42 plans 200 locations by 2030

Sophie Viger, CEO of the global 42 network, announces massive expansion during her visit to Heilbronn. In an interview with site manager Thomas Bornheim, she explains the growth strategy and Heilbronn's special role as a technology location.

Sophie, it's great that you're here - for the first time in Heilbronn. How do you like our city?

Heilbronn is such a charming and welcoming city. What surprises me the most is that it's easy to overlook the impressive ecosystem that thrives here, which is also supported by industry. There is incredible potential in this quiet strength - not only for our students, but also for the regional economy.

Heilbronn is indeed rapidly developing into a technology lighthouse. How do you see the role of 42 in this ecosystem?

It plays a central role. Shaping the future requires top talent - and the students at 42 really stand out. They are not only outstanding programming experts, but also creative and adaptable. Thanks to our unique learning model, they are ideally equipped for a constantly changing world. Clearly, they play a key role in driving innovation in this growing global community.

We have a strong industry here with many specialized family businesses that show great interest in 42 Heilbronn. What particular advantages does our 42 learning model offer these medium-sized companies?

The 42 offers these companies a unique advantage: our students not only bring know-how with them - they also think in a refreshingly innovative way. They can hit the ground running, adapt to any tool and system and approach their work with an open mind. This enables companies to choose the best solution for their needs. In addition, 42 students are strong team players and communicate effectively. This makes them valuable contributors to the ecosystem.

You have a lot of experience with this. In Paris, you are networked with the Station F start-up ecosystem. What recommendations can you give us in Heilbronn?

Be careful with trends and don't be dazzled by fashionable buzzwords. The most important thing is: Never give up. Every success story is built on moments of failure. At 42, students learn that failure is just one step on the road to success. Perseverance is the key, and resilience lays the foundation for sustainable growth.

The hype surrounding AI is huge - and so are the changes that come with it. How does the 42 deal with tools like ChatGPT?

AI offers enormous opportunities. It is a powerful tool for increasing productivity and efficiency. However, it does not replace the basic knowledge required to use these tools effectively. To optimize 20 percent of a code with AI, you still need to understand 100 percent of it. The AI industry is developing rapidly, especially in the USA. Developers with superficial knowledge are already being replaced by AI there, which underlines the growing demand for in-depth specialist knowledge. At 42 we focus on building these skills, ensuring that our students can succeed in a competitive job market.

Within eleven years, 42 has grown from a single school to 54 locations in 31 countries. What's next on your agenda?

Our goal is 200 locations by 2030.

That is ambitious! Where is such rapid growth supposed to take place?

Let's not just talk about the big numbers. This goal is driven by a genuine desire to provide scalable, sustainable solutions in regions such as Africa and South and Central America, where the demand for highly skilled talent is growing rapidly. There, it's about meeting real needs. It's about making a difference.

You are growing so quickly, but the high quality standards remain. How do you ensure that every new location operates at this level from the outset?

The biggest challenge is to ensure uniform quality at all locations while allowing for local adaptations. We meet this challenge with four core strategies: Firstly, a standardized curriculum. If all locations follow the same learning plan, this ensures that students everywhere receive the same high-quality education and benefit from our innovative pedagogy. and benefit from our innovative pedagogy. Secondly, we equip each new campus with clear guidelines, strong processes and all the necessary resources to hit the ground running. Thirdly, we conduct regular on site reviews to ensure that everything is going according to plan and can offer support where necessary. Fourthly, sites actively share best practice to encourage collaboration and harmonization while ensuring high standards across the network.

As a woman in your position, you also inspire other women and girls to follow your example. What recommendations do you have for leaders in our ecosystem to drive change?

When it comes to leadership, it doesn't matter whether I'm a woman or a man - the task remains the same. For me, leadership requires a clear vision, strong convictions, courage, empathy and a solid methodology. I believe that meaningful change doesn't happen by magic. It's about coordinating the right actions at the right times to achieve results. In the promotion of women in education, for example, we have managed to increase the proportion of women in the 42 Paris from 12 to 31 percent in just five years. But there is still a long way to go.

Sophie, at a time of increasing global tensions, the 42 is working to bring out the best in young people. What is your experience of this?

Rather than talk about worrying global trends, I'd like to highlight what I'm seeing in the 42 Network - which, by contrast, is incredibly encouraging. We are seeing thousands of learners - not all young, by the way - transforming their lives, gaining new confidence and discovering their potential. Most importantly, they realize that success is not achieved alone, but together with others. The 42 promotes cooperation, self-respect, respect for others and solidarity - values that are always important. Especially in today's world.