ESED - École Supérieure d’Économie Digitale

What ESED - École Supérieure d’Économie Digitale does

ESED - École Supérieure d'Économie Digitale is a French private higher education institution operating as a CFA (Centre de Formation d'Apprentis), founded in 2021 and headquartered in Puteaux with delivery campuses in Paris (13th arrondissement, Olympiades) and Aix-Marseille (8th arrondissement). It delivers RNCP-certified programs — Bachelor Digital Marketing & E-Commerce (RNCP 40377, Level 6), MBA Stratégies Marketing & Communication Digitale, MBA Expert en Transformation Digitale & Technologique No-Code (RNCP N°39762, Level 7), MBA Manager d'Affaires dans la musique (RNCP 40257, Level 7), and Titre Professionnel Négociateur Technico-Commercial (RNCP 34079, Level 5) — to approximately 100 students per year, recruited based on motivation and personality rather than academic dossier.

The business model is anchored on the French alternance framework: ~100% of Bachelor and MBA delivery is structured as apprenticeship contracts funded by OPCO (Opérateur de Compétences), leaving tuition at €0 for participating students. Non-alternance ("initial track") tuition is set at €7,500 (Bachelor year 3), €8,500 (MBA1) and €8,900 (MBA2) for the 2025-2026 academic year. Complementary revenue streams include corporate recruitment services (with API FILIZ integration for OPCO deposits, CERFA contract handling, and ESED Circle partner membership), the 0.09% solde de la taxe d'apprentissage directed via Soltéa/CDC (UAI 0923127Z), and a €6,000 government aid package for companies hiring ESED apprentices. The curriculum is differentiated by the integration of no-code/low-code platforms (Webflow, Bubble, Airtable) and generative AI tools (Lovable, Submagic, Heygen), supported by a Notion-powered student platform offering AI certifications and an apprenticeship jobboard.

Commercially, ESED operates a hybrid B2C/B2B go-to-market: prospective students apply via HubSpot-powered website forms and are routed through a phone orientation, motivation interview, and 24-48 hour admissions turnaround; companies recruit apprentices through ESED's matching service, with ESED Circle providing workshops, conferences, and networking. Distribution combines a direct online admissions channel, an enterprise recruitment channel, and a LiveCampus online partnership extending the No-Code program to remote learners. Strategic emphasis on the music business vertical is anchored by Artistic Director Pierre-Gilles Dorison, with international exposure delivered through HEC Paris (Arts & IA Academy), ICMP, and BIMM University. The school has earned the Best School Experience 2026 label from Speak & Act Institute (4.285/5) and is ranked #1 in Informatique/Numérique/Digital and Marketing & Communication categories.

Name

ESED - École Supérieure d’Économie Digitale

Legal name

École Supérieure d'Économie Digitale

Website

https://esed-ecole.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Puteaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Initial Training Tuition Fees: For students not on an apprenticeship contract, tuition fees are charged directly: Bachelor 3rd year at €7,500, MBA1 at €8,500, and MBA2 at €8,900 per year (2025-2026 academic year). Payment facilities and scholarships are available.
2. Apprenticeship Contract Funding (OPCO): For students in apprenticeship (alternance) contracts, tuition fees are fully covered by OPCO (Opérateur de Compétences), the French professional training funding body. Students receive a salary from their employer company. This is the primary delivery model for all Bachelor and MBA programs (100% alternance).
3. Apprentissage Tax (Company Contribution): Companies contribute 0.09% of their gross payroll (solde de la taxe d'apprentissage) to ESED via the Soltéa/CDC platform. Funds support learning expeditions, ESED Solidarity projects, HubImpact events, and ethical recruitment initiatives.
4. Corporate Recruitment Services: ESED acts as a specialized recruitment cabinet for companies seeking alternance students, handling CERFA contracts, training convention paperwork, OPCO deposit via API FILIZ, and offering the ESED Circle partner membership (workshops, conferences, business networking).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ESED is a French private higher education institution (CFA) that delivers RNCP-certified Bachelor (Level 6) and MBA (Level 7) programs in digital marketing, music business, digital transformation, and communication strategy, delivered 100% in alternance (apprenticeship). All Bachelor and MBA programs place students with partner companies for professional experience while tuition is fully funded by OPCO for apprenticeship-track students, with the school functioning as both an educator and a specialist recruitment cabinet for businesses hiring digital talent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESED Circle: A partner network offering workshops, conferences, business networking, and business development opportunities for company partners of ESED.
• ESED Solidarity
• ESED HubImpact

Products and services

• TP Négociateur Technico-Commercial Titre Professionnel (Professional Title) certified at RNCP Level 5 (Bac+2 equivalent), training students in technical-commercial negotiation skills for business development roles. Targeted at students entering professional sales roles with apprenticeship delivery.
• Bachelor 3 – Digital Marketing & E-Commerce (Chargé de Marketing Digital et E-Commerce) RNCP Level 6 (Bac+3) Bachelor program certified by the French State and delivered 100% in alternance, training students in digital marketing levers, e-commerce, content creation, AI tools, and communication strategy for digital transformation roles. 30 places per promotion.
• MBA Expert en Transformation Digitale & Technologique No-Code RNCP Level 7 (Bac+5) MBA program delivered 100% in alternance, training hybrid digital transformation experts in AI, automation, no-code/low-code development (Webflow, Bubble, Airtable), strategy, and digital marketing. Also offered online via LiveCampus partnership.
• MBA Stratégies Marketing & Communication Digitale RNCP Level 7 (Bac+5) MBA program delivered 100% in alternance, training students in marketing strategy, digital communication, AI-powered content creation, brand strategy, social media, RP and event management. 20 places per promotion.
• MBA Music Business & Industries Créatives (MBIC) MBA program delivered 100% in alternance, directed by Artistic Director Pierre-Gilles Dorison, training managers for the music and creative industries. Covers artists, labels, streaming, live performance, AI in music, and the business of creative industries. Includes London Learning Expedition with ICMP and BIMM University, and AI & Business Hackathon at HEC Paris.
• MBA Manager d'Affaires dans l'industrie de la musique (Music Business) RNCP Level 7 (RNCP40257) MBA program in partnership with Manitude, training managers for the music industry including labels, streaming platforms, live performance, and artist management. Delivered 100% in alternance with a London Learning Expedition and HEC Paris AI & Business Hackathon.
• ESED Company Partner Recruitment Service Specialist B2B recruitment cabinet service through which ESED matches companies with alternance students, handling end-to-end apprenticeship administration including CERFA contracts, training conventions, OPCO deposits via API FILIZ, and tutor training. Companies gain access to €6,000 government aid and the ESED Circle partner membership offering workshops, conferences, and business networking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of students placed in apprenticeship contracts
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• LiveCampuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESED partners with LiveCampus, an online training organization specializing in certifying online pathways, to offer its Mastère Expert en Transformation Digitale et Technologique No-Code as an accessible online alternative to in-person programs. LiveCampus distributes the program to online learners, extending ESED's reach beyond campus-based students.
• CLOÉ (Action Logement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with CLOÉ, an Action Logement initiative, provides ESED students with access to a dedicated housing search platform offering exclusive student housing, a free concierge service, payment in 4 installments without fees, and social student housing options.
• MentorGoalcoreTechnology or IntegrationMentorGoal provides ESED students with an optimized internship and alternance search platform featuring CV and portfolio templates, exclusive job offers, and a powerful search organizer to help students secure their ideal apprenticeship position.
• ANAF (Association Nationale des Apprentis)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerANAF is the first national organization representing apprentices and their interests. ESED is an official ANAF partner, providing students access to 100% free services for all (future) apprentices in France and their guardians.
• ICMP (The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESED partnered with ICMP for its London immersion trip, where students received professional interventions and specialized teaching from ICMP faculty. ICMP is a leading UK institution for contemporary music education, reinforcing the international dimension of the MBA Music Business program.
• BIMM UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIMM University collaborated with ESED during the London immersion trip for Music Business students, providing professional interventions and specialized instruction. BIMM is a leading European music and creative arts university, strengthening the program's international credentials.
• EYCA (European Youth Card / Carte Jeune Européenne)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerESED provides the European Youth Card to its students, offering access to over 60,000 benefits in 38 European countries. The card supports student travel and lifestyle discounts, enhancing the overall student experience.
• TAVAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTAVA enables ESED to provide students on apprenticeship contracts with free Macbook or Macbook Pro loans, giving students access to high-quality hardware for their studies and professional work.
• NotionsupportingTechnology or IntegrationESED provides exclusive access to a Notion-powered AI platform where students can earn certifications, access exclusive courses, browse an apprenticeship jobboard with hundreds of offers, and find career optimization tips.
• HEC Paris — Académie Arts & IAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESED's MBA Music Business students participated in a one-month immersive program at HEC Paris's Arts & IA Academy, exploring AI applications in music, live performance, communication, and design. The program, led by Stéphane Madoeuf and Philippe Danjean, provides a high-prestige academic experience and HEC credentials.
• Soltéa / Caisse des Dépôts (CDC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoltéa is the mandatory centralized platform operated by the Caisse des Dépôts through which companies direct their apprenticeship tax (solde de 0.09%). Companies use ESED's UAI code (0923127Z) to allocate funds supporting learning expeditions, solidarity projects, HubImpact events, and ethical recruitment.
• Les Entreprises s'EngagentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative supported by the French government to encourage corporate engagement in social responsibility. ESED participates, aligning with its mission of positive social impact, diversity, and inclusion in education.
• Mouvement Impact FrancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMouvement Impact France is a national movement for companies committed to positive social and environmental impact. ESED's alignment with the movement reinforces its school-with-mission identity and its commitment to RSE in education.
• Pierre-Gilles Dorison (Artistic Director, MBIC Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPierre-Gilles Dorison, major artistic director of the French music scene (BigFlo & Oli, Dadju, Lynda, Deluxe), serves as Artistic Director of the MBA Music Business & Industries Créatives (MBIC). He contributes his expertise, network, and credibility to the program, providing students with industry immersion and placement opportunities.
• BoxtoBoxsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoxtoBox partners with ESED's MBA Music Business M2 program for music production projects, providing students with hands-on production experience under professional guidance.
• API FILIZsupportingTechnology or IntegrationESED uses the API FILIZ platform to handle OPCO deposit submissions on behalf of partner companies, streamlining the administrative process of apprenticeship contract management.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ISCOD: French school specializing in 100% online alternance programs in digital marketing, business, and tech. Closely comparable to ESED on apprenticeship funding model and digital marketing curriculum, with a different delivery modality (online vs campus).
• Ynov Campus: French private higher education network specializing in digital, creative, and tech disciplines with campuses across France. Comparable to ESED on digital-first curriculum, target student demographic, and multi-campus French footprint.
• Sup de V (Vinci Group): French private school specializing in marketing, communication, and digital programs with alternance delivery. Comparable to ESED on program focus, apprenticeship model, and target student profile for marketing and communication MBAs.
• MBway: Network of French business schools operating exclusively in alternance across multiple campuses, with specializations in marketing, digital, and business development. Closest direct comparable to ESED on apprenticeship model and multi-city French footprint.
• ESG (Pôle ESG, Galileo Global Education): One of France's largest private business school networks with strong digital marketing, communication, and management programs including alternance tracks. Directly comparable to ESED in program portfolio, apprenticeship delivery, and target student segments.

Emerging players

• Le Wagon: International coding and data bootcamp with strong French presence and growing apprenticeship partnerships. Overlaps with ESED on digital transformation curriculum and target learner profile, but more focused on technical skill acquisition than management MBAs.
• Cours Florent: French performing arts and creative industries school with established programs in music, cinema, and acting. Comparable to ESED on the music business specialization and creative industries positioning, with substantially deeper heritage in the sector.
• Wild Code School: European digital education provider focused on web development, data, and AI training with campuses across France. Comparable to ESED on digital transformation curriculum and target learners, though more focused on technical coding than business/marketing.

Broad incumbents

• INSEEC Group (OMNES Education): Major French private higher education group offering Bachelor through MBA programs in marketing, digital, communication, and music business (with INSEEC MSc). Much larger scale than ESED, with overlapping program themes and an established apprenticeship track.
• Collège de Paris: Federation of French private schools offering programs in business, digital, fashion, and creative industries. Comparable to ESED on private French education positioning, multiple school brands, and apprenticeship models across diverse verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/esed-ecole
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecole_esed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 ESED - École Supérieure d’Économie Digitale