Stim

What Stim does

Stim is a Paris-based management consulting firm founded in 2014 as a spin-off of Mines ParisTech's CGS (Centre de Gestion Scientifique) research laboratory. The company helps large enterprises — primarily Fortune Global 500 corporations in automotive, energy, defense, financial services, and industrial sectors — design and launch sustainable new businesses compatible with planetary boundaries. Its core intellectual property is the proprietary C-K (Concept-Knowledge) Method, a structured design theory that navigates between Concept space (creative ideation) and Knowledge space (technical feasibility) to systematically generate breakthrough innovations in situations where traditional R&D approaches stall.

The firm monetizes this methodology through three branded service lines: Stim Shift (strategic visioning and ExCom-level transformation engagements), Stim (Re)invent (business design and new venture creation using the C-K method), and Stim Entrepreneur (intrapreneurial acceleration, including the Virtual Startup six-month program). Stim also runs Qualiopi-certified training programs that teach the C-K method to corporate teams, and produces content (whitepapers, a podcast, webinars) to build thought leadership. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales, with direct consulting engagements and quote-based pricing; no public pricing is disclosed.

Revenues flow exclusively from professional services — bespoke consulting engagements and training programs — with no transactional, SaaS, or productized revenue model. The company is privately held and founder-owned, with no disclosed external institutional investment. Stim's headcount is approximately 20 employees, and the firm has completed 200+ breakthrough projects for 60+ Fortune Global 500 clients, including Michelin, Thales, EDF, Safran, Société Générale, Royal Canin, and Danone. Operational footprint is concentrated in France, with global client delivery.

Name

Stim

Legal name

Stim

Website

https://wearestim.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stim is a Paris-based consulting firm and Mines ParisTech spin-off that helps Fortune Global 500 companies design sustainable new businesses using its proprietary C-K (Concept-Knowledge) innovation methodology, delivered through bespoke engagements, training, and intrapreneurial programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Consulting Services

NAICS

Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

Keywords

• Innovation consulting
• Breakthrough innovation
• Sustainable business design
• C-K methodology
• Strategic transformation

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Strategic consulting engagements for Fortune 500 companies on breakthrough innovation, sustainability transition, and business model reinvention. Projects typically involve ExCom engagement, strategic planning, and new business development.
2. Training Programs: Qualiopi-qualified training programs on innovation methods including C-K method, delivered to corporate teams. Programs includeGenerate breakthrough innovation with C-K method, Accelerate innovative project with C-K method, and Innovation methods comparison courses.
3. Whitepapers and Guides: Free downloadable resources including whitepapers, playbooks, and guides on innovation strategy, circular business models, and C-K methodology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stim is an innovation consulting firm that helps Fortune Global 500 companies design, build, and launch sustainable businesses compatible with planetary boundaries. Its core offerings are three consulting services built on the proprietary C-K (Concept-Knowledge) method: Stim Shift (defining a desirable future with executive committees), Stim (Re)invent (designing new businesses using structured scientific methods), and Stim Entrepreneur (transforming ideas into running businesses), plus Qualiopi-certified training programs on the C-K methodology.

Product overview

Stim is a spin-off of Mines ParisTech offering innovation consulting services focused on sustainable business transformation. The company provides three core service offerings: Stim Shift (strategic visioning with executive leadership), Stim (Re)invent (designing new businesses using the C-K scientific method), and Stim Entrepreneur (launching new ventures with experienced entrepreneurs). Additionally, Stim offers professional training programs on the C-K innovation methodology and produces a podcast series on desirable futures. The portfolio is centered around the proprietary C-K (Concept-Knowledge) design theory for breakthrough innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stim Shift: Strategic consulting service to define a desirable future for companies with their Executive Committee (ExCom).
• Stim (Re)invent
• Stim Entrepreneur
• Virtual Startup

Products and services

• Stim Shift Strategic consulting service that defines a desirable future for companies with their Executive Committee (ExCom), guiding leadership through environmental transition challenges and helping organizations envision and prepare for industry transformation.
• Stim (Re)invent Business design service that creates new businesses and solutions based on structured scientific methods, particularly the proprietary C-K (Concept-Knowledge) methodology, enabling systematic generation of breakthrough concepts compatible with planetary boundaries.
• Stim Entrepreneur

Quantifiable outcome

• 10x greater fuel consumption gains achieved vs traditional innovation processes
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Mines ParisTech / CGS (Centre de Gestion Scientifique)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Academic spin-off relationship with Mines ParisTech. Stim was founded as a spin-off of Mines ParisTech, specifically from the CGS (Centre de Gestion Scientifique) research laboratory. The company builds its innovation methods on research from this institution, maintaining ongoing academic ties and research collaboration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• Bain & Company: Global strategy firm with dedicated Innovation & Design and Sustainability practices serving Fortune 500 leadership. Comparable buyer persona (C-suite) and adjacent practice area to Stim's Stim Shift / Stim (Re)invent offerings.
• McKinsey & Company: Largest global management consultancy with McKinsey Sustainability and McKinsey Innovation practices. Active across Stim's customer list (Michelin, EDF, Safran, Société Générale, BNP, Renault), creating competitive pressure on enterprise breakthrough-innovation mandates.
• Capgemini Invent: Digital innovation and transformation arm of Capgemini, providing innovation strategy, sustainability, and new business model design to large enterprises. Competes for ESG and innovation-led reinvention programs at F500 buyers across Europe.
• Roland Berger: Global strategy consultancy with a dedicated sustainability, innovation, and corporate-renewal practice. Competes for the same ExCom-level breakthrough-innovation and business-model-reinvention mandates, especially with European industrial multinationals.
• Wavestone: Larger French-origin consulting firm combining management and digital/IT advisory including innovation and sustainability transformation. Comparable buyer base (large French and European multinationals) but substantially broader portfolio and headcount.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG): Top-tier global strategy firm with dedicated Innovation & Design and Climate & Sustainability practices serving the same Fortune 500 ExCom buyers Stim targets. Indirect competitor for breakthrough-innovation and business-model-reinvention engagements.

Direct peers

• Kaos Land: French consulting firm specializing in corporate transformation, innovation, and new business creation. Operates in the same mid-sized French innovation-boutique segment as Stim with comparable engagement model and customer profile.
• Stratégie & Innovation: French management consulting boutique focused on innovation strategy, business model design, and sustainable transformation for large enterprises. Closely comparable to Stim in size, geography, and practice area (breakthrough innovation for CAC 40 / F500 equivalents).
• Kéa: Paris-based innovation and transformation consulting firm advising large corporates on innovation strategy and new business creation. Highly comparable methodology-driven boutique serving similar ExCom-level buyer personas.

Emerging players

• Alcimed: French innovation and strategy consulting firm helping corporates explore new markets and develop breakthrough innovation projects. Closely comparable in methodology (structured exploration of unknowns), boutique scale, and French/European F500 customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/stim
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovative-design-activities
• Xx.com/wearestim

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Stim