What CESI Entreprise does

CESI Entreprise is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 1958 that operates one of France's largest private engineering education networks. The institution runs 26 campuses across all major French regions, training approximately 28,000 students annually across five domains: BTP & Génie Civil, Industrie & Innovation, Informatique & Numérique, RH & Management, and QSE & Développement Durable. Its portfolio spans bac+2 technician programs through bac+8 doctoral research, anchored by CTI-accredited engineering degrees (Programme Grande École) and CGE-labeled Mastère Spécialisé® programs. The school serves both initial-education students (recruited primarily via Parcoursup) and working professionals (via apprenticeship contracts and continuing education), supported by 1,600 full-time collaborators and a network of 8,000 partner companies.

The business model combines four revenue streams: (1) student-paid tuition (e.g., €13,000/year for Mastère Spécialisé® in student status); (2) enterprise-financed apprenticeship contracts where companies cover tuition and compensate students; (3) B2B continuing education and professional retraining funded through CPF, Pro-A, and direct employer investment; and (4) research and partnership revenue. Pedagogy is delivered through 26 physical campuses plus specialized facilities — LAB'CESI innovation labs, VR'LAB, Créativ'Lab, BIM rooms, and a Rouen-based Industry 4.0 demonstrator — backed by the LINEACT research unit. Governance is unique for the sector: CESI is controlled by company leaders and six professional federations (UIMM, FFB, FNTP, FFIE, Numeum, UTPF), which gives it direct industry relevance but also constrains it as a non-acquirable, non-profit entity.

CESI claims material macroeconomic footprint: a UTOPIES economic impact study reports €927M of annual GDP generated nationally and 36,000+ jobs supported, with a 3x employment multiplier effect. The organization holds 2025-2028 DD&RS sustainability certification (CIRSES), the Happy at School 2025 label, and operates the specialized mobility subsidiary ISMANS CESI (Le Mans). Internationalization is delivered through 170 university partnerships, Erasmus+, Fulbright (signed 2026), and dedicated international tracks including Foundation Years and Master of Science programs.

Name

CESI Entreprise

Legal name

CESI - Association loi de 1901

Website

https://cesi.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CESI Entreprise is a French non-profit engineering school founded in 1958, operating 26 campuses nationwide and training roughly 28,000 students annually across five technical domains — from bac+2 technician programs through CTI-accredited engineering degrees and Mastère Spécialisé® programs — serving both initial students and enterprise-funded apprentices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Engineering education
• Higher education
• Vocational training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices26 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Student Status: Revenue from tuition fees paid by students in initial education programs including engineering degrees, Bachelors, and Mastère Professionnel. Programs available under student status with tuition rates publicly disclosed for some programs.
2. Tuition Fees - Professional/Apprentice Status: Revenue from enterprise-funded training contracts where companies finance employee education through apprenticeship or professional contracts. Mastère Spécialisé tuition of €13,000 for student status; apprenticeship programs are financed and compensated by employing enterprises.
3. Continuing Education and Professional Training (B2B): Corporate training programs for employee upskilling, reskilling, and certification, including Executive programs, professional certificates, and customized enterprise solutions. Financed through CPF, Pro-A, professional conversion programs, and direct company investment.
4. Apprenticeship Contracts: Revenue from alternating training programs where students split time between campus and employer, with companies paying apprenticeship taxes and student salaries. Major pathway for engineering and technical programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CESI Entreprise operates a French engineering school (association loi 1901 non-profit) delivering higher education and vocational training from Bac+2 technician level through Bac+8 doctoral level across 26 campuses in France. Core offerings include the flagship Programme Grande École engineering degree (5-year integrated curriculum), accelerated 3-year engineering degrees, bachelor programs, Mastère Professionnel (Bac+5) and CGE-labeled Mastère Spécialisé® (Bac+6) programs, executive continuing education, apprenticeship (alternance) pathways, and doctoral research, organized across five domains: BTP & Génie Civil, Industrie & Innovation, Informatique & Numérique, RH & Management, and QSE & Développement Durable.

Product overview

CESI École d'Ingénieurs operates as a comprehensive engineering education institution offering a multi-level portfolio of programs from bac+2 (technician) through bac+8 (doctoral), organized within five core domains: BTP & Génie Civil (Construction & Civil Engineering), Industrie & Innovation (Industry & Innovation), Informatique & Numérique (IT & Digital), RH & Management (Human Resources & Management), and QSE & Développement Durable (Quality, Safety, Environment & Sustainable Development). The core offering centers on the Programme Grande École leading to engineering degrees, supplemented by vocational technicians (bac+2), bachelor's degrees (bac+3), professional master's (bac+5), CGE-labeled Mastère Spécialisé® programs (bac+6), executive/continuing education, doctoral research, and international programs. Specialized offerings include ISMANS CESI (École des Mobilités) focused on mobility engineering. The institution operates across 26 campuses in France and maintains research units including LINEACT, LAB'CESI, VR'LAB, and Créativ'Lab for applied research and innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LINEACT: CESI's research unit focused on construction, engineering, and sustainable development research.
• LAB'CESI
• VR'LAB
• Créativ'Lab

Products and services

• Programme Grande École The flagship engineering program offering a 5-year integrated curriculum (2-year preparatory cycle + 3-year engineering cycle) with specialized tracks including a bilingual English section for international careers, leading to a CTI-accredited engineering diploma.
• Cursus Ingénieur en 5 ans Five-year engineering degree pathway with integrated preparatory cycle covering scientific fundamentals, technical skills, and methodological competencies, followed by three years of specialization leading to the CTI-accredited engineering diploma.
• Cursus Ingénieur en 3 ans Three-year accelerated engineering degree for students entering with CPGE or Bac+2/3 qualifications, enabling direct integration into the engineering cycle and award of the engineering diploma.
• Cursus Technicien Supérieur (Bac+2) Two-year technician program at Bac+2 level preparing students for advanced technical roles in industry, construction, and digital sectors.
• Bachelor de Spécialité Three-year bachelor's degree offering specialized professional training in various technical and management domains.
• Bachelor en Sciences et Ingénierie Three-year bachelor's degree focused on science and engineering fundamentals with practical application and industry alignment.
• Bachelor Passerelle Ingénieur·e Bridge program enabling bachelor's graduates to transition into the engineering degree pathway, facilitating vertical mobility within CESI's offerings.
• Mastère Professionnel (Bac+5) Master-level professional degree at Bac+5 offering specialized training in areas such as digital project management, industrial performance, and quality management.
• Mastère Spécialisé® (Bac+6) CGE-labeled specialized master's degree at Bac+6 level offering advanced specialization tracks including Industry 4.0, Information Systems Security, BIM, and Digital Project Management, with tuition of €13,000 per year under student status.
• Mastère Spécialisé® Manager Industrialisation 4.0 Bac+6 specialized master's program training project managers to lead digital transformation and Industry 4.0 deployment in manufacturing environments, covering connected equipment, real-time performance, and technological watch; co-accredited with ESIGELEC.
• Programme Doctoral PhD-level research program offered in partnership with HESAM Université, enabling advanced research contributions in engineering and applied sciences.
• Programmes Internationaux Suite of international programs including Foundation Years, Bachelor's Degree, Diplôme d'Ingénieur en 5 ans, Master's Degree, Mastère Spécialisé®, Master of Science, and Short Programs for global student mobility through 170 university partnerships.
• Programme Executive Continuing professional development offerings including certificates, specialized master's, vocational training, and continuing engineering education (IDPE) for working professionals and career changers; financed via CPF, Projet de Transition Professionnelle, Pro-A, contrat de professionnalisation, and company training plans.
• ISMANS CESI (École des Mobilités) Specialized engineering school within the CESI group located in Le Mans, focused on mobility technologies, offering tracks in operational excellence, modeling/calculation/optimization, matter and energy, and advanced mechanical sports technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 927 M€ GDP generated annually in France
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, key, core and minor.

• Fulbright ProgramstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Alliance to strengthen transatlantic research collaboration between CESI researchers and American academic institutions. Part of broader internationalization strategy.
• CeremastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Strategic partnership for ecological transition, sustainable cities, and infrastructure development. Leverages Cerema's public expertise in territorial development to enhance CESI research and training in sustainable development.
• UTOPIESkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Conducted independent economic impact study using the Local Footprint® methodology, revealing CESI generates 927 M€ GDP and supports 36,000+ jobs in France. This partnership provided third-party validation of the institution's economic contribution.
• Erasmus+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean mobility program enabling student and staff exchanges with partner universities across Europe. Essential for international experience component of CESI programs.
• CGE (Conférence des Grandes Écoles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational conference of French grande écoles. CESI participates in this prestigious network of elite French higher education institutions, contributing to policy discussions and maintaining standards alignment.
• CTI (Commission des Titres d'Ingénieur)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccrediting body for engineering degrees in France. CTI accreditation is essential for CESI to award recognized engineering diplomas, representing mandatory quality certification.
• CDEFI (Conférence des Directeurs des Écoles Françaises d'Ingénieurs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference of French engineering school directors. CESI participates in this professional body representing and defending the interests of French engineering education institutions.
• UIMM (Union des Industries et Métiers de la Métallurgie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor professional branch representing metalworking and manufacturing industries. One of six professional branches in CESI governance, ensuring curriculum relevance to industrial sector needs.
• FFB (Fédération Française du Bâtiment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Building Federation representing construction industry. Professional branch in CESI governance helping align BTP & Génie Civil programs with sector requirements.
• FNTP (Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Federation of Public Works. Professional branch in CESI governance providing expertise for civil engineering and infrastructure training programs.
• FFIE (Fédération Française des Intégrateurs Électriciens)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Federation of Electrical Integrators. Professional branch in CESI governance contributing to electrical engineering and building systems curriculum development.
• NumeumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization for digital technology companies in France. Professional branch in CESI governance ensuring IT and digital programs reflect industry needs.
• UTPF (Union des Transports Publics et Ferroviaires)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion of Public and Rail Transport. Joined CESI governance in May 2023, contributing to transportation and mobility program development at ISMANS.
• ESIGELECstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-accrediting institution for the Mastère Spécialisé® Manager de Projet pour l'Industrie 4.0 program. Joint certification demonstrates cross-institutional collaboration in specialized engineering education.
• Dragons de RouenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional basketball team partnered with CESI Rouen for joint events including Digital Marketing Bootcamp, demonstrating local community engagement and cross-promotional activities.
• Tek'upminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution collaborating with CESI Rouen on student projects and institutional synergies, representing local higher education ecosystem cooperation.
• NextMoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational delegation hosted by CESI Rouen for exchanges on innovation and mobility topics, supporting internationalization and knowledge sharing objectives.
• CESAR (Conférence de l'Enseignement Supérieur de l'Agglomération de Rouen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conference of higher education institutions in Rouen metropolitan area, coordinating events like Pint of Science and promoting regional educational collaboration.
• Association Campus Sciences & Ingénierie Rouen NormandieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus association with ambition to form a regional attractiveness hub for students, researchers, industry sectors, competitiveness clusters, industrialists, and startups in Normandy.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• AFORP / AFPI: French network of apprenticeship training centers (AFPI) affiliated with UIMM providing professional and industrial training. Comparable to CESI's apprenticeship pathways and UIMM-linked governance model, primarily serving regional manufacturing industries.

Direct peers

• INSA Group (Institut National des Sciences Appliquées): Network of seven public French engineering schools (INSA Lyon, Toulouse, Rennes, etc.) offering 5-year integrated engineering degrees. Competes with CESI for post-bac engineering candidates on Parcoursup and for enterprise apprenticeship partnerships across France.
• ESIGELEC: CTI-accredited French engineering school based in Rouen co-accrediting CESI's Mastère Spécialisé® Manager de Projet pour l'Industrie 4.0. Directly comparable as a French engineering school with strong industry 4.0 and electrical engineering focus and similar apprenticeship programs.
• Arts et Métiers ParisTech: Major French engineering grande école network with multiple campuses and CTI-accredited programs in mechanical, industrial, and energy engineering. Directly comparable to CESI as a multi-campus French engineering school serving industry through apprenticeship and initial education pathways.
• JUNIA (HEI / ISA / ISEN): Private non-profit French engineering school network with campuses in Lille, Nantes, and Châteauroux offering engineering programs in IT, industry, and agriculture. Directly comparable as a private multi-campus French engineering school with strong apprenticeship model and B2B training.
• Polytech Group: Network of French public engineering schools within universities offering CTI-accredited engineering diplomas across specialties. Competes with CESI in the public engineering education segment and shares similar multi-campus, multi-specialty structure.
• EPITA / EPITECH (IONIS Education Group): French private engineering schools offering CTI-accredited programs in IT, digital, and computer science. Comparable to CESI's Informatique & Numérique domain as a private alternative for engineering candidates in the digital specialty.
• CESI Alumni Network / ESEO: ESEO is a private French engineering school in Angers with CTI-accredited programs in IT, electronics, and embedded systems. Comparable to CESI's IT & Digital and Industry & Innovation tracks as a private multi-program engineering institution.

Broad incumbents

• IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom): Largest group of French public engineering grande écoles (Mines, Télécom Paris, Télécom SudParis, etc.) under the Ministry of Economy. Comparable as a broader, well-funded incumbent in French engineering education with overlapping industry-focused programs and applied research.
• CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers): Major French public institution dedicated to continuing education and professional training, with nationwide presence. Comparable to CESI's Programme Executive and continuing education offerings as a much larger state-backed incumbent in professional training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/groupecesi1
• Facebookfacebook.com/CESIingenieurs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/cesi-officiel
• Instagraminstagram.com/cesi_officiel
• TikToktiktok.com/@cesi_officiel
• Xx.com/GroupeCESI

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 CESI Entreprise