Master Thesis (PDM) in Startup Project

We recommend starting your application process at least six months before the beginning of your Master Project in your Startup (PDM).

Important deadlines:

• Autumn semester: Apply between April and June of the same year.
• Spring semester: Apply between October and November of the previous year.

Candidate selection closes two months before the start of the PDM (at the beginning of each semester).

Applications submitted after the deadlines will not be accepted.

Applications are submitted by dossier, as the program can only accommodate a limited number of participants.*

This program is open to students from all EPFL academic sections, except Architecture. Final approval is subject to validation by the section heads.

Eligibility criteria:

• Student must be enrolled at EPFL;

• He/she must have successfully completed all compulsory courses and internships (these conditions apply to all sections, without exception);

• An agreement of an EPFL professor (accredited to supervise PDMs by their section) must be secured, willing to oversee your work in a research field related to the start-up project.

If you wish to complete your PDM in another EPFL section, this may be possible if it aligns with your academic objectives and is approved by your home section (co-supervision may be required).

* Please ensure you have an alternative plan, such as a traditional PDM within a laboratory or in industry, in case your application is not selected.

The application process takes place in four distinct stages:

Stage 1: Contact and Information

Students contact the Vice Presidency for Innovation and Impact (VPI) as early as possible to ask any questions and gather information to help you prepare your application.

Email us at pdm-startup@epfl.ch to express your interest or ask preliminary questions. We will also give you an initial indication of whether your project fits the program.

Stage 2: Pre-Selection (Dossier Part 1)

After the contact phase, you will be invited to complete a pre-selection form. This detailed form will be reviewed by the admissions committee (including at least one representative from the Vice Presidency for Academic Affairs – VPA and the VPI) to assess:

• Suitability of the project for the program;
• Motivation to participate;
• Relevance of the laboratory to the project;
• Feasibility of academic objectives;
• Market knowledge and experience;
• Credibility and commercial viability of the project.

Only candidates selected at this stage will move forward.

Stage 3: Full Application (Dossier Part 2)

If you are pre-selected, you will be asked to submit a complete application file, including:

1. Academic Objectives:
   A two-page document (template provided by VPI) that must be signed by your supervising professor. It must describe precisely : the academic objectives and research areas of your thesis; the methodology to be applied ; the milestones and timeline (including an intermediate objective after 3 months). When defining your objectives with your professor, don’t forget that this is a 25-week project!
2. Business Objectives:
   A one-page document (free format) containing a list of business development objectives to be achieved over the six-month period, together with the associated timetable. The aim is on one hand to highlight the ambition of the project and the maturity of your thinking, and on the other hand to facilitate the future allocation of a coach.
3. Cover Letter :
   A one-page document (free format) summarizing your Master’s project in a few lines, its context and objectives, both academic and commercial, and how these complement each other. Also summarize why you want to participate in this program, why you’re an ideal candidate, key milestones, and present a detailed six-month plan for the program.

Stage 4 : Oral Presentation to the Admissions Committee

Once the documents are submitted, you will be invited to an oral presentation session.

• Duration: 30 minutes (15 minutes presentation + 15 minutes Q&A)
• Support: Pitch deck (maximum 15 slides), to be sent 5 days prior to the session.

Your pitch deck should include:

• Summary of previously sent documents;
• Description of the problem addressed;
• Project overview (technical, academic, and commercial aspects of the solution);
• Research areas and methodologies planned for product development;
• In-depth explanation of the product functionality and potential in terms of intellectual property;
• Market analysis conducted and business model planned;
• Six-month roadmap.

The admissions committee will evaluate the following success criteria:

• Quality and clarity of presentation; ability to explain, answer questions, and demonstrate the relevance of the project;
• Technical skills,academic background, definition of key milestones, and feasibility over a six-month period;
• Alignment with the supervising professor and their involvement in the project’s development;
• Project’s market potential and long-term viability;
• In-depth market knowledge and any relevant industrial experience, or initial contacts within the sector;  
• Number of available spots for the upcoming semester and comparison with the quality of presentations from other candidates.

Important:
The presence of your supervising professor is mandatory. If no suitable date is found, the committee may contact your professor separately.

Candidates will be informed of the final decision within a few days.

If selected, you will be guided through the registration process according to the “PDM Process” instructions.

Registration

Once you have received confirmation of your selection, please follow these steps:

• Inform your academic section of the committee’s decision, including the name(s) of the professor(s) supervising your project. Final approval rests with the head of your academic section.
• Register the project in ISA-Academia as follows:
  • Indicate: “PDM at EPFL”, the name of your supervising professor, and the first day of the semester as the start date. Specify whether the project content is confidential.
  • Note: Since the system does not offer a 25-week option, the program coordinator will inform the EPFL Registrar’s Office, who will adjust the duration accordingly.
• Notify the VPI program coordinator, who will inform the EPFL Registrar’s Office. You will then be registered in the “Startup Launchpad Coaching / Coaching dans le lancement de start-ups” branch. This is a non-credited module, marked as pass/fail, designed to recognize the work carried out with your coach on the commercial development of your project and identify participants in the program.

Key Stages of the Program

The PDM includes three main stages, designed to support both academic progress and entrepreneurial development:

1. Kick-off Session

This meeting brings together all stakeholders involved in the Master’s project: Supervising professor, business coach, VPI coordinator, and the student. The goal is to set expectations and clarify roles and responsibilities, define key development milestones and timelines, schedule regular follow-ups throughout the program.

2. Mid-term Evaluation

This brings together all the parties involved in the PDM (i.e. the PDM supervising professor, the business coach, the VPI coordinator and the student) and aims to assess the project’s progress after three months, anticipate risks and refocus the project if necessary.

The supervising professor will judge whether overall progress from an academic point of view is sufficient or insufficient. In particular: whether the project is in line with the defined roadmap and objectives, the quality of the initial results and the work carried out, and more generally, whether the student is at risk of failure in the final defense.

The coach in charge of supporting the business development of the project will give his opinion on the evolution of the project from a business point of view. In particular: whether the project is in line with the defined roadmap and objectives, whether the project is being managed professionally, the quality of the initial results and the work carried out by the student, and more generally, whether the project seems to demonstrate start-up potential. This information will be used by the PDM’s supervising professor to assess whether or not the “Coaching for start-ups” branch has been a success.

Impact of mid-term assessment:

• If both are positive (sufficient): mid-term success.
  The “Coaching for start-ups” branch is marked as successful in IS-Academia. The PDM continues in a hybrid format in the laboratory with business coaching support.
• If one or both are negative (insufficient): mid-term failure.
  The coaching branch is evaluated (pass or fail) in IS-Academia, but in all cases, the business coaching ends and the PDM continues exclusively in the laboratory.

3. Defending the PDM

The student and the supervising professor will agree on a date for submission of the PDM report in conjunction with the defense. Its content is at the discretion of the professor, within the limits of the school’s guidelines on the subject. However, it is recommended that two pages be devoted to the commercial development of the project.

The defense must be agreed with the supervising professor and must comply with the Ordinance on the Supervision of Studies (Chapter 4) – in French only and the internal directive concerning examination at EPFL (art. 16ss). The parties involved in the PDM (i.e. the PDM supervising professor, the business coach, the VPI coordinator and the student) are invited to the defense, but only the professor and their expert are authorized to evaluate the student.

The frequency of meetings with the PDM supervising professor and the coach responsible for supporting the project’s business development is to be agreed with them. However, it is recommended that you meet with your professor at least once or twice a month.

It should be noted that students are required to document all meetings with their teacher and coach succinctly, and make them available on the VPI portal dedicated to this purpose.

In parallel with these meetings, regular sessions are organized with other program participants to attend themed workshops and share experiences.

Exchanges with the VPI coordinator are frequent. He offers advice, facilitates networking and shares with participants conferences, competitions and activities relevant to startups.