Student led - IMD × EPFL | Kickoff

​Launch Event — IMD × EPFL

​Bringing together EPFL founders, IMD MBAs, investors, and operators for a structured evening focused on early-stage execution.

​This is not a standard panel. The session is designed to stress-test ideas, sharpen positioning, and connect technical founders with business and capital.

​What to expect

• ​Panel (20 min)
  IMD, EPFL, and VC perspectives on the Lausanne ecosystem
  → What works, what doesn’t, and where the gaps are between research, talent, and capital

• ​Startup × MBA reverse pitches

  • ​Pre-selected EPFL startups paired with IMD MBAs

  • ​MBAs review each company in advance

  • ​On stage: direct feedback on business model, positioning, and go-to-market

  • ​Focus: concrete, actionable input

• ​Fireside chat (closing)
  Partner at Sequoia Capital (online)
  → Pattern Recognition: What Makes a Generational Founder

• ​Networking
  Informal discussion with founders, investors, and operators

​Speakers

• ​Philippe Renaud — Professor Emeritus, EPFL

• ​Jim Pulcrano — Adjunct Professor, IMD

• ​George Robson — Partner, Sequoia Capital (online)

​EPFL Startup Launchpad will be present, representing the EPFL venture pipeline.

• ​Segmeridian — AI-powered MRI organ segmentation

• ​BaiO — AI-accelerated drug discovery

• ​OPTIION — Smart energy storage optimisation

• ​Windlens — Farm-specific wind energy forecasting

• ​Dual Energy — Agrivoltaic systems (energy + agriculture)

​Audience

• ​EPFL founders (pre-selected)

• ​EPFL Students

• ​IMD MBAs & Alumni

• ​Investors and industry operators

​Registration

• ​Mandatory registration

• ​All external guests are pre-screened and approved

​Disclaimer

​This event is a student-led initiative, organized by the IMD Life Sciences Club and Entrepreneurship Club, with support from IMD Careers. It is not an official IMD institutional event.

​The initiative is led by David Gomez, Christian Morales, and Cameron Smith, IMD MBA students.

​Participation is by approval only, with priority given to IMD MBA students. External participants are admitted selectively based on their ability to contribute clear value to the MBA class and the organizing Clubs. Total capacity is capped at 90 participants.

​All views, discussions, and content presented during the event reflect the perspectives of the speakers and participants, and do not represent the official position of IMD.

​This event is designed to deliver practical insights and high-quality exchange for participants.

​Thank you for being part of this initiative.