INN271 Sustainable Entrepreneurship

The course provides the students with basic knowledge about the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in the sustainable development of future societies and business life. The world is now facing huge social and environmental challenges that need to be solved and it seems obvious that business as usual is not an option for a sustainable future.

Business model innovation is currently being discussed as an approach to address sustainability challenges, such as those formulated by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the course, we will focus on how business model innovation can contribute to new and disruptive solutions that will make a difference. We will use design thinking as a mindset and approach to develop new solutions that would change how we think about our business model.

Design thinking is a user centric innovation methodology that contains a tool box of techniques that encourages the creation of deep insights, problem definition, and opens of for alternative solutions around problem solving. Design thinking encourages prototyping and iteration for testing and learning.

This course will facilitate business model innovation for the SDGs through collaborations between academia, industry, entrepreneurs and society. The course will depart from a real problem that involves external actors.

Through the course the students will obtain knowledge and direct hands on experience an on how innovators and entrepreneurs create sustainable value through entrepreneurial and business model activities.

Topics:

• Introduction to business ideas and business models
• Sustainable business models and entrepreneurs
• Design Thinking and user centric learning
• Creative idea generation and concept development
• The sustainable business concept

A student, upon completing the course, will have the following overall learning outcomes defined in knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has good knowledge of entrepreneurship and innovation to promote sustainable development
• is aware of the social and environmental challenges the world faces, and how business model innovation can help address these
• can, through continuous learning and practice, update their knowledge of sustainable business models and design thinking
• has knowledge of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and how these can be integrated into business models

Skills

The student:

• can apply design thinking, among other methods, to develop user-centered and innovative solutions
• can reflect on their findings and modify the business model based on feedback and new insights
• can find, evaluate, and reference relevant literature on sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship
• masters relevant techniques for creative idea generation, concept development, and prototyping

General Competence

The student:

• has insight into how entrepreneurship and innovation can contribute to sustainable development in society and business
• can plan and execute projects that promote sustainable business models in collaboration with various stakeholders
• can communicate knowledge and results about sustainable entrepreneurship both in writing and orally to different target groups