On June 15, 400 alumni gathered at the Pavillon Vendôme in Paris for the 6th edition of the emlyon alumni awards.
Among the six career journeys celebrated that evening, one moment carried a particular resonance for the Fondation emlyon: the presentation of its very first "Coup de Cœur Award" ("Judges' Favorite"), given to Sidney Rostan (PGE17), founder of Bionnov Group. A look back at an award that embodies, better than any speech could, the Foundation's very purpose.
An Award Worth the Spotlight
You may have already read, on the emlyon alumni website, the full account of that evening: the six 2026 award winners, the panel discussion, the shared convictions of entrepreneurial, leadership, and community-driven journeys that give our community its shine.
Among these distinctions, one was a genuine first: the Fondation emlyon's Coup de Cœur Award, presented for the first time this year.
Unlike the other categories, this award doesn't just reward professional success. It highlights a journey in which the Foundation itself played a direct role — concrete proof that support received at the right moment can change the course of a life.
From Foundation Scholarship Recipient to Biomimicry Pioneer
A 2017 graduate of the Grande École Program, Sidney Rostan was, at one point during his studies at emlyon, a Foundation scholarship recipient. It's a memory he has never set aside: when he returned to campus in September 2024 for the start-of-year opening conference, he was already sharing his journey with incoming students, as a former scholarship recipient turned entrepreneur.
Today, Sidney is founder and CEO of Bionnov Group (formerly Bioxegy), one of Europe's pioneers in biomimicry — the discipline of drawing inspiration from living organisms to develop industrial innovations. He now advises major industrial groups on their bio-inspired R&D projects, and has just launched Bionnov Forge, the first artificial intelligence platform entirely dedicated to this field.
"Supporting the Foundation Means Passing On a Chance"
Patrick Eisenchteter, President of the Fondation emlyon, presented him with the award, with remarks that left a lasting impression on the audience:
"Supporting the Foundation isn't just about making a donation. It's about passing on a chance. It's about opening a door. It's about investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers."
A single sentence that sums up the Foundation's philosophy over more than 30 years: not simply providing financial help to students in difficulty, but believing in them even before they have the full means to reveal their potential.
A Symbol for All of the Foundation's Donors
Sidney's journey is not an isolated case: it is a living illustration of what every donation to the Fondation emlyon makes possible.
Behind every living-expense scholarship, every emergency grant, every health and disability scholarship, or every stage of support through the Tour de France des Oraux, a similar story may be quietly taking shape: that of a young person, facing hardship today, who may become tomorrow's entrepreneur, leader, or changemaker — and who will, in turn, give back to the community what they once received.
Discover the Fondation emlyon's four programs in our previous articles: living-expense scholarships, the emergency fund, health and disability scholarships, and the Tour de France des Oraux.
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