[Portrait] Technological innovation and entrepreneurship: Thomas Steip

Thomas Steip: " A great opportunity to learn about project management through a topic of technological innovation ."

The PEIT program is not just for students with an entrepreneurial spirit! Thomas Steip is proof of that. He completed the program while working on a technological innovation project with a deep tech startup.

• Why did you choose PEIT?
  At the end of my first year, I wanted to supplement my engineering training with more cross-disciplinary skills.
  I was interested in entrepreneurship and its ecosystem. I was eager to learn more about innovation, methodologies, processes, intellectual property, corporate finance, etc. I thought this program would be a good opportunity to develop my skills in these areas.
• How did this experience go?
  The PEIT is aimed at students who want to pursue an entrepreneurial project, but that's not all! I didn't want to launch my own project. I preferred to work with a company on a technological innovation project.
  It was a deep tech start-up whose values and vision appealed to me. Their project aims to decarbonize maritime transport by developing a vertical, smart propulsion wing for commercial ships.
  I contacted them with the support of Sandra Cologne and Bruno Fayolle, and the company gave me a problem to solve. From there, the project was launched!
  At the same time, I was attending PEIT workshops and seminars. We had speakers such as Louis Ickx, a consultant, and Quentin Plantec, a professor of Strategy and Innovation. Their feedback is sometimes harsh, but it helps us progress quickly!
  We also had the opportunity to talk with Michael Haddad, Director of Innovation and Partnerships at Alstom, and Eric Maman, Director of the DigiLab Network at Sopra Steria.
• What conclusions do you draw from this?
  I think I learned a lot about project management. I put together a team by recruiting five students from my class and applied what I learned in the PEIT workshops directly to this project: innovation methodologies, intellectual property, defining needs and solutions, etc.
  It was also a very professionalizing experience because I worked alongside the company's teams, and it was empowering because I was in charge of the project, the team, the contractual and confidentiality aspects, etc. 
  PEIT is a great opportunity to learn about project management around a topic of technological innovation within a company. The individualized support and coaching is a big plus.
  We receive a lot of advice on our career path, but also on the resources available at the school, in partner research laboratories, and even from the legal department. 
• What are your plans for the future?
  I really enjoyed innovation and project management, so I think I'll continue along that path.
  I'm going to apply for the Master's in Prospective, Innovation, and Disruption at the Michel Serres Center. 

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