Business Models for a Circular Economy

This course is for you if you wish to understand and solve environmental challenges related to topics such as resource depletion or overconsumption. To address such challenges, this course introduces a prominent solution: the circular economy. No prior knowledge of the circular economy is required, as the course consists of an overview of the circular economy, its challenges and opportunities, and teamwork for a practical hands-on case study with industry experts.

The course begins by breaking down the fundamental principles of the circular economy and introducing how it contrasts with the traditional linear economy and the so-called take-make-dispose model. As a promising pathway to sustainability, the circular economy is a regenerative system that uses as few resources as possible in the most efficient way via e.g., reducing, reusing, recycling of materials and products.

Circular solutions come with novel business opportunities, which we explore together in the course through a real-life hands-on case assignment with industry experts. To bring circular economy principles to life, you are actively engaged to apply your learnings through discussions, problem-solving, and collaborative team work for the practical case assignment.

In practice, you will work with other students to develop and deliver a business idea driven by the circular economy, present this idea in a pitching event, and conclude a reflection report on the course learnings. Accordingly, the course consists of a mix of lectures, team work with other students, and individual work.

After completing this course, you will be able to:  

1. Describe what are the principles and limits in a systemic transition to a circular economy
2. Employ a business lens and tools for designing viable circular economy solutions
3. Solve interdisciplinary problems and professionally present their solutions