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The South Region and HEC launch the ESS Sud Accelerator

The South Region has entrusted HEC Paris with the creation of an acceleration program dedicated to the social and solidarity economy (ESS). It is part of the regional strategy “My Business Project”.
The program lasts 12 months and combines mentoring, HEC training, and networking. Ten organizations will be selected in autumn 2025.
The model is inspired by the ESS Île-de-France Accelerator, which has supported more than 80 organizations since 2019, representing 6,600 jobs.
The call for applications for the first cohort is open from June 24 to September 12, 2025. Applications can be submitted via the HEC Paris website or through this form.

This acceleration program dedicated to regional social and solidarity economy actors will provide 12 months of tailored support, combining training by HEC professors, mentoring, and networking. Ten organizations will be selected this fall to join the first cohort.

As part of the regional initiative “My Business Project” (MPE), designed to provide support services for businesses during creation, growth, or recovery phases, the South Region is entrusting HEC Paris with the implementation of a new program specifically dedicated to ESS organizations.

With the ESS Sud Accelerator, regional ESS structures will benefit from customized 12‑month support to address key development challenges: financing, diversification of services, team structuring, governance, and scaling up.

A call for applications is open from June 24 to September 12.

“The social and solidarity economy is innovation and cooperation at the service of social utility and local communities. In the South Region, we want to give it every opportunity to scale up. With HEC Paris, a reference in academic excellence, we are launching the ESS Sud Accelerator: a demanding and tailor-made program that will support businesses building a more human, more sustainable, and locally rooted economy,” declares Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, Deputy President of Régions de France.

“With the HEC Stand Up program, we have already been supporting women from all backgrounds into entrepreneurship in the South Region since last year. Building on this experience, and convinced of the central role of the social and solidarity economy in sustainable and inclusive territorial development, we are proud to deepen our commitment with the ESS Sud Accelerator. This new program illustrates our desire to put academic excellence and entrepreneurial support at the service of those who innovate for the common good,” adds Eloïc Peyrache, Dean and CEO of HEC Paris.

HEC Paris excellence serving the social and solidarity economy

Over 12 months, the ESS Accelerator offers both individual and collective support.

It is based on three pillars:

Individual support and mentoring: each organization is paired with a mentor throughout the program. The process begins with an initial diagnostic to identify strengths, challenges, and growth opportunities.
Collective training: in-person sessions will be held in the region with HEC professors and experts, covering key themes (growth strategy, impact management, governance, etc.), encouraging collaborative learning and knowledge sharing. Participants will also have unlimited access to an online training platform.
Networking and community building: accelerated organizations will join a community and gain access to networking events, thematic conferences, and masterclasses, creating opportunities for collaboration, learning, and growth.

A proven model

The ESS Sud Accelerator is directly inspired by the model developed in the Île-de-France Region, a pioneer in launching a high-impact ESS acceleration program. Operated by HEC since 2019, the ESS Île-de-France Accelerator has supported the scaling up of more than 80 organizations representing 6,600 jobs across various sectors: circular economy, sustainable food, social inclusion, third places, etc.

Call for applications – ESS Sud Accelerator | First cohort

Opening: June 24, 2025
Deadline: September 12, 2025
Eligibility criteria:

Be a social and solidarity economy (ESS) organization: association, cooperative, EI, EA, ESAT, or ESUS-certified
Have achieved a turnover of at least €500,000 in 2024
Have at least 2 years of existence
Be based in one of the 6 departments of the South Region
Propose a relevant growth or scaling-up project, including a strategy for expansion, territorial dissemination, or social and environmental innovation.
Applications can be submitted via the HEC Paris website or this form.

Source: HEC Paris – South Region press release