They could not succeed without your generosity

A huge thank you to everyone!

Amélie-Dominique (FAM 18), Niels (GE 19), Camille (BACH 19) and Manon (SCOM 19) have recently graduated from one of Audencia’s programmes: another attribute they share is that, during their studies, they benefited from a social and cultural inclusion scholarship, allowing them to fully embrace their student experience.

Similarly, in 2019, more than 70 students at the school benefited from financial aid, equalling a total amount of over €260,000. Thus, the generosity of graduates is essential to the success of today’s students. Indeed, without their contributions, this Scholarship Fund would never have existed, and this is also true of the Learning Expedition to the CES, in Silicon Valley, which has just taken place for the second time.

“Launched in 2016, the graduate fundraising scheme has been gaining momentum, emphasises Françoise Marcus, General Delegate of the Foundation. We have just passed the €100,000 mark for donations raised among Audencia graduates and friends of the School. However, in addition to the money raised, this means that a culture of giving is being established at the School, and that is our aim. “

“The numbers speak for themselves: there has been a 12% increase in new donors compared to 2018, 20% more contributions than last year, and the number of major sponsors has doubled. However, the Foundation also owes its excellent results to the strength of the end-of-year campaign: over 100 donors came together to raise a total of €28,600, exceeding the target we were hoping for“, explains Karyn Mikkelsen-Tillet, Fundraising Manager of the Foundation.

“Happy new year to all Audencia students. May they be brimming with innovative ideas that will showcase the School on the world stage!” said Dominique Rives (GE 87), while taking part in the Foundation’s campaign.

From beneficiary to donor, there is a fine line between the two which Niels Rolland did not hesitate to cross. “The Learning Expedition is one of the best things that happened to me while I was at Audencia. It is essential that new editions are organised and that the event continues in the future. That’s why I decided to make a donation of my own.”

On behalf of all our students, the Audencia Foundation would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the School’s graduates and friends, whose generosity is fundamental to the intergenerational bond and solidarity that ensures the success of all Audencia’s students.

To find out more or to make a donation: The Audencia Foundation

The “Audencia Touch” in the USA

“An amazing experience“, “A real boost“, “Our brains are working overtime, it’s mind-blowing”, “I feel pumped up and ready to start my own business” … These are comments made by our students upon their return from the Learning Expedition. Eight days to explore the CES in Las Vegas, the world’s largest technology trade show, and to meet entrepreneurs and graduates of the School in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

6 of the Audencia students won their place on the study trip during a sales pitch session. Talented, with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for digital technology, they were selected by a jury of graduate donors, following a review of over 60 projects.

Florian Bartocci (Engineering-Management 21), Antonin Fourcade (GE 20), Mathieu Hecquet (GE 20), Nicolas Hubert (Engineering-Management 20), Jeanne Scala Coach (Audencia SciencesCom 21) and Estelle Thomé (GE 21) come from a variety of backgrounds and programs, and they all found the experience to be incredibly rewarding:

• Mathieu: “I found The vibrancy of Las Vegas and the entrepreneurial spirit in the Valley really inspiring. We want to do the same when we get home!”.
• What impressed Antonin the most? “The Plug & Play sales pitch, as this market is one of the biggest drivers of start-ups in Silicon Valley. Presenting my project to professionals and getting their feedback was a great learning experience.”
• Jeanne: “I learnt so much on this trip and it has made me even more ambitious!“

• Florian: “In the US, failure is seen as an opportunity to bounce back. Entrepreneurs are really passionate and you can almost feel it in the air.”

Stéphane Lolicart, Karina Séverin and Guillaume Vichot, 3 Executive MBA students, also went on the trip. For these students, as well as professional development, the main benefit of this trip is the close bond formed by the group. Guillaume took away “a positive energy from his discussions with the young students “. For Stéphane, “The connection made between the Audencia students and staff, that was my personal highlight.”

Lastly, we cannot discuss this trip without mentioning:

• Michaël Thoby (Exec-MBA 13), our CES guide: “When we’re students, we’re given a lot of support. This transmission of knowledge is very important to me. I enjoy supporting motivated students and helping them to discover the best new technologies at the CES.”
• Lucie Gouanelle (GE 98) who shared her contact list with us in San Francisco: “A few years ago, I felt the need to find meaning in what I was doing. ‘Giving back to the community’ has become a matter of course for me. I wanted to be part of a new project that would benefit the students.”

A huge thank you to both of them, as well as to all the donors who have funded this trip. Thanks to their commitment, the “Audencia Touch” is making waves across the Atlantic!

To find out more, check out the @audencia social networks, using the hashtag #Audencia_LEX