Student-led: IMD MBA Tech Club x EPFL AI Team
Student-led: Tech Club IMD × Entrepreneurship Club IMD × EPFL AI Team
Bringing together operators, founders, and investors to understand what it actually takes to move AI from research into real-world deployment.
This is not a theoretical discussion. The session is designed to break down execution: how AI systems are integrated, sold, and scaled inside enterprises.
What to expect
Panel (45 min) Starts @ 6:00 pm
From Models to Operations: Integrating AI into Real-World Enterprises
IMD, EPFL, WEF, and Kaiko.ai, and global ecosystem perspectives on what it takes to move AI from research to revenue.
→ Why most AI never reaches production
→ Where deployments break: integration, trust, and procurement
→ What actually drives enterprise adoption
Startup pitches (30 min)
EPFL AI Team startups
Selected startups present their work and receive direct exposure to MBAs and operators
→ Focus on real-world application and scalability
→ Direct connection to business, capital, and talent
Fireside-style discussion (embedded in panel)
Operator lens on AI commercialization
→ From first client to fundable growth
→ Distribution, integration, and time-to-value
Networking (60 min)
Informal discussion with founders, students, and operators
Speakers
Naomi Haefner — Professor at IMD for AI Strategy & Innovation
Michelle Mormont — Technology Pioneers Community Lead, at the World Economic Forum
Julien Weissenberg — CEO at Deep Tech Experts | AI Expert for Innosuisse and World Economic Forum
Moderator: Yu Chen Chang + David Gomez
Focus
High-level
AI in the Wild: Why most AI never makes it into production
Integration > Innovation: Embedding AI into workflows
Enterprise Reality: Legacy systems, compliance, and inertia
Value Creation: From capability to measurable impact
Deeper dive
The Integration Stack: data pipelines, APIs, workflow embedding
Buying vs. Building: corporate decision frameworks
Trust & Adoption: why users reject “better” tech
Procurement Friction: compliance, security, long cycles
Time-to-Value: first 30–90 days
Failure Modes: where deployments break
Human-in-the-Loop: augmentation over replacement
Audience
EPFL AI startups
EPFL students and academia
IMD, MBAs, academia & Alumni
Investors and industry operators
Registration
Mandatory registration. Max. 70 guests.
All external guests are pre-screened and approved.
Participation is subject to approval
Priority is given to IMD MBA students
External participants are accepted only if they bring clear value to the MBA class and organizing Clubs
Disclaimer
This event is a student-led initiative, organized by the IMD Tech Club and Entrepreneurship Club, in collaboration with the EPFL AI Team and with support from IMD Careers. It is not an official IMD institutional event.
Participation is by approval only, with priority given to IMD MBA students. External participants are admitted selectively based on their ability to contribute value to the group. Capacity is limited.
All views expressed during the event reflect the perspectives of the speakers and participants, not IMD.