For Amani Samba, entrepreneurship was never just an idea. It was something he was already living. With a background in IT and years of experience working on technology solutions such as access control systems and CCTV, he built a strong technical foundation early in his career. Alongside his professional work, he spent six to seven years developing entrepreneurial projects with his wife. Over time, those side ventures led him to a clear realization. He wanted to take what they had built and scale it properly.
“I wanted to equip myself with academic knowledge to enhance the business,” Amani explains. While he had hands-on experience, he knew that formal training would help him think more strategically. “Entrepreneurship was clearly my thing, so having a Master’s degree in that field felt essential.”
Finding a program that fit real life
In 2021, Amani began researching graduate programs that could help him turn hands-on experience into structured expertise. He wanted a program that would allow him to continue working while gaining deeper academic grounding.
When he came across the Executive MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at HEC Paris, it immediately felt like a strong fit. The fully online format meant he could study without stepping away from his career, and the flexibility of recorded live sessions made it realistic alongside professional and personal commitments.
Just as important was the reputation behind the degree. “The HEC brand is powerful,” Amani says. “And being part of the alumni network, that’s something that stays with you.”
Projects designed for real entrepreneurs
Completed over 18 months, the program was demanding in ways that felt purposeful. Managing coursework, projects, and professional responsibilities closely mirrored the realities of running a business.
“The project work and coursework were challenging,” Amani says,“but that was also the most beneficial. It gives you insight into what it really means to manage every side of a business.”
Rather than being overwhelming, the structure reinforced discipline and focus. “If you really know how to manage your time, you’ll know how to deal with it,” he adds.
A global network that extends beyond the classroom
Despite being delivered online, the program fostered meaningful collaboration. Working closely on projects led to strong connections with peers from around the world.
“You create this family,” Amani says, noting that his project group still stays in touch today.
That sense of community came full circle at graduation, when he traveled to France with his wife to attend the ceremony in person. “It was a grand ceremony,” he recalls. “Meeting my entire project team in person really felt like a reward.”
Results that speak for themselves
Today, he works in a consultancy role, applying the strategic and entrepreneurial mindset he developed throughout the program. Looking back, the value extends far beyond the credential itself. He describes the degree as “one of the best investments I’ve made in the last ten years.”
“Being part of HEC Paris opens doors,” Amani says. “And when you connect with people on campus and become part of this huge community, you really understand the power of it.”