On JAN 19 + 20, LFSF Gr 10, 11 and 12 students participated in the Start'up Lycée, a program inviting young entrepreneurs to build a start-up in just 48 hours!

This year the event was held at the Hult Business School in San Francisco and 59 students divided in 15 teams competed. The Hult facilities were ideally suited to brainstorm during the 2 days. Students used all surfaces to log down their ideas, including glass walls and wall size Idea boards. Each team was mentored by successful Bay area entrepreneurs and LFSF educators to help them develop their pitch.

“It was a great experience”, said Laurence who pitched an app to help teen girls find sport classes, “we felt like we were in a real startup environment”

The teams created an app, developed content, feasibility, financing, and finally pitched the project in 4 minutes to a jury comprised of silicon valley entrepreneurs and in front of a large audience.

The winning team was composed of Hannah Lederman, Thomas Thorbrogger, François Akiki, Ethan Collins with their project named LUX.  They will represent the LFSF during the Finale at the Lycée in Chicago with students from all over the US.

“Je trouve que start up lycée a été une expérience très intéressante - et marrante, et cela pourra me servira dans le futur” -Antoine Haddad

“ I found it very interesting to not only get to know other people, but also getting closer to the ones I already know.  It was a great 2 day experience that was based on team work, and I learned a lot on how to talk in front of a lot people. It was as well a very educative experience where I got over my fear of public speaking. “ - Ines Krognes

"J’ai trouvé que l’environnement professionnel nous a permit de se sentir comme de vrais chefs d’entreprises. J’ai trouvé cette experience unique et incroyable car en une courte période de temps on a pu découvrir un nouveau domaine de travail. De plus c’était très amusant en plus d’être intéressant.” - Diane Roux

“J’ai particulièrement apprécié l’engagement de tous les élèves, pour mener à bien des projets singuliers, tout en tenant compte des conseils des coaches volontaires et motivés. Leurs presentations orales ont fait preuve de conviction et de détermination. L’accueil chaleureux de Hult Business School est idéal pour Start’Up Lycée. A renouveler l’an prochain sans hésitation."