How ESCP's Collective Projects Transform Student Learning into Real-World Impact

Empowering Future Leaders 

ESCP Business School's Bachelor in Management programme has once again demonstrated the success of its innovative Collective Projects initiative. 

Promoted by ESCP with the support of the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Réseau Entreprendre Piemonte, the Collective Projects provide a strong bridge between local companies and a global and multicultural context. From November 2023 to April 2024, around 300 students, organised in 50 international teams, collaborated with 49 companies from the Piedmont region, covering a wide range of sectors from profit to non-profit and the public sector. 

"The 2023/2024 edition of the Collective Projects can be considered a real success," said Prof. Daniele Battaglia, Academic Director of the Bachelor in Management programme at ESCP's Turin campus. "The strong participation of companies in the call for projects, combined with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the students involved in project development, has once again demonstrated how these projects can act as a catalyst for the growth and networking of the Piedmont ecosystem."

The students collaborated with companies and institutions, mainly located within the Turin and Piedmont ecosystem, but also from other regions of Italy, with the aim of creating ‘social welfare’ and spreading innovation in high social impact segments, such as health and physical well-being, social agriculture, education and training, access to services, social housing, and energy efficiency. This programme promotes a deeper integration of local companies into the international landscape, increasing opportunities for collaboration and driving innovation.

Driving Change  

Under the guidance of Collective Projects Coordinator Isabella Ciampa, students addressed a diverse range of business challenges, including business development, marketing, internationalisation, fundraising, and knowledge management. Feedback from the companies involved was positive, highlighting the innovative ideas and practical solutions that the students brought to the table. Many company tutors commented on the students' ability to effectively apply theoretical knowledge in real-life situations. In this edition, out of 50 different projects, two teams stood out for their exceptional work. These teams worked on projects that focused on sustainability and inclusivity. Not only did they demonstrate their commitment to addressing pressing global issues, but they also exemplified the practical impact of the Collective Projects initiative:

• Group 12: Comprising Matthias Botlik, Katrina Hatem, Nathan Melki, Martina Ricceri, Mahmoud Joueidi, and Matteo Palazzo, this team collaborated with KelpEat, a company dedicated to promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits through innovative ocean-inspired snacks made from microalgae. Their efforts culminated in a comprehensive fundraising plan, which included an analysis of the European venture capital ecosystem.
• Group 30: This team, consisting of Claudia Meloni, Ziyun Chi, Johannes Bollhoff, Alessandro Bottigliero, Paulina Peterca, and Rupnanda Bhowmick, worked with Gruppo Pensionati Vanchiglietta APS at Vicina, a project focused on developing an app that provides vital information about urban environments for neurodivergent people, addressing factors such as lighting, crowd levels, and overall atmosphere. Their work involved conducting market research and formulating a business and fundraising plan.

Bridging Theory and Practice  

At ESCP Business School, we firmly believe that theory is nothing without practice. This belief drives our commitment to innovative and collaborative projects that bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. The Collective Projects stand as a powerful example of this philosophy in action. Designed to immerse students in hands-on experiences, these projects foster meaningful collaboration between the business school and the vibrant local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students gain insight into different sectors by working alongside local businesses and collaborating with a wide range of organisations, including start-ups and established companies, allowing them to experience the complexities of business first-hand. This interaction benefits students and provides companies with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, creating a win-win scenario.
In addition, the Collective Projects are an opportunity for students to develop their leadership and management skills in a supportive environment. They learn the intricacies of teamwork, cross-cultural communication and project management while contributing to projects that have a positive impact on society. By combining academic rigour with practical application, we ensure that our students are knowledgeable and able to make a meaningful contribution to their future workplaces and communities.

Companies involved 

Special thanks to all the companies involved: AgerTech, Agribpf srl – laBalocchina, Artàporter SBrl, Associazione Marketplace Specialist, Associazione Progetto Itaca Torino ETS – ODV, Bigbag Web Srl Società benefit, Blue Factory by ESCP Business School, Bmind, CAD One Srl, Dally Therapeutics, Digital Building Blocks APS, Digital4Export Srl, EF Brand, Empethy, EQUILIBREA S.S.D., Eurofork SpA, Evrika, FAIR ENOUGH, Feat. Ventures, Foglizzo Leather, Fondazione LINKS, Fondazione Piemonte Innova, Fondazione Piemontese per la Ricerca sul Cancro , Freecard Sas, FunniFin, Graziadio & C. SpA, Gruppo Pensionati Vanchiglietta APS, Guanxi, Guilds42 APS, Intesa, a Kyndryl Company, i-See Srl, KelpEat SRLS, Labinf Sistemi Srl, Maiora Solutions, Metroconsult, PHI Consulting Firm, Restworld Srl, SAPIN Società Applicazioni Industriali Spa, Sargomma Srl SB, Sintra Consulting Srl, Sunspeker, Synesthesia Srl SB, Talent Acquisition Partners Srl, The Doers, The Rooom Srl società benefit, The Spiritual Machine, Twiper Srl, Vanilla Rocket Srl, Vivaio Ventures Srl.