck
2-minute video (either pitching or explaining the company)
Common eligibility criteria (as published)
Candidates should demonstrate:
The project addresses a clear problem/necessity
Clear innovation in product/process
Long-term viability
International potential
A valid MVP
At least one Lebanese founder
Timing note: deadlines vary by edition. Always confirm the current year’s deadline on the official application page.
Priority sectors
The prize is open to all sectors, but Smart ESA has explicitly encouraged applications in:
EdTech & Culture
MedTech & Digital Health
Green & Sustainability
How the competition typically works (what to expect)
Smart ESA describes a two-step structure:
An online selection phase that identifies top projects
A final pitch in front of a jury
In some editions, finalists also go through a pre-acceleration or coaching period before the final pitch.
The “how to win” checklist
Here’s the practical checklist that aligns with the published criteria—but phrased as a founder playbook.
1) Your problem statement must be painfully clear
If your opening is vague, you lose attention instantly.
Who is the customer?
What problem costs them money/time/risk?
Why now?
Test: can a stranger repeat your problem in one sentence after reading slide 1?
2) Show MVP proof
The prize criteria explicitly call for a valid MVP.
So your job is to prove:
it exists,
it works,
and someone uses it (even if small).
Include: product screenshots, live demo link (if allowed), pilot outcomes, and a single metric that proves usage.
3) Make the business model obvious
A jury needs to understand revenue in seconds.
Who pays?
How much?
What is the pricing logic?
What is your cost driver?
Avoid complicated “we’ll monetize later” language unless you have a credible reason.
4) International potential must be specific
International potential is explicitly listed.
Don’t say “global market.” Say:
first target market outside Lebanon,
why you can enter it,
how you’ll distribute there.
5) Your team slide must match your ambition
Keep it tight:
why you’re uniquely qualified,
what you’ve built already,
what’s missing (and who you need to hire).
6) Your traction slide should be honest
Traction is not only revenue.
Good traction includes:
LOIs with credible partners
retention and repeat usage
pipeline quality
deployment proof (even with a small number of users)
Deck template
Use this as your structure:
One-liner + problem
Customer + pain (data or story)
Solution (what you built)
MVP proof (screens + usage metric)
Market (realistic, not inflated)
Business model + pricing
Traction + milestones
Go-to-market (distribution channels)
Competition + differentiation
Team + ask (what you need from the program)
2-minute video script (simple structure)
Because a 2-minute video is explicitly required, keep it crisp.
0:00–0:15: Problem + who suffers
0:15–0:45: Solution + demo glimpse
0:45–1:15: Proof (MVP + traction)
1:15–1:45: Business model + market
1:45–2:00: Why your team + why this prize
What winners tend to get (why this prize is worth it)
Past coverage of earlier editions indicates winners received Station F incubation (duration varies by edition), sometimes cash prizes, and travel/accommodation support—depending on the year and partners.
The consistent headline benefit across program pages remains the incubation at Station F via HEC Paris incubator, plus coaching support for finalists.
How to apply (official path)
ESA’s official news page points applicants to the competition “Apply” link and the official application page.
