Situated in the heart of the French Alps, Grenoble offers more than breathtaking scenery—it’s a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, making it a strong choice for aspiring business leaders.
Here are four reasons why Grenoble stands out as a top location for your business school journey:
1. Live in an innovative tech hub
Dubbed the Silicon Valley of France, Grenoble has positioned itself as a leader in technology and innovation, and for good reason.
Outpacing many larger cities across France, Grenoble’s prominence in tech has placed it fourth in Europe for deep tech venture capital investment, behind only London, Paris, and Stockholm.
At Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM), students benefit from the city’s strong industry connections.
For Fahd Chaoui (pictured), electrical engineer and Part-Time GEM MBA graduate, this was a key factor in choosing Grenoble for his business school studies.
“Grenoble is one of the most industrial areas in France,” he explains. “The technical ecosystem here is something I wanted to stay connected to.”
GEM’s campuses—with two located in Grenoble and one in Paris—are designed with this spirit of innovation in mind. At the GEM Labs campus, experiential learning spaces provide students with the chance to simulate real-world business scenarios and work on collaborative projects.
This emphasis on hands-on learning was a strong draw for Malhar Mohite, a Full-Time GEM MBA graduate from Mumbai.
“Coming from an engineering background, innovation is highly important. I was looking into GEM Labs, and I wanted to get involved,” says Malhar.
2. Study in a top MBA in France
With a strong emphasis on applied learning in the GEM curriculum, studying in Grenoble offers students the opportunity to make the most of the city’s tech connections.
Through practical experiences such as live business cases, students are exposed to real-world business challenges from the very start of the program.
Fahd, who specialized in entrepreneurship, recalls campus visits from entrepreneurs who shared their experiences and challenges, sought input from MBA students on how best to approach them.
“I gained a lot of insight into the day-to-day challenges of small and medium enterprises, which helped me develop the skills I needed to solve problems,” he says.
Through his MBA, Fahd had the opportunity to engage with organizations such as the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), and attend seminars hosted by key players in the tech scene.
Malhar’s practical experiences during his MBA were instrumental in shaping his career path. He had the opportunity to visit companies such as Pomagalski and Schneider Electric, where he was selected to present solutions to live business cases.
These hands-on experiences were complemented by support from the GEM careers unit, which played a crucial role in his professional development.
“The careers unit pushed my profile based on all the presentations I gave and recommended me for interviews,” says Malhar (pictured).
This support ultimately led to an internship that transitioned into a full-time role as an international business developer.
“I joined just after my internship, and they hired me right away,” he says.
3. Build a diverse and international network
Part of Grenoble’s allure is its international community, giving students access to a diverse network of professionals from various backgrounds and industries.
In Fahd’s experience, the diversity of his MBA cohort deepened his understanding of global business challenges, while group projects helped sharpen his collaborative skills.
“We had people from technical and non-technical backgrounds coming from all over—the US, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and more,” says Fahd. “The support of my MBA network has helped me connect with industries I wanted to explore.”
For Malhar, the GEM community also helped him integrate into Grenoble life while enhancing his skills, joining language meetups with fellow international students to improve his French.
“I never struggled to meet new people. Grenoble has activities and events all year round,” says Malhar. “Most of the time, people who come to Grenoble, stay in Grenoble.”
4. High MBA ROI and quality of life
Grenoble consistently ranks as one of the top cities for well-being, recognized as the Green Capital of Europe in 2022 and the number one city for quality of life by Oxford Economics.
Nestled at the intersection of three glacial valleys, Grenoble offers an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts such as Malhar.
"I was blown away by the skiing, the paragliding, and the city’s innovation," says Malhar. "I had acceptances from other top schools but turned them all down to come to Grenoble."
The GEM MBA is one of the more affordable programs on the market, with tuition fees of €36,000, offering a high return on investment (MBA ROI) alongside an idyllic natural environment.
Whether you’re keen to build a thriving career in tech and grow your international network, or dive into adventure sports in the capital of the French Alps, Grenoble may have something for you.
