ICN Business School

What ICN Business School does

ICN Business School is a private higher education institution founded in 1905 in Nancy, France, recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and holding the 'triple crown' of business school accreditations (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), which places it within the top 1% of business schools globally. The school operates three European campuses — Nancy (its historic, 36,000 m² American-style main campus in the ARTEM district), Paris La Défense (serving the corporate recruitment corridor around CAC 40 headquarters), and Berlin (inaugurated in 2025 in the Moabit district) — and educates approximately 3,300 students, of whom 38% are international, supported by 88 permanent professors (94% PhD-holding), 200 visiting lecturers, and 400 expert practitioners.

Its core product is a portfolio of state-recognised degree programmes: a Bachelor en Management (Grade de Licence, RNCP 37689), an International BBA, the flagship Programme Grande École / Master in Management (Grade de Master, RNCP 39271), ten specialised MSc tracks (Finance, Marketing, Luxury, Supply Chain, Greentech, Digital Marketing, etc.), DBA and PhD programmes, and an AMBA-accredited Executive MBA. The proprietary #ATM (Art, Technology, Management) pedagogy, developed through the Alliance Artem with engineering school Mines Nancy and art school ENSAD Nancy, is the school's central methodological differentiator and is integrated across all programmes. The curriculum is reinforced by 24,000 alumni, 180 corporate partners, and 130–145 international university partners supporting exchanges, double degrees, and apprenticeship (alternance) pathways.

ICN's business model is primarily tuition-driven — approximately 80% of funding comes from student fees (Bachelor €8,900–€10,000/yr, BBA €9,900/yr, Master in Management €14,500–€14,800/yr, MSc €13,000–€15,000/yr) — supplemented by corporate partnerships, mécénat (philanthropy with French 60% tax deductions), apprenticeship contracts where employers fund tuition, and Executive Education through the Corporate Lab. Direct-to-consumer recruitment is conducted via the school's website (icn-artem.com), the myicn.fr admissions portal, the CommonApp platform for international applicants, Campus France partnerships, WhatsApp engagement, digital campaigns, and on-campus recruitment forums, with the school holding a renewed 'Bienvenue en France' label through April 2031 to facilitate international intake.

Name

ICN Business School

Legal name

ICN Business School

Website

https://icn-artem.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ICN Business School is a triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) French Grande École founded in 1905, delivering undergraduate, master's, MSc, doctoral, and executive programmes across Nancy, Paris La Défense, and Berlin campuses for roughly 3,300 students, primarily funded through tuition fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business School / Higher Education in Management

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN)

Keywords

• Business school education
• Management degree programs
• Master in management
• Executive education
• Higher education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nancy-sur-cluses

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: ICN Business School's primary revenue source (80% of total funding). Fees vary by programme: Bachelor €8,900–€10,000/year, International BBA €9,900/year, Master in Management €14,500–€14,800/year, MSc €13,000–€15,000/year. International students pay a €4,000 deposit upon enrollment.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Mécénat (Corporate Philanthropy): Companies support ICN through financial donations, in-kind contributions, or skills-based volunteering. Donations open tax advantages (60% deduction for companies). Partnerships include participation in pedagogical committees, business case teaching, recruitment forums, and the Corporate Lab.
3. Corporate Lab & Executive Education: Custom training programmes for companies addressing digital transformation, future skills, remote management, CSR, and technostress. Also includes Executive MBA (AMBA accredited), Formacadre certification, and short professional modules.
4. Apprenticeship Contracts: Companies fund student tuition and pay salaries through apprenticeship contracts (available from Year 2 of Bachelor and Year 1 of Master in Management). Revenue flows to the school via company sponsorship of apprenticeship contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICN Business School delivers accredited higher education programmes in management and business, from undergraduate Bachelor degrees through Master's-level Programme Grande École and specialised MSc tracks to doctoral DBA/PhD programmes, alongside an Executive MBA and short Summer Programmes. All offerings are built on the proprietary #ATM (Art, Technology, Management) pedagogy developed in collaboration with Mines Nancy and ENSAD Nancy under the Alliance Artem framework, and are delivered across three European campuses in Nancy, Paris La Défense, and Berlin.

Product overview

ICN Business School offers a comprehensive portfolio of higher education programmes across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The school operates as a unified platform combining the #ATM pedagogical methodology (Art, Technology, Management) with triple-accredited degree programmes. The core offering includes Bachelor en Management and International BBA at undergraduate level; Programme Grande École/Master in Management as the flagship generalist master's; nine specialised MSc programmes spanning finance, marketing, luxury, supply chain, and innovation; doctoral programmes (DBA and PhD); Executive Education including an AMBA-accredited Executive MBA; and short-term Summer Programmes. All programmes are delivered across three European campuses (Nancy, Paris La Défense, Berlin) with international exchange and double-degree opportunities. The school emphasises transdisciplinary learning through the #ATM approach as a differentiating methodology integrated across all offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor en Management A three-year (Bac+3) undergraduate management programme recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education, awarding a state-recognised Grade de Licence (Level 6). Available on Nancy and Paris La Défense campuses in French or English, covering economics, marketing, finance, communication and project management with specialisations. Fees: Year 1 €9,000; Year 2 €9,000; Year 3 €8,900 (direct entry €10,000).
• International BBA A four-year (Bac+4) bilingual, predominantly English-taught Bachelor's programme designed to prepare students for management roles in a global context with cultural diversity exposure across ICN campuses (Paris and Berlin) and 130+ partner universities. Tuition: €9,900/year.
• Programme Grande École / Master in Management The school's flagship five-year (Bac+5) general management programme, accredited at Master's level and conferring the Grade de Master, recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education (RNCP qualification no. 39271, Level 7). Available on Paris, Nancy, and Berlin campuses in French and English with work-study option from Year 1. Tuition: Year 1 €14,800 (€14,500 on French page); Gap year €1,000; Extension €1,500.
• MSc Banque et gestion de patrimoine (Banking & Wealth Management) A specialised one-year (or two-year) MSc programme in banking and wealth management delivering expertise in wealth management, banking economics, finance, law, taxation, and digitalisation, including AMF certification. Tuition: Year 1 €13,000; Year 2 €13,000; direct entry Year 2 €15,000.
• MSc Brand & Marketing Management A specialised MSc programme focusing on marketing strategy, product innovation, branding, and marketing management to develop expertise in brand and marketing disciplines. Tuition: Year 1 €13,000; Year 2 €13,000.
• MSc Corporate Finance & Tech A specialised MSc programme combining corporate finance expertise with technology integration, preparing students for finance roles in tech-enabled environments.
• MSc Finance, risques et marchés (Finance, Risk and Markets) A specialised MSc programme in finance, risk management, and markets, covering financial analysis, risk assessment, and market dynamics. Also available in an English-language version at the Berlin campus.
• MSc Innovative Business Models & Greentech Start-ups A specialised MSc programme focusing on innovative business model design and greentech start-up development, combining entrepreneurship with sustainable technology expertise.
• MSc Luxe et design management (Luxury & Design Management) A specialised MSc programme in luxury and design management preparing students for management roles in the luxury sector, with a focus on retail management, visual merchandising, and customer experience.
• MSc Marketing digital et stratégies d'influence (Digital Marketing & Influence Strategies) A specialised MSc programme in digital marketing and influence strategies covering SEM, content strategies, web marketing tools, and brand image management in digital ecosystems.
• MSc Performance commerciale et relation client (Sales & Customer Relationship) A specialised MSc programme focusing on commercial performance and customer relationship management, developing expertise in sales and client relations.
• MSc Smart & Sustainable Supply Chain Management A specialised MSc programme in smart and sustainable supply chain management, combining supply chain operations with sustainability and digital transformation expertise.
• DBA - Doctorate in Business Administration A Doctorate in Business Administration (Bac+8) providing advanced research-oriented doctoral education for business professionals and academics.
• PhD - Doctorate A PhD doctoral programme (Bac+8) offering rigorous academic research preparation in business and management disciplines.
• Executive MBA (AMBA-accredited) and Executive Education An 18-month Executive MBA programme accredited by AMBA, designed for experienced managers and executives seeking to advance their leadership capabilities. Also encompasses the Corporate Lab custom training portfolio (digital transformation, future skills, remote management, CSR, technostress) and the Formacadre certification for corporate clients.
• Summer Programme Short-term summer programmes offering international academic experiences for students seeking exposure to ICN's #ATM pedagogy during summer sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of Master in Management graduates employed within 6 months of graduation
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BNP ParibascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNP Paribas is a long-standing corporate partner of ICN Business School. The collaboration is described as 'durable and constructive,' with formations aligned to BNP Paribas's business needs. The bank sources ICN students for internships, apprenticeships, and full-time roles. The partnership features fluid collaboration, active listening, and co-construction of tailored actions. BNP Paribas values ICN's agility and its ability to co-develop HR solutions. Alumni of ICN are recruited into BNP Paribas teams.
• PwC LuxembourgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPwC Luxembourg has a long-standing, continuously developing partnership with ICN. The firm participates in teaching, supervises student projects, attends recruitment forums, and hosts ICN graduates. PwC values ICN's agile and innovative educational approach, its solid academic foundations, entrepreneurial spirit, and quest for excellence. Each year, PwC Luxembourg welcomes numerous ICN graduates into its teams.
• OrangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrange collaborates with ICN through a work-study (alternance) partnership. Orange's HR contacts describe the exchange with ICN as 'fluid and efficient,' and highlight that they have welcomed many students with diverse profiles whose dynamism and eagerness to learn are valuable assets for Orange's teams.
• Mines Nancy (École des Mines de Nancy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMines Nancy is a founding partner of the Alliance Artem alongside ICN and ENSAD Nancy. This collaboration underpins the unique #ATM (Art, Technology, Management) pedagogy. ICN also offers double degree programmes with Mines Nancy (Civil Engineering degree), accessible after Year 2 of ICN, combining engineering and management education.
• ENSAD Nancy (École nationale supérieure d'art et de design de Nancy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENSAD Nancy co-founded the Alliance Artem with ICN and Mines Nancy, which is the basis for ICN's #ATM pedagogy. The collaboration brings art and design perspectives into business education, fostering multidisciplinary and creative approaches to management training.
• CentraleSupélecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN offers a double degree with CentraleSupélec Paris-Saclay. After Year 2 of ICN, students can complete an MSc in Technology and Management at CentraleSupélec over 12 months (8 months coursework + 4 months company placement + dissertation in English).
• Université de LorraineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversité de Lorraine is listed as a partner institution. ICN benefits from its location in the Lorraine region and collaboration on academic programmes, double degrees (ENSGSI Nancy), and research activities.
• Campus FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus France administers the 'Bienvenue en France' quality label for international student reception (held by ICN since April 2026 for 5 years) and manages the Eiffel Scholarship programme through which ICN students can receive €1,181/month. Campus France also supports ICN's international student recruitment efforts.
• 130–145 International University Partners (global network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICN has partnerships with 130–145 universities across 40–46 countries, enabling student exchanges, double degrees, and international study experiences. Key partners include HEC Montréal (Canada), Duquesne University and Georgia Tech (USA), Hanyang University and Nagoya University of Business and Commerce (Asia), and Deusto Business School (Spain). Students can spend a semester or full year abroad, with double degree options in 10 countries.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Audencia: Nantes-based French business school with triple accreditation, offering Bachelor, Master, MBA, and doctoral programmes. Direct peer in size, scope, and competitive tier.
• EM Strasbourg Business School: Regional French Grande École affiliated with the University of Strasbourg, triple-accredited. Comparable programme structure and similar target segments, including international students attracted by France's regional cities.
• IESEG School of Management: Triple-accredited French business school with campuses in Lille and Paris-La Défense. Comparable programme portfolio (Bachelor, PGE, MSc) and similar positioning in French rankings.
• EDHEC Business School: French Grande École with triple accreditation and multiple campuses (Lille, Nice, Paris, London, Singapore). Direct competitor to ICN in mid-tier French business education and internationalisation strategy.
• TBS Education: Toulouse-based triple-accredited business school with campuses in Toulouse, Paris, Barcelona, Casablanca, and London. Competes with ICN in the same French mid-tier ranking bracket and international expansion model.
• KEDGE Business School: Triple-accredited French business school formed from merger of Euromed and BEM, with campuses in Marseille, Bordeaux, Paris, Shanghai, and Dakar. Comparable programme mix and corporate engagement model.
• NEOMA Business School: French business school with campuses in Reims, Rouen, and Paris, holding triple accreditation. Competes directly with ICN for the same tier of students, corporate partners, and rankings.

Broad incumbents

• HEC Paris: France's top-ranked business school and global elite institution, much larger and more prestigious than ICN. Operates in the same programme categories (Grande École, MSc, MBA, Executive Education) but commands top-tier pricing and employer mindshare.
• ESCP Business School: Pan-European business school with campuses across six countries and triple accreditation. Larger and more internationally distributed than ICN; sets the bar for multi-campus European business education strategy that ICN is pursuing with Berlin.
• ESSEC Business School: Top-tier French Grande École with campuses in Cergy, La Défense, Singapore, and Morocco. Significantly larger and more established than ICN; competes for the same employer partners and high-achieving students at the premium end.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICN_NancyMetz
• Facebookfacebook.com/ICNBusinessSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/779hrqh0m9u2z3

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICN Business School