The program is designed for present and future business leaders who wish to drive innovation within their organizations or launch new ventures. Applications are now open for the first intake of students, with classes starting in September 2017.

According to HEC Paris Dean Peter Todd, the need for courses designed for entrepreneurial and innovative leaders is greater than ever: "In 2013, HEC Paris was the first business school in France to launch a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Coursera platform. Building on long-standing experience in the production of such courses, this new online degree answers the needs of the ever-changing and rapidly evolving world of business."

For the past 135 years, HEC Paris has produced world-class innovators and entrepreneurs. Its more recent ability to build open courses will now be leveraged to develop a fully online degree for the entire world. The program will indeed expand access to a global audience of current and aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, drawing from Coursera’s 25 million learners worldwide.

Coursera CEO Rick Levin is hopeful that the OMIE will make learning from a top business school attainable to people globally. "This is a degree for ambitious students who want to gain access to an international network of entrepreneurs and build high-impact companies. Thanks to a unique curriculum based on stackable credentials, participants can benefit at each level of learning. They can choose a single course, decide to specialize in one program, or embark on a full-fledged degree. This degree represents remarkable progress in providing equitable access to education from a highly reputable business school."

The online Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be as selective as all other degrees at HEC Paris. However, it is also designed to be flexible, allowing prospective students to start learning immediately on the Coursera platform with open-enrollment Specializations. Once admitted, Specialization can then be credited towards the degree.

By the end of the program, successful applicants will understand how to combine talent and capital, manage rapid growth, and reduce risk factors by using decision-making skills they have acquired. The program’s entrepreneurial angle also encourages students to explore a new way of thinking when faced with different opportunities in social ventures, governments, and life.

"HEC Paris offers participants the opportunity to learn from world-class practitioners in their industries," explains Peter Todd. "Through innovative, fully online and interactive courses, participants will leave the program ready to launch their own venture or to innovate within their existing organizations. This is a unique opportunity to earn an HEC Master’s degree and join the exclusive HEC alumni network."

Students will work in teams over a six-month period on a project of choice, from the planning stages to bringing the idea to life. They will receive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders, who will meet with them once a week. Successful graduates will be able to move their respective project into its next phase by applying for seed funding from HEC Paris and have their project come to fruition at HEC’s incubator, based at Station F, the world’s biggest startup campus.