THE PROGRAM
Our lecturers include a combination of academic experts in innovation domains, and experienced industry experts who bring their vast, practical knowledge base into the courses.
Our teaching approach is dynamic, interactive and highly engaging, immersing participants in the real challenges of leading innovation and technology in a complex world.
The program has 6 building blocks and over 20 courses, starting from idea generation, developing holistic innovation strategies, up until managing and executing sales. It also includes a 2-day innovation sprint – the Business Innovation Challenge – to solve a company’s real-life innovation challenge.
THE COURSES
- Entrepreneurial Innovation
- Leadership
- Innovation Strategy
- Business Model Innovation
- Corporate Innovation
- Principles of Accounting
- Strategic Marketing
- Managerial Finance
- Intellectual Property Strategy
- Presentation Skills
- Digital Transformation & New Technologies
- Global Economics
- IT Strategy
- Change Management
- Data and AI Workshop
- Sustainable Innovation
- Commercial to Personal Branding
- Responsible Supply Chain & Operations
- Strategic Decision Making
- Organizing for Innovation
- CSR & Organizational Ethics
- Sales & Negotiations
Note: The program’s curriculum is reviewed every year to ensure continuous improvement and relevance. As such, courses and projects (including timing) may vary slightly from year to year.
PROJECTS & CHALLENGES TO GAIN EXPERIENCE
Business Venture Project
A VITAL ELEMENT OF THE EPFL EMBA IS LEARNING TO ADDRESS ALL NECESSARY STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUSINESS PLAN.
It requires participants to produce a realistic and detailed multi-year action plan that identifies risks and addresses how to mitigate them. Working in teams allows participants to experience issues related to leadership, collaboration, motivation, and personal differences, and encourages groups to solve these issues to ensure the optimal outcome.
Strategic & Innovative Project
THE HIGHLY PRACTICAL STRATEGIC AND INNOVATIVE PROJECT (SIP) IS AN APPLICATION-IN-CONTEXT OF KNOWLEDGE GENERATED OVER THE COURSE OF THE EPFL EMBA PROGRAM.
This individual thesis work is usually conducted at and for the company where each participant is employed. The SIP can be an analysis of a new process, product or service, or the evaluation of transitioning an existing product or service into a new market. Alternatively, the SIP can be a detailed analysis of an existing business or planned strategy to project future performance that offers enhanced or alternative solutions. Most importantly, the SIP is intended to have practical relevance to the participant’s firm.
Business Innovation Challenge
INTENSIVE INNOVATION SPRINT WORKING ON REAL-LIFE CASES OF A COMPANY FACING AN INNOVATION CHALLENGE.
Over one intensive weekend, teams work on a company’s real business challenge, and innovate under time pressure to develop recommendations based on the acquired knowledge of the program.
Global Immersion Study Trip
A HIGHLIGHT OF THE EPFL EMBA PROGRAM IS THE GLOBAL IMMERSION STUDY TRIP
It is an opportunity for participants to combine and apply all the learnings of this executive program in a practical setting while understanding how diverse cultural influences impact businesses. A key benefit is that participants learn that there are business opportunities in alternative markets.
Participants work in small teams, each with a young, dynamic company or organization to help solve a current business challenge facing the company.
Accommodation, most meals, and organized activities are all included as part of the program fee, however participants are required to purchase their own flights.
Study Trip 2022, Cape Town, South Africa
JOIN THE AUGUST 2026 CLASS
Applications for program starting in August 2026 opening soon.
Note: Applications for August 2025 are now closed.