Harvard Summer Program at ICS Paris: A Unique Immersion into the World of Entrepreneurship

This summer, several students from EIB Étoile high school and EIB Monceau and EIB de la Jonchère middle schools took part in the Future Entrepreneurs Program, an intensive five-day camp hosted at ICS Paris and led by a team of mentors from Harvard University. 

Designed by the Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR), this program aims to introduce students to the world of start-ups and entrepreneurship through a practical, dynamic, and international experience. 

A Week to Think, Create, and Innovate 

Over the course of five days, students explored the different stages involved in launching a start-up. Through hands-on workshops, they learned how to: 

• Understand the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and develop an entrepreneurial mindset 

• Identify real-world problems and propose viable solutions 

• Conduct market research and discover customer expectations 

• Design prototypes using professional tools such as Figma, Bubble, Canva, and Miro 

• Build a business plan and define a marketing strategy 

• Pitch their project to a panel of mentors 

Beyond technical skills, students also acquired tools to help them envision their future with ambition, creativity, and critical thinking. 

Inspiring Mentors from Harvard 

The program was delivered by six Harvard mentors, each with a unique and inspiring background. Among them: 

• Rico, a graduate in American History and African American Studies, soon to begin a PhD at Harvard, passionate about education and social change 

• Dariana, a biologist specialising in ecology, committed to biodiversity research and science mentoring 

• Matt, a student of statistics and neuroscience, passionate about pedagogy and international education 

• Victor, a graduate in Political Science and Visual Arts, involved in educational content creation and development in Brazil 

• Nehir, a Turkish environmental biologist, active in ecological research and youth education in her region 

• Taryn, a specialist in Economics and South Asian Studies, devoted to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

Their diverse profiles and experiences gave students valuable insight into global challenges, research, innovation, and the role of youth in shaping the future. 

A Joyful and Memorable Closing Ceremony 

The week concluded with a celebratory awards ceremony in the school’s dining hall, attended by parents. The Harvard mentors presented each student with a certificate of participation, praising their commitment, curiosity, and hard work. 

Special awards were given for the most creative, innovative, or best-pitched projects, as chosen by each mentor for their respective group. 

HPAIR representatives delivered a heartfelt and inspiring closing speech, encouraging students to believe in their ideas and to keep developing their potential. 

A Transformative Experience, Looking Towards the Future 

This program was more than just a summer camp – it offered students a rich and empowering experience combining academic ambition, global outlook, and entrepreneurial spirit. 

The students left with ideas, projects, and a clearer vision of what they hope to build in the future. 

A huge congratulations to all the EIB students for their dedication throughout this intensive week, and sincere thanks to the entire HPAIR team for their guidance, high standards, and generosity. We also extend our warmest thanks to ICS Paris for its hospitality and support in making this program possible.