ESCP Business School

MSc in Impact Entrepreneurship

The Master in Impact Entrepreneurship (120 ECTS) teaches you what you need to know to build a values-driven and impactful entrepreneurial career. The curriculum combines three types of entrepreneurship: sustainability entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and technology entrepreneurship.

Students master entrepreneurship through immersive learning: combining classroom theory, practical skills training, and real-world fieldwork—all focused on creating effective ventures that benefit society and the planet.

Courses are taught by full-time ESCP faculty and experienced industry practitioners. Throughout the programme, students will also have the opportunity to meet and network with successful entrepreneurs and sustainability professionals.

Term 1: Berlin

Kicking off in Berlin, you’ll lay the theoretical groundwork essential to evaluating and addressing the status quo of the planet, society, and business. You’ll get an introduction to sustainable development, social impact, and current technological developments. This helps you gain the understanding needed to address unsustainable business practices and develop entrepreneurial solutions. Expect case studies, group work, debates, and a variety of exercises to connect theory to practice.

You’ll also start a unique 1-year journey with an impact venture-building project. In this hands-on module, you’ll apply methods such as design thinking and customer development to create market-ready, sustainable, social, and/or technology-based business ideas. The project starts with ethnographic research and analysis of an environmental or societal challenge.

Additionally, you’ll participate in a language class of your choice to prepare for global career opportunities and work environments.

Term 2: Paris

This term at the Paris Campus equips you with a comprehensive toolkit for the development and management of impact ventures. You’ll develop practical skills in financial decision-making, impact measurement, and venture creation, all while learning to balance financially viable business operations with positive social and environmental impact.

The impact venture building project continues as you develop a compelling solution to the challenge identified in the first term. Experienced faculty and experts from practice serve as guides as you develop and refine your idea for the market. You’ll advance to the next level in your language class.

Term 3: Berlin

Back at the Berlin Campus, this term combines practical training in financial tools, technology and impact management, and business planning with the development of essential soft skills for navigating intercultural work environments. You’ll be immersed in hands-on learning approaches including interactive simulations and advanced business pitching.

Your cohort will also take part in a 1-week study retreat. The trip offers a week in the countryside to reflect, share, and explore Impact Entrepreneurship through presence, collaboration, and connection with nature, your fellow classmates, and hand-selected guest speakers.

The impact venture building project concludes this term as you create a concrete business plan, refine your financial estimates, and pitch your idea for positive impact. You’ll continue advancing to the next level in your language course.

Term 4: Berlin

After a short summer break, you’ll prepare to critically evaluate research and conduct your own scientific work, while learning about the multifaceted aspects of driving significant societal change. You’ll also take 3 electives of your choice.

A key element of this programme takes place this term — the Company Consultancy Project (CCP). Over 2 months, you and your peers will collaborate on a real-time challenge provided by a company or organisation. This project challenges you to put into practice the concepts you’ve learned in class and gives you valuable experience employers are looking for.

Modules

• Advanced research skills
• Company consultancy project

Electives (choose 3)

The selection of elective courses varies every year. Recent electives include:

• From idea to exit: a clean tech startup journey
• Technology entrepreneurship
• Serious gaming
• Digital technologies & sustainability
• Quantitative entrepreneurial finance and private equity
• Strategic design thinking

Company Consultancy Projects (CCPs)

The CCP will require significant commitment and focus. Your group is expected to deliver a high-level analysis and make actionable recommendations that can realistically be implemented by the company.

You’ll learn how to work effectively as a team and hone your skills in:

• Project planning and management
• Data collection and analysis
• Development of hypotheses and recommendations
• Customer service & client interaction
• Public speaking and presentations

Throughout the project, guidance is provided by business experts with support from ESCP professors.

Term 5: Anywhere in the world

You’ll have 12 weeks to complete an individual Master's Thesis in consultation with an academic advisor. A Master's Thesis demonstrates advanced research, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills—highly valued in competitive job markets. As you develop expertise and contacts in your desired industry, a thesis can also serve as a launch pad for your career.

Term 6: Anywhere in the world

You’ll finish your Master's journey with either an internship (or a full-time permanent position!) or a Business Development Project, all of which must be a minimum of three months.

The internship, which you can do anywhere in the world, is an excellent opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge, get more hands-on experience, and build professional connections, all aimed at jumpstarting your career. ESCP’s European Career Centre provides support as you look for the right internship opportunity.

Here are some examples of companies and organisations at which students have obtained internships:

KPMG – Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft & Klimaschutz – ClimateSeed – Good Citizen – Maa Biodiversity – Henkel – Capgemini – HelloFresh Benelux  –  ROSE Technologies GmbH – Deloitte  – Doctolib  – Enpal B.V. – Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. –  Ceezer Software GmbH

A unique feature of this programme is the possibility to do a Business Development Project (BDP) instead of an internship. The BDP allows you to work on your own business projects, for example writing a business plan, launching a marketing campaign, doing market research, applying for funding, and much more. Many MSEI students make use of the BDP to sharpen their entrepreneurial ideas and skills, with the aim of kicking off their venture after graduation.

Demand is up for values-based change agents and entrepreneurs: more companies than ever see sustainability and social responsibility as an essential part of their mission.

However, the new corporate commitment should be seen as the floor of our forecast, not the ceiling. Given the world’s many pressing concerns – climate change, aging populations, income inequality, and more – it’s hard to think of any industry or sector that could benefit more from talented and socially aware entrepreneurs.

Job titles of some of our graduates include:

• Sustainability Consultant
• Partnerships & Social Innovation Manager
• Venture Architect
• Junior Corporate Development Manager
• Entrepreneur in Residence
• Managing Director
• Project Manager
• Venture Developer
• Impact Manager
• Packing Strategy Manager
• Manager for Circular and Sustainable Products

Founded in 1819, ESCP is the world’s oldest business school and consistently ranked among the best in Europe by the Financial Times. With multiple (including national) accreditations and campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin, and Warsaw, we offer a unique, multi-campus learning experience that’s globally recognised and locally relevant.

ESCP is also deeply committed to sustainability, embedding environmental and social responsibility into its teaching, research, partnerships and campus operations — with the goal of preparing graduates to lead responsibly and drive positive impact.

As a student, you’ll benefit from:

• A programme designed to build critical skills and real-world exposure in a multicultural setting
• Expert career services on every campus, helping you shape a path that fits your goals
• Academic and research excellence in sustainability
• Direct access to leading employers through fairs, internships, and corporate partnerships
• A vibrant network of 85,000+ alumni in 170+ countries