1987: Creation of the École Polytechnique Foundation

The École Polytechnique Foundation was founded in 1987 by twenty major French companies, following the initiative of Bernard Esambert (Year of Entry: 1954), the then President of the institution's Board of Directors, and with the support of the Alumni Association. The Foundation finances École Polytechnique’s development, with its core missions being to bring the institution, its student body and its faculty closer to the business world; promote innovation, entrepreneurship and research; support the institution’s educational approach; contribute to equal opportunities; and maintain École Polytechnique’s standing in France and abroad.