Institut Aspen France

What Institut Aspen France does

Institut Aspen France is a private, independent, non-partisan non-profit association (association loi 1901) founded in 1983 and headquartered in Paris at 9 Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt. As part of the international Aspen Institute network of 17 centers, it convenes senior leaders from politics, business, academia, media, and civil society for dialogue on strategic issues including geopolitics, geo-economics, European security, and societal challenges. The organization delivers three program formats: private discussion meetings (Déjeuners Géopolitiques, Petits Déjeuners Géo-Économie, Femmes d'Aspen, Science et Société, Lectures d'Aspen), international conferences (Europe-Afrique, France-Italie, Europe-Chine, Europe-Japon, France-Allemagne, CityLab), and multi-day leadership seminars (Young Leaders Engagés, Young European Leaders, Socrates seminars, NextGen, Executive Leadership Seminar).

The institute employs 22 staff and is led by President Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner and Executive Director Claire Laval. Its revenue model rests on individual membership (3,000 EUR/year), corporate membership (15,000 EUR/year), program partnerships (from 25,000 EUR/year), and tax-deductible private donations from over 30 French and international organizations including BNP Paribas, Orange, TotalEnergies, McCourt Global, White & Case, and Latham & Watkins. The organization does not sell technology products; its intellectual output consists of conference reports, a 200+ alumni network from the Young Leaders Engagés program, and content derived from text-based seminar discussions using the Aspen method.

Name

Institut Aspen France

Legal name

Institut Aspen France

Website

https://aspenfrance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Institut Aspen France is a Paris-based non-profit think tank, founded in 1983 and part of the 17-center Aspen Institute network, that convenes senior political, business, and academic leaders through private discussions, international conferences, and leadership seminars on geopolitics, economics, and society.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Think Tank and Leadership Development

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Think tank services
• Leadership development programs
• Policy dialogue forums
• Geopolitics conferences
• Civic engagement initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Individual membership at 3,000 euros per year and corporate membership at 15,000 euros per year, with program partnership starting at 25,000 euros.
2. Private Donations: The institute depends entirely on private donations, with tax deductions available (60% for companies, 66% for individuals). Major supporters include BNP Paribas, Orange, TotalEnergies, McCourt Global, White & Case, Latham & Watkins, and numerous other French and international companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Institut Aspen France is a private, independent, non-partisan non-profit association that organizes private discussion meetings (Déjeuners Géopolitiques, Petits Déjeuners Géo-Économie, Femmes d'Aspen, Science et Société, Lectures d'Aspen), international conferences (Europe-Afrique, France-Italie, Europe-Chine, Europe-Japon, France-Allemagne, CityLab), and multi-day leadership seminars (Young Leaders Engagés, Young European Leaders, Socrates Seminars, NextGen, Executive Leadership Seminar). Programs are delivered to senior leaders from politics, business, academia, and media through individual and corporate memberships.

Product overview

Institut Aspen France is a non-profit think tank offering a portfolio of discussion-based programs centered on collective reflection and humanist values. The organization operates across three main program areas: private discussion meetings (Déjeuners Géopolitiques, Petits Déjeuners Géo-Économie, Femmes d'Aspen, Science et Société, Lectures d'Aspen), international conferences (Europe-Afrique, France-Italie, Europe-Chine, Europe-Japon, France-Allemagne, CityLab), and multi-day leadership seminars (Young Leaders Engagés, Young European Leaders, Socrates Seminars, NextGen, Executive Leadership Seminar). These programs serve as platforms for dialogue among leaders from politics, business, academia, and media, united by a commitment to civic engagement and enlightened public debate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Déjeuners Géopolitiques: Private lunches featuring high-level speakers discussing geopolitical topics
• Petits Déjeuners Géo-Économie
• Femmes d'Aspen
• Science et Société
• Lectures d'Aspen
• Conférence Europe-Afrique
• Young Leaders Engagés
• Young European Leaders
• Socrates Seminars
• NextGen
• Executive Leadership Seminar

Products and services

• Young Leaders Engagés Multi-day seminar program that selects emerging leaders annually to develop engagement skills and civic responsibility through reflection and dialogue on contemporary issues, held at Fondation Mérieux in Annecy.
• Young European Leaders Program connecting young European leaders to foster cross-border dialogue and collaboration on continental challenges.
• Socrates Seminars Multi-day seminars based on classical and modern texts using the Aspen method, exploring fundamental questions of ethics, power, and responsibility.
• NextGen Seminar program for next-generation leaders focusing on contemporary societal challenges.
• Executive Leadership Seminar International seminar bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds to explore contemporary governance and leadership challenges through classical and modern texts.
• Déjeuners Géopolitiques Private lunch discussions featuring high-profile speakers addressing major geopolitical issues.
• Petits Déjeuners Géo-Économie Breakfast discussions on geo-economic topics exploring the intersection of economics and international relations.
• Femmes d'Aspen Private meetings focused on women's leadership and contributions to society across various sectors.
• Science et Société Discussions exploring the relationship between scientific advances and their societal implications.
• Lectures d'Aspen Book-based discussion series examining contemporary issues through literary and philosophical lenses.
• Europe-Afrique Conference Major biennial conference bringing together African and European decision-makers to discuss shared challenges and opportunities, with a focus on youth employment and economic cooperation.
• CityLab International conference exploring urban innovation and city leadership challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ alumni from Young Leaders Engagés program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• BNP ParibascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate partner and supporter of Aspen France, involved in program partnerships including the Young Leaders Engagés program. BNP Paribas President Jean Lemierre regularly participates in Aspen events.
• OrangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French telecommunications company and supporter of Aspen France, notably a partner of the Europe-Afrique conference series.
• TotalEnergiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor energy company and supporter of Aspen France, partner of the Europe-Afrique conference.
• McCourt GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic supporter of Aspen France, supporting programs including Femmes d'Aspen and leadership initiatives.
• White & CasemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational law firm and supporter of Aspen France, co-sponsor of Géoéconomie series events.
• Latham & WatkinsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational law firm supporting Aspen France programs and events.
• EYmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm supporting multiple Aspen France programs including Déjeuners Géopolitiques and Petit-Déjeuner Géoéconomie series.
• Fondation MérieuxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Aspen France seminars including Young Leaders Engagés at the Centre des Pensières in Annecy. Fondation Mérieux President Alain Mérieux is a regular participant.
• The World BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational financial institution partnering on Europe-Afrique conference series.
• OCP GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoroccan phosphate company and supporter of Europe-Afrique conference series.
• Janngo.africamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican investment platform partnering on Europe-Afrique conference and support programs.
• BpifrancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench public investment bank supporting Aspen France programs and European initiatives.
• Clifford ChancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational law firm supporting Europe-Afrique conference series.
• Forvis Mazars GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting and advisory firm supporting Europe-Afrique conference.
• AlixPartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManagement consulting firm supporting Petit-Déjeuner Géoéconomie series.
• ADITminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company listed as supporter of Aspen France.
• Women's Forum for the Economy & SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal partnership signed March 12, 2024 for joint initiatives promoting women's leadership and gender equality in society.
• Aspen Institute RomaniamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Aspen sister institute collaborating on GMF Bucharest Forum and European security discussions.
• Aspen Institute KyivmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkrainian Aspen institute collaborating on geopolitical discussions including Ukraine reconstruction and European integration.
• Institut de FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious French institution hosting Aspen France's 40th anniversary celebration and providing venue for major events.
• IRIS (Institut de relations internationales et stratégiques)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench international relations think tank collaborating on Europe-Afrique conference reports and geopolitical analysis.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Institut Montaigne: Leading French independent think tank producing policy research and convening business and policy leaders. Closest French analog to Aspen France in mission (non-partisan policy dialogue), funding model (corporate memberships), and target audience (French economic and political elites).
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based international affairs institute operating under Chatham House Rule with a similar membership-driven, off-the-record convening model for senior decision-makers. Closest non-French analog in terms of program format and target audience.
• The Aspen Institute: The parent organization and original Aspen Institute in Washington D.C., founded in 1950. Operates the same text-based seminar method, leadership programs (including Henry Crown Fellowship), and convening model that Aspen France replicates locally.
• German Marshall Fund (GMF): Transatlantic policy institute that co-hosts events with Aspen France (e.g., Bucharest Forum) and shares the leadership convening and policy dialogue model. Directly comparable in topic coverage (European security, transatlantic relations) and elite audience targeting.
• French Institute of International Relations (IFRI): France's premier international affairs think tank, also based in Paris, convening high-level discussions on geopolitics and economic policy. Comparable in target audience (senior decision-makers), corporate funding base, and topic overlap with Aspen France's geopolitical programming.
• Atlantik-Brücke: German non-partisan association promoting Franco-German and transatlantic dialogue among political, business and cultural leaders. Strongly comparable given Aspen France's France-Allemagne conference series and similar membership model.
• Fondation Jean-Jaurès: Major French political foundation producing policy research and convening leaders, primarily from a center-left perspective. Operates a similar model of policy convening, publications and corporate sponsorship within the French elite policy ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Atlantic Council: Large US-based international affairs think tank with a global network of programs and convening platforms. Comparable to Aspen France in international relations programming and corporate funding base, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• World Economic Forum (WEF): Larger, globally recognized convening platform for political and business leaders. Operates a similar invite-only forum model at greater scale (Davos, regional meetings); broader portfolio but overlapping in the elite convening and policy dialogue category.

Emerging players

• Women's Forum for the Economy & Society: Formal partner of Aspen France focused on women's leadership and gender equality in the economy. Overlaps in mission (elite leadership convening, female leadership development via Femmes d'Aspen) and target corporate sponsors, making it both a partner and adjacent peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aspenfrance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@institutaspenfrance1804
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aspenfrance
• Instagraminstagram.com/aspeninstitutfrance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Institut Aspen France