Program Overview

Introduction to the Master Project (PDM) Program

The École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers a unique opportunity for master's students to transform their diploma project into a genuine entrepreneurial adventure. This program, known as the Master Project (PDM), allows students to develop a start-up within a research laboratory over a period of 25 weeks, combining academic excellence, technological innovation, and strategic support.

Program Description

The PDM program is designed for master's students who have completed all their compulsory courses and internships. The program is open to students from all academic sections of the EPFL, except for Architecture. The selection process is based on a dossier, and the number of places is limited.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PDM program, students must:

• Be enrolled at the EPFL
• Have completed all their compulsory courses and internships
• Have found a professor who agrees to supervise their project and whose research domain is related to the start-up project
• Have a good understanding of the market and be able to articulate clear entrepreneurial objectives for their project

Program Structure

The PDM program combines academic supervision with business coaching. The program includes:

• A kick-off session with all stakeholders (professor, business coach, VPI coordinator, and student)
• Regular meetings with the professor and business coach
• An evaluation at mid-term to assess the project's progress and adjust the strategy if necessary
• A final defense of the master's project

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria for the PDM program include:

• The project's academic quality and relevance
• The project's commercial potential and viability
• The student's ability to explain and defend their project
• The student's technical skills and background
• The project's alignment with the professor's research domain and the EPFL's strategic objectives

Application Process

The application process for the PDM program involves four stages:

1. Initial Contact and Information: Students contact the VPI to express their interest in the program and receive information on the application process.
2. Dossier Part 1: Students submit a preliminary application, which includes a detailed description of their project, their motivations, and their expected outcomes.
3. Dossier Part 2: Students who pass the first stage submit a complete dossier, which includes a detailed project plan, a market analysis, and a business plan.
4. Oral Presentation: Students who pass the second stage are invited to present their project to a selection committee, which evaluates their project's potential and their ability to defend it.

Program Benefits

The PDM program offers students a unique opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills, work on a real-world project, and receive support from experienced professors and business coaches. The program also provides access to the EPFL's network of start-ups, investors, and industry partners.

Success Stories

The PDM program has a track record of success, with many students going on to launch their own start-ups and achieve significant milestones. For example, Aziz Belkhiria, a former PDM student, founded DPhi Space, a start-up that develops solutions for space exploration. DPhi Space has raised over 2 million Swiss francs in funding and launched its first satellite.

Conclusion

The PDM program is a unique opportunity for master's students to develop their entrepreneurial skills, work on a real-world project, and receive support from experienced professors and business coaches. The program is highly competitive, but it offers a unique chance for students to launch their own start-ups and achieve significant milestones.