Course Overview:
This masterclass will explore how innovation, business acumen, and environmental stewardship can converge to create scalable, impactful enterprises. Participants will examine foundational frameworks such as the triple bottom line and circular economy, analyze real-world case studies of sustainable startups, and engage in a hands-on exercise to begin shaping their own eco-conscious business idea.
Course Objectives:
- To understand the principles of sustainable and eco-conscious entrepreneurship
- To identify real-world challenges and opportunities in green business
- To learn frameworks to design, evaluate, and scale sustainable ventures
- To explore case studies of impactful eco-enterprises
- To begin shaping participants' own sustainable business idea or pivot
Upon the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Understand the core principles of sustainable entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility
- Understand how to integrate sustainability into business models using practical tools
- Examine ways to avoid greenwashing and build genuine, credible impact
- Learn lessons from successful eco-conscious businesses across sectors
- Gain insights into strategies for identifying environmental problems and designing market-driven solutions
Course Outline:
The Why of Eco-Conscious Entrepreneurship
- The triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit
- Global context: climate change, biodiversity loss, consumer shifts
- ESG, SDGs, and the Green Economy
- The role of entrepreneurship in solving systemic environmental challenges
Principles & Frameworks
- Circular economy and regenerative design
- Life Cycle Thinking (LCA basics)
- Sustainable Business Model Canvas
- Green marketing vs. greenwashing
Case Studies & Real-World Examples
- Discussion: What makes these Sustainable ventures work? Challenges they face?
From Idea to Impact
- Identifying eco-pain points: What problem are you solving?
- Value proposition for planet and profit
- Partnering with supply chains, NGOs, and governments (POCD Framework)
- Measuring impact: carbon footprint, B Corp/Fair Trade/Rainforest Alliance/LEED/ISO etc., and beyond
Workshop
- In small groups: sketch out a sustainable business idea using the Sustainable Business Model Canvas
Delivery Method:
In-Person Classes
Target Audience Level:
Graduates, early-stage entrepreneurs, professionals interested in sustainable entrepreneurship.
Trainer's Profile/Brief:
Dr Riz Pirzada has diverse professional experience, working in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East with some of the leading international and multinational organisations. His wide-ranging career spans working with multinational bank-insurance groups; higher education institutions including the Russell Group universities; international development sector organisations; international non-governmental organisations; local authorities; and the food and beverage industry. Dr Riz's professional work as a practitioner, expert, and learner-centered trainer, also include delivering engaging seminars packed with insights, fun, and real-life stories. He has also successfully delivered several nationwide projects and programmes and has successfully implemented capacity-building initiatives for the stakeholders, both internal and external, and the partnering agencies. Dr Riz is working closely with industry, community, and civic organisations on their strategic skills development initiatives, driving sustainable growth.
Dr Riz's PhD (Entrepreneurship) is from Aston Business School (UK), part of an elite group of global business schools that hold the gold standard of 'triple-crown' accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. He is also a 'Chartered Banker' and holds MBA in Banking and Finance. Dr Riz has the SFHEA (Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) membership, which is awarded to professionals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and effective practice experience of leading and influencing the learning and teaching practices of peers, colleagues, mentees, and the wider stakeholders in the higher education community.
