Philippe Aghion, Nobel laureate in Economics, discusses innovation and growth at the ESEG Tech Summit 2026.

On August 19, 2026, ESEG College received..., Philippe Aghion, winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics., for an International Master Class during the programming of ESEG Tech Summit 2026. Held online, the meeting brought together students and professors for a conversation about innovation, economic growth, competition, and the role of so-called creative destruction in the development of nations.

Professor at the Collège de France and INSEAD, as well as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, Aghion is internationally recognized for his research on economic growth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological development. In 2025, he received, along with Joel Mokyr and Peter Howitt, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. Aghion and Howitt were recognized for their theory of sustained growth through creative destruction.

During a lecture lasting over an hour, the economist presented aspects of his work and discussed how innovation can transform economies and contribute to the continued growth of countries. Among the examples discussed were the development trajectories of countries like Japan and Korea, as well as issues related to inequality, poverty, and transformations in the labor market.

Aghion also highlighted the The importance of education in training new innovators and entrepreneurs.. Finland's experience was presented as a benchmark for how a quality education system can contribute to economic development and the creation of new opportunities.

Another point discussed was the need to create an environment conducive to innovation. According to the economist, this requires combining protection, sound financial systems, competition, and intellectual property rights, ensuring conditions that allow new ideas to be developed and generate returns.

Knowledge connected to reality

For Maurício Nakahodo, professor of Economics at ESEG College, The presence of Aghion represents a unique opportunity to bring students closer to an international authority. "It is an honor and a privilege for the professors and, especially, for the students to have access to someone so globally relevant," the professor emphasized. According to him, experiences like this broaden the students' horizons and reinforce the importance of bringing new perspectives into the university.

Maurício also highlighted the expectation that new initiatives could provide students with contact with other prominent figures and experts.

The experience was equally memorable for the students. Felipe Andrade, a second-semester Economics student, highlighted the opportunity to gain a closer understanding of concepts covered throughout his academic training. For the student, hearing Aghion speak about the Creative destruction and its relationship to economic growth. It allowed us to better understand how theory connects to reality.

He also highlighted the importance of ESEG initiatives that bring students closer to practical discussions and topics relevant to the market. "These opportunities that the college provides are very important, mainly because they bring a more practical perspective and demonstrate how this theory applies to the market and how this subject matter is important for the growth and development of our country," Felipe stated.

Education as the foundation for development

Throughout the lecture, Aghion also drew attention to the relationship between education, labor market and social protection. According to the economist, expanding access to education is fundamental to creating opportunities, strengthening society, and preparing people for economic transformations.

The discussion reinforced one of the main messages of the meeting: innovation and economic growth do not happen in isolation. Quality education, economic openness, competition, protection of intellectual property, and policies that favor development are elements that can contribute to countries' progress.

At the end of the inaugural lecture, Aghion opened the floor for questions from the students, promoting direct interaction with the academic community and concluding a meeting that connected academic knowledge, international experiences, and the challenges of the contemporary economy.

Philippe Aghion's participation concluded the program of ESEG Tech Summit 2026, an initiative of ESEG College which brings students closer to experts and leading figures to discuss innovation, technology, economics, and the transformations shaping the professional future.