Hugo Grandmontagne

Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I love languages and accents. I speak French, English, Portuguese and Spanish, and I often find myself imitating people’s accents without even noticing. According to my Canadian friend Stéphanie, my worst attempt is definitely French Canadian.

Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today.

I am French and grew up around food. Whenever I could, I went to La Grande Cascade, a 55-year-old Michelin-starred institution in Paris, where my father managed operations. I remember watching Frédéric Robert, the chef de cuisine, select a lobster from the tank, present it to diners, and then sauté it with butter and herbs. That moment gave me a lasting appreciation for food’s power to connect people.

After my studies, I spent six years in fintech, both in sales and as a Chief of Staff, where I learned how to grow accounts, build strategy, and lead teams. But I felt the need to create something of my own. Inspired by my early experiences, I left fintech to launch Fenouil, a healthy restaurant in Paris. After visiting more than 100 locations and conducting extensive research, I found the right spot. Over 18 months, we expanded to two locations, built a loyal customer base, and developed a strong 15-person team. I later sold my shares to my cofounder to move on to my next chapter.

I also worked on food access, for example, in a Rio favela where I helped street vendors improve their offerings and operations, while seeing firsthand the challenges of food insecurity.

At INSEAD, I want to broaden my skills and perspective. In the short term, I am open to consulting or returning to fintech, and in the long term, I aim to combine my fintech and entrepreneurial background to drive impact on a larger scale.

What motivated you to choose the INSEAD MBA, and how do you envision it aligning with your future goals?

INSEAD is highly valued worldwide and is less than 75 km from where I was born and raised. At 30, I felt it was the right moment to pivot in my career.

  With its 10-month format, I saw it as the most efficient way to reorient myself without stepping away from the market for two years.  

I also enjoy fast-paced environments, so the condensed programme felt like the best fit both financially and logically. Since I plan to switch regions between Europe and Brazil, INSEAD’s global reach makes perfect sense for my future.

What are your impressions of campus life so far, and how did you navigate accommodation and sorting out all the admin? Any tips for incoming students?

Being French was a huge plus for me. I simply moved all my belongings from my Paris apartment to Fontainebleau with a truck, which took me half a day. Finding an apartment was easy. My advice would be to plan early and, if possible, use personal connections to make the move smoother.

Could you share a little about your application process?

The hardest part for me was the GMAT, especially while managing a busy work schedule. Writing the essays felt more natural. Since I have a non-traditional profile, I knew the essays would be a make-or-break step in my application, and I used them to share my story.

How did receiving a scholarship influence your decision to join INSEAD, and what does this recognition mean to you beyond the financial aspect?

INSEAD was my top choice, but I absolutely needed a scholarship to attend, which is why I applied in Round 1. The French Alumni Endowed Scholarship helped me bridge the gap between my savings and the cost of the programme.

Beyond the financial aspect, this recognition also rewards my entrepreneurial journey and the risks I took in building Fenouil. I see it as an acknowledgement of my work promoting French cuisine in Paris and contributing to the diversity of the INSEAD community.

You are starting your INSEAD MBA in Fontainebleau. Are you planning any campus exchanges?

INSEAD offers a wide variety of exchanges, and I am still deciding between Singapore for P3 and Wharton. There is also the option of staying in Fontainebleau to maximise my electives. So yes, I plan to go on an exchange, but I have not made my final choice yet.

In your first few weeks, what aspects of the INSEAD MBA have stood out to you as unique or particularly appealing?

I am struck by how brilliant my cohort is. Everyone has such unique backgrounds and experiences. For example, in my class, we have a doctor and a lawyer, and their insights bring real depth to the classroom discussions.

In my study group, I work with Fergus from the UK, Sunghyun from South Korea, Aaditya from India and Thaís from Brazil. Thanks to the Personal Leadership Programme (PLDP) in the first days, I already feel I know them very well. Working closely with such diverse profiles has been one of the most enriching parts of the programme.

Aside from your academic pursuits, what extracurricular interests or activities are you exploring at INSEAD, and how do you see them enhancing your overall MBA experience?

I have taken a trip every weekend since I arrived, which has been a great way to bond with classmates. I am also active in the Consulting Club, and next week I will be interviewed by the Food & Agribusiness Club. The fact that clubs are student-driven makes it easy for everyone to get involved and create value for the community.

Any parting words of wisdom, and are you willing to be contacted for more information by prospective students?

At INSEAD, you will learn how to make trade-offs. There are at least one or two social events every evening, and you will have to choose. My advice is to be clear about your priorities but also to enjoy the ride. I would be happy to talk with anyone interested in food, tech, enterprise sales or negotiation. My door (LinkedIn) is always open.😊