ESSEC inaugurates its FinLab

On February 5, ESSEC Business School inaugurated its FinLab, a new self-service venue dedicated to finance. Students can now become familiar with the professional tools used in this field, on any of the twelve newly installed Bloomberg terminals. Faculty researchers, too, will be able to make use of these professional tools for their research work.

A learning room dedicated to finance, centrally located on campus. With its towering glass walls, big-screen display connected round-the-clock to the latest financial news, and state-of-the-art Bloomberg terminals, this new ESSEC venue is turning heads. Located at the heart of the campus, between the cafeteria and gymnasium, ESSEC's new FinLab is a place where students can learn to use one of the key financial tools found in every major trading room and large company. The new 50 m2 center will also offer professors optimal conditions for conducting their research.

“The FinLab represents a new stage in the ongoing process of educational innovation that is central to our identity, rejoiced Vincenzo Esposito Vinzi, Dean and President of ESSEC. It contributes to our unique teaching model premised on education through experience. The FinLab’s ambition is to nurture the know-how and soft skills that will turn ESSEC graduates into much sought-after, appreciated candidates on the highly competitive job market in finance.”

Many partners helped make this project a reality: Candriam, Moneta Asset Management, Sanso IS, Paris Seine University, the “Investissements d’Avenir” program of the French National Research Agency, and the ESSEC Alumni, to name a few. The objective is to integrate the FinLab into the overall teaching concept and thus to offer events such as seminars, training programs, trading games, investment competitions, etc. Students can also test for Bloomberg certification.

Our partner testimonials:

Elias Farhat, Chief Strategy Officer at Candriam and ESSEC Alumnus: “The bonds between ESSEC and Candriam have become stronger year after year. Three things unite us: talent, finance and digital technology. Today, we are delighted to be one of the FinLab’s preferred partners. It is a fantastic platform for continued learning and training, on which we can get our students ready for the finance world of the future.”

Romain Burnand, Co-Director of Moneta Asset Management and ESSEC Alumnus: “The FinLab is a remarkable tool that is deserving of every minute students choose to spend there. Having done so, they will need to venture further, stray from the beaten track, search, explore, and show their pioneering spirit.”

David Kalfon, President of Sanso IS: “It is a great pleasure and honor for Sanso IS to be involved in launching and financing of this fine project. Beyond the inauguration, we look forward to vivid interaction with ESSEC student researchers.”

Olivier Stephanopoli, Deputy CEO of OTCex and HPC, and ESSEC Alumnus: “The creation of the ESSEC FinLab fully resonates with the spirit of supporting academic excellence at our school, an institution with both a long-standing tradition and a solid reputation for leadership in teaching economic and financial subjects. Dear teachers, dear students, you now have an interactive working tool that meets the highest standards of excellence, which our school, your school, deserves.”

François Germinet, President of the University of Cergy-Pontoise and interim Administrator of Paris Seine University: “This FinLab is characteristic of the strategy that we are undertaking to develop the Paris Seine Excellence Initiative: developing places of innovation, where students meet and cross paths with professors and companies, at the heart of the institutions. Our idea is to support places of innovation, training and research within the establishments, which will take their excellence to new heights.”