Choiseul Sud 2026: Two SKEMA Alumni Among the Young Leaders Shaping the Region

Pierre Ippolito (SKEMA 2011) takes second place

At 37, Pierre Ippolito, President of Groupe Ippolito, ranks 2nd in the 2026 edition. This marks another recognition for the SKEMA 2011 graduate, who completed the MSc Corporate Finance and now heads the family-owned group, which operates in sectors including commercial vehicles, industry, tourism, and real estate. Pierre Ippolito was already featured in the 2024 edition of Choiseul Région Sud, where Pierre Ippolito ranked 6th.

At 25, Mathieu Merian enters the ranking

Alongside Pierre Ippolito, Mathieu Merian (SKEMA 2025) makes his debut in the ranking at No. 70, at just 25 years old. Founder of Somanity, a startup based in Sophia Antipolis, Mathieu Merian develops low-cost exoskeletons designed, among other applications, to help people with motor disabilities regain mobility and independence.

Supported in the early stages of his entrepreneurial journey by SKEMA Entrepreneurs, Mathieu Merian also stood out in 2026 by winning the i-Lab competition, run by Bpifrance as part of the France 2030 initiative. The award came with approximately €300,000 in funding to accelerate Somanity’s development.

Two generations of alumni and two entrepreneurial journeys that reflect SKEMA’s strong presence in the economic and innovation ecosystem of France’s Région Sud.

A ranking supported by SKEMA

As a partner of Choiseul Sud, SKEMA is associated with a ranking that recognizes young leaders each year who are expected to play a major role in the region’s economic development.