Stéphane Mercier

About Stéphane Mercier

Stéphane MERCIER was born on October 31, 1968, in Saint Etienne (Loire). He studied at ENSAM, the National School of Arts and Crafts. He became an Engineer in 1991. Eager to broaden his perspective and expertise, he continued his studies with a DEA in New Product Design, graduating in 1992. He began his career in a small company where he worked as an R&D Engineer. He became the Innovation Director three years later. In parallel to his early professional years, he conducted research on innovation management methodologies. This research was part of the LCPI-Paris under Professor Robert DUCHAMP. Stéphane MERCIER thus met more than 150 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and collaborated on the innovation activities of some of them. The originality of his approach lies in a field-based methodology, centered on his experience in SMEs, and a micro vision within an SME, as well as a macro vision (150 SMEs). He defended his doctoral thesis in 1995, received the jury’s congratulations, and thus became a Doctor. He has led numerous innovative projects that have resulted in international patents. He is currently the General Director of a group of SMEs, certified OSEO Excellence, operating internationally, with innovation being one of its main drivers. With 20 years of experience, he has formalized his innovation practice into a comprehensive, practical method aimed at breakthrough innovation through a process similar to incremental innovation. For the past five years, alongside his professional activities, he has been teaching Innovation at engineering schools, universities, and business schools. He also directs a Specialized Master’s program in Innovation Management at ENSAM Paris Tech. He is responsible for the educational aspect, leads the team of professional speakers, constructs the content, engages with partner companies, and oversees recruitment. A member of innovative business clubs, he is an expert on projects. Passionate about Innovation and creativity, he is focused on creating structural value within companies. Drawing from his experiences, in a bottom-up approach, he studies and models innovation management as a process within an efficiency logic.