Entrepreneurial

How can you be entrepreneurial and at the same time contribute to tackling urgent social issues, such as global warming, loss of biodiversity and exhaustion of natural resources and people? At CoE BWNO, we work with entrepreneurial people in seeking an answer to that question. Whether you have your own business, are an employee, work as a volunteer or do something else: we regard everyone who takes action as an entrepreneurial person. Entrepreneurial people can bring about change. The key is to tap into the collective imagination: by doing that, we can cut through existing patterns and reset our economic compass. For example, by partnering with us to investigate how we can make cotton fibres last longer so they can go through a product life cycle multiple times. Or how innovative street lighting can contribute to increased public safety and reduce CO2 emissions. Together we acquire knowledge and apply it directly in real-life situations. In doing so, we make a difference right away on the road to a wellbeing economy.

Currently, we still measure prosperity mainly in terms of economic growth and financial progress. The use of natural resources and people is regarded as inevitable, and we prefer not to dwell on their exhaustion and exploitation. But the earth and society are approaching their limits. For this reason, a transition to a wellbeing economy is essential.

A wellbeing economy means prosperity that is more than just financial. A wellbeing economy also incorporates aspects like education, health and a pleasant living environment. And it means that everyone, now and in the future, has the opportunity to enjoy that kind of prosperity themselves. This calls for a new kind of entrepreneurship: entrepreneurship that contributes to human and natural values and strives to repair the damage done – or better yet, prevent it. The transition to a wellbeing economy calls for a different way of looking at things, for new knowledge and insights. For entrepreneurs, too.

We want work with entrepreneurial people to make a difference to society. How do we do that? By conducting practice-based research. In concrete terms, we cooperate by:

• Concluding partnerships in which we share knowledge and practical experience;
• Jointly exploring where changes for businesses can contribute to multiple value creation and have the greatest impact in terms of achieving a wellbeing economy;
• Jointly exploring what the best plan of action is and which partners are needed;
• Conducting joint research into specific subjects on a project basis;
• Supporting companies by offering the knowledge and expertise of the lecturers and students on affiliated study programmes at Avans University of Applied Sciences.

Everything we do, we do in co-creation. We talk to each other, explore how we can help each other and, if there is a ‘match’, we start working together.

Do you want to get started on new ways of doing business and making a sustainable impact in society? Do you have any questions or would you like more information? If so, complete the contact form by clicking on the button below.

I want to get started!

Has your business already taken the first steps towards sustainable entrepreneurship and would you like to know more about a partnership with CoE BWNO? Go to our information for companies and institutions.