ESSEC Opens Strategic Hub in Mumbai, India
ESSEC Business School officially opened its new hub in Mumbai on February 18, 2026, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, as part of the Franco-Indian Year of Innovation. The move marks a major step in ESSEC’s long-term international strategy and reinforces its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets: India.
A Strategic ESSEC Hub at the Heart of India’s Growth
With the launch of its Mumbai hub, ESSEC Business School strengthens its institutional footprint in India. The new office becomes the school’s third international hub after London and New York, confirming a scalable and agile global expansion model.
The objective is clear: accelerate academic development, deepen corporate partnerships and enhance student mobility between Europe and Asia.
Led by Sophie Collet Khanna, an experienced Franco-Indian higher education professional, the Mumbai hub will focus on developing high-level academic collaborations, increasing the recruitment of Indian students, activating the local alumni network and strengthening ties with Indian business leaders.
The announcement, made during the Franco-Indian Year of Innovation, highlights both the diplomatic and strategic importance of ESSEC’s expansion in India.
Strengthening Global Mobility and Corporate Partnerships
India represents one of the most dynamic economic ecosystems in the world. For ESSEC, establishing a hub in Mumbai creates a direct gateway to emerging markets and fast-growing industries.
The hub aims to facilitate cross-border student mobility, promote executive education opportunities and reinforce corporate engagement. In a globalized job market, exposure to India’s innovation landscape offers students a significant competitive advantage.
This initiative further consolidates ESSEC’s global identity while adapting its academic model to regional economic realities.
STEM-B: Integrating Business and Technology
The Mumbai expansion aligns with ESSEC’s broader strategic vision developed in partnership with CentraleSupélec: the STEM-B model.
STEM-B integrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with Business education to address the needs of modern industries and complex technological environments.
ESSEC and CentraleSupélec already deliver several joint programs in France, including the MSc CentraleSupélec ESSEC Entrepreneurs, the Master in Data Sciences & Business Analytics, the BSc in Artificial Intelligence, Data and Management Sciences and the HEPTA Bachelor program for high-level athletes.
In the Indian context, known for its technological innovation and entrepreneurial dynamism, the STEM-B approach gains strategic relevance and long-term growth potential.
Academic Excellence: Partnerships with IIM Bangalore and ISB
Alongside the Mumbai hub, ESSEC is strengthening partnerships with two leading Indian institutions.
With IIM Bangalore, a dual degree program enables students to earn ESSEC’s Master in Management (MiM) alongside IIMB’s MBA, enhancing academic excellence and global employability.
Collaboration with the Indian School of Business (ISB) is also expanding through increased student exchanges and academic cooperation.
These partnerships offer students deep exposure to emerging markets, multicultural environments and one of the world’s most vibrant economic ecosystems.
A Global Strategy Rooted in ESSEC’s DNA
Founded in 1907, ESSEC Business School hosts more than 8,500 students across four campuses in Cergy, La Défense, Rabat and Singapore. The institution partners with 240 academic institutions worldwide and counts a global alumni network of 79,000 graduates.
The opening of the Mumbai hub is not an opportunistic expansion but a continuation of a structured international strategy focused on educating multicultural leaders capable of navigating complex global environments.
As ESSEC Executive President and Dean Vincenzo Vinzi stated, the Mumbai hub represents the next chapter in the school’s international expansion and an opportunity to shape the future of management education in India.
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