CASE STUDY | ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Blending Theory and Practice: How ESCP Berlin Drives Innovation in Sustainability Entrepreneurship

About ESCP Business School Berlin

Founded in 1819, ESCP Business School is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious business schools. It is known for its commitment to excellence in business education and internationalism, with campuses across major European cities.

The Berlin campus, launched in 1973, has emerged as a leader in sustainability-focused education, driving innovation in clean technology and entrepreneurship.

The Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation (SEI), led by Professor Florian Lüdeke-Freund, is a flagship program at the Berlin campus, designed to equip the next generation of business leaders with the skills to create innovative and sustainable business solutions.

The Challenge

In the face of growing environmental concerns and the urgent need for sustainable business practices, ESCP Berlin faced the challenge of ensuring its curriculum remains at the cutting edge of sustainability education. The goal was to develop a program that not only imparts theoretical knowledge but also equips students with the practical tools and hands-on experience needed to drive real-world innovation in the fields of clean technology and the circular economy.

To address this, ESCP Berlin sought to design courses that blend academic rigor with experiential learning, giving students the opportunity to develop and scale sustainable ventures while mastering the complex dynamics of entrepreneurship in a sustainability context.

The Solution

To meet this challenge, ESCP Berlin has collaborated with Enrico Maset, an experienced professional in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and business strategy. Over the years, Enrico’s role has evolved to significantly contribute to the MSc SEI program.

Co-Teaching Circularity & Strategy

For two years, Enrico co-taught the Circularity & Strategy course alongside Professor Florian Andrews. His expertise in experiential learning and strategic simulations added practical depth, helping students understand how to integrate circular economy principles into viable business strategies.

    Idea to Exit: A Clean Tech Entrepreneurship Journey

    In the most recent academic year, Enrico expanded his role by designing and leading a new course, Idea to Exit: A Clean Tech Entrepreneurship Journey. This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive view of the entrepreneurial lifecycle in the clean tech space, guiding them from ideation to potential exit strategies.

    To achieve the objectives of these courses, Enrico leveraged two powerful tools:

    • Scale Up! from StrategyTools.io: This business simulation allows students to experience the challenges of scaling a business, offering practical insights into decision-making in high-growth, sustainability-focused enterprises.
    • Disciplined Entrepreneurship Framework by Bill Aulet: A structured methodology for building innovative, scalable ventures, this framework helps students apply a systematic approach to entrepreneurship.

    These tools enable students to develop practical skills in sustainability entrepreneurship, including:

    1. Hands-on Venture Development: Students create, develop, and scale their own clean tech ventures.
    2. Circular Economy Application: Deep understanding of circular economy principles and their integration into business models.
    3. Strategic Business Insights: Real-world strategy formulation for sustainability-focused ventures.

    Course Highlights

    Enrico’s Idea to Exit course has been designed to immerse students in the entrepreneurial process with a focus on clean technology. Key highlights include:

    1. Team-Based Venture Development: Students work in teams to create and refine clean tech business ideas.
    2. Application of Real-World Case Studies: The course integrates industry case studies and examples from the clean tech sector.
    3. Use of Structured Frameworks: The Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework helps guide student ventures with a structured approach to innovation and scalability.
    4. Experiential Learning via Scale Up! Simulation: The simulation provides students with a risk-free environment to navigate the complexities of growing a clean tech venture.

    Impact

    While specific course outcomes are still being evaluated, preliminary feedback indicates that the Idea to Exit course is empowering students with:

    • Enhanced Practical Skills: Students gain experience in navigating the clean tech entrepreneurial journey, from ideation to scaling.
    • Industry-Relevant Insights: The integration of real-world scenarios allows students to grapple with the actual challenges facing the clean tech industry.
    • Innovative Problem-Solving: Students are challenged to think creatively and critically about addressing sustainability issues through entrepreneurship.

    Looking Forward

    ESCP Berlin’s MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation continues to evolve, seeking to build on the success of initiatives like Enrico’s courses. The school remains committed to delivering cutting-edge, hands-on education in sustainability and entrepreneurship.

     

    Partner Spotlight: Enrico Maset

    Enrico Maset is an experienced educator specializing in experiential learning for business education. He is passionate about using innovative teaching methodologies to enhance students’ and professionals’ strategic thinking and decision-making skills. Enrico frequently employs advanced simulations, such as Transform! and Scale Up! from Strategy Tools, providing immersive, risk-free environments for deep learning.

    Over the years, Enrico has contributed to institutions like Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Università di Pisa, and ESCP Business School (Berlin), where he has introduced simulation-based learning in areas such as strategy, corporate transformation, and clean tech entrepreneurship. His approach fosters engagement, reflection, and personal insight, making him a leader in hands-on business education.

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    Talk to Us

    For business schools and organizations looking to innovate in sustainability education, Strategy Tools offers a unique set of tools and expertise to facilitate cutting-edge experiential learning. Enrico Maset, one of Strategy Tools’ most active and experienced partners, has been delivering impactful programs and projects with clients and business schools for years. His work in the field of sustainability and entrepreneurship is a testament to the value of our approach.

    We are delighted to have Enrico as part of our team, helping institutions like ESCP Berlin drive innovation in clean tech and sustainability entrepreneurship. For more information on how Strategy Tools can help you integrate similar teaching methods and tools into your programs, reach out to us or Enrico directly to explore how we can support your educational and business innovation goals.