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Each year, the CRÉENSO Prize, a joint initiative by IÉSEG and the Ceetrus Foundation, shines a spotlight on start-ups with strong social impact. On May 23, 2025, the CRÉENSO jury—made up of IÉSEG representatives, members of the Ceetrus Foundation, and committed experts in social innovation—selected two standout initiatives. Libel’Up received the main prize, along with €25,000 in funding, while La Cavalerie Arc-en-Ciel was awarded the “Jury’s Special Prize” special mention and a €5,000 grant.

Earlier this year, 15 entrepreneurs were selected to receive tailored support from master’s students enrolled in IÉSEG’s Grande École Program. Over several months, students worked closely with the entrepreneurs on strategy, communication, business model design, and funding challenges. The goal: to strengthen the sustainability of high-impact social projects while offering students hands-on, meaningful experience in social entrepreneurship.

According to Cyrine BEN HAFAIEDH, Professor in the Grande École Program‘s Entrepreneurship & Innovation track at IÉSEG: “This 2025 edition reflects the maturity of our approach after 14 years of innovation. By working directly with social entrepreneurs, our students develop core skills essential to responsible entrepreneurship—empathy, social awareness, sustainable innovation—while creating tangible value for the French social ecosystem. CRÉENSO shows that entrepreneurial education can be both academically rigorous and a powerful driver of social change.”

Raluca CRISAN, President of the Ceetrus Foundation, adds: “CRÉENSO is more than just a competition. It’s a human and collective adventure that began in 2011, bringing academia and business together around a shared conviction: that social entrepreneurship is a powerful lever for transformation. Each year, we support entrepreneurs who put people, social ties, and impact at the heart of their actions. The 2025 edition is another shining example. Through locally grounded, impactful projects led by committed individuals, we see a vision we deeply believe in at the Ceetrus Foundation: a new way forward based on action, courage, and collaboration. That’s the spirit of CRÉENSO we want to keep nurturing—empowering the next generation of impact entrepreneurs to regenerate life.”

CRÉENSO Prize: Libel’Up: making healthcare more sustainable and accessible

Founded in 2022 by Eusanté, Libel’Up tackles a dual challenge: the waste of still-functional medical equipment, and the lack of access to this equipment among vulnerable populations. The initiative collects, refurbishes, and redistributes medical devices (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc.) across the Hauts-de-France region.

In 2024, Libel’Up became an independent company, continuing its mission with support from its founding partners. Its business model is based on circular economy principles: extending the life of medical equipment, reducing waste, and improving access for all.

Three students worked alongside Libel’Up on a benchmarking project over one semester to help refine its strategic direction and market positioning.

“The students did excellent work and were very committed. Their benchmark study confirmed we’re heading in the right direction, and that our offering is both relevant and aligned with current societal needs. The CRÉENSO Prize funding will also be a real boost for Libel’Up’s next phase of development.”

Quentin BRASSART, Libel’Up

Vincent LEROUX, Pierre CASTERAN, and Auréliane LEHALLE, the students who worked with Libel’Up, comment: “Supporting Libel’Up through CRÉENSO was both a learning opportunity and a deeply rewarding experience. We worked closely with a company making a strong social and environmental impact—helping them structure their growth strategy, explore funding options, and deepen their local roots. Libel’Up stood out to us for its mission to combine economic viability with social utility, a perfect match for our own values.”

“Libel’Up perfectly embodies the Ceetrus Foundation’s vision: regenerating life through initiatives that combine environmental impact with social utility. By reducing waste and making medical equipment more accessible, this project addresses a fundamental need with an innovative and inclusive circular economy approach. We see strong potential for national replication. It’s a true social economy gem and represents the CRÉENSO spirit—we’re proud to support it at this critical early stage.”

Marie Louise PIERESCHI, Executive Director of the Ceetrus Foundation

Jury’s Special Prize: La Cavalerie Arc-en-Ciel – fostering Inclusion through horseback riding

Each year, the CRÉENSO jury selects a special “Coup de Cœur” project to receive additional recognition and support. In 2025, the honor went to La Cavalerie Arc-en-Ciel, founded by Tatiana MOLÉ. This inclusive equestrian center welcomes individuals with disabilities, promoting their well-being and social inclusion through therapeutic riding. The jury was especially moved by the deep human impact of the project and the powerful story behind its creation.

“The support I received from the IÉSEG students was incredibly valuable. They helped me navigate legal challenges, improve our communication and marketing, and enhance our credibility with local stakeholders. They formed a great team and taught me a lot. Receiving the Jury’s Special Prize is a fantastic recognition—not only of the work done so far, but also of the legitimacy this brings to our socially driven horseback riding center. I’m honored to be supported by a business school like IÉSEG, and I’m confident this recognition will further solidify our role in the local community.”

Tatiana MOLÉ, founder of La Cavalerie Arc-en-Ciel

Calixte BARRIQUAND and Antoine LAMPURE, two of the students who supported the project, reflected: “CRÉENSO was incredibly enriching, professionally and personally. With La Cavalerie Arc-en-Ciel, we chose to back a locally rooted initiative with tangible impact. Tatiana gave us insight into the realities of being a female entrepreneur—the challenges, the wins, the people—experiences that inspired our own entrepreneurial ambitions. We worked hard to help her structure and grow the project by identifying key challenges, offering strategic recommendations, tools, and coaching. We hope this journey was just as rewarding for her as it was for us.”

Zhanfan YI, an international student, who also contributed to the project: “As a foreign student, the CRÉENSO experience allowed me to engage with local business practices in France. I contributed across several areas of business management while also experiencing the cultural richness of Brittany. It was a deeply rewarding experience for all of us.”

“This project spoke to us immediately. It captures our commitment to regenerating life—in this case, where animal life helps heal human life. But what touched us even more was Tatiana herself: her resilience, her openness, her generosity. She embraced the students’ support with humility and created a truly enriching human exchange. She exemplifies the kind of leadership CRÉENSO aims to promote: people driven by meaning, courage, and a desire to make a difference.”

Céline COTTREZ, Deputy Executive Director of the Ceetrus Foundation

Since its launch in 2011, the CRÉENSO Prize has supported over 120 social enterprises, underscoring the commitment of IÉSEG and the Ceetrus Foundation to social innovation and sustainable development. The 2025 edition once again highlights the vitality of social entrepreneurship in France—and the essential role of building bridges between higher education, corporate foundations, and mission-driven entrepreneurs.