What do you think? Do circularity and business go together? Our answer is that somehow they will have to, as climate change, primary raw materials shortages, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution compel us to make the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. Companies and other organizations need people like you, who are passionate about circularity, to create circular business models for them. Our Circular Business and Sustainable Entrepreneurship minor will teach you how to bring circularity and business together.

What do business circularity and sustainable entrepreneurship involve?
In a circular economy, production and consumption are based on reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible, in order to create sustainability and to impact the environment and our natural resources as little as possible. For many businesses and entrepreneurs, this means they will have to alter their business models and production processes. This can be achieved by turning waste into new raw materials and through alternative, more sustainable production.

This minor starts with some models for a circular economy which indicate how to make better use of residual flows. In the case of synthetic products, these applications are referred to by a series of ‘re-words’, such as reuse, remanufacture, recycle. The applications in the case of biodegradable products are referred to with words with an ‘f’, such as food, feed, fibre, fuel, flagrance. Each application requires collaboration within a value chain and a business model.

In this minor, you will learn how to create circular business models that are based on the Butterfly Model. It consists of an internship, a group assignment and theory with assignments. During the internship you will spend 2 days a week at a company or an organization, providing a practical application of circularity. The group assignment involves creating a useful application of a residual flow and formulating a business model to market this residual flow. The theory is taught in two courses: Life Cycle Assessment and Value Chain, and Circular Economy, with subjects like transition, change and innovation management; new business models; and multiple value creation.

This minor gives you insights in the possibilities of sustainable and circular business models. Also you develop knowledge about the impact of more sustainable strategic decisions.

During the minor you will develop the following competences:

• Developing a vision and strategy for an (international) agri-food business
• Entrepreneurship and innovation in the international agri-food business
• Designing and implementing a result oriented practical research in the agri-food business
• Effective cooperation and communication in a multidisciplinary and intercultural environment
• Advising on financial aspects of business management of an agri-food company
• Strategic marketing of products and services in the global agri-food market

Before getting accepted into this minor, you have to write a motivation letter, with your CV. Please send this letter to Kitty van Zijtveld, k.van.zijtveld@aeres.nl.
Basic knowledge of circular economy and/or entrepreneurship is an advantage, but not a pre-requisite.

The necessary literature and articles will be provided by the teachers.

Schedule
Tuesday and Thursday, every week.
2 d/week internship & 1 d/week project group.

Code: ACSE01
Naam: Internship
Studiepunten: 10
Type examen: Research report
Periode: September 1st until 31st January

Code: ACSE02
Naam: Group project
Studiepunten: 5
Type examen: Report on business model and multiple value creation
Periode: September 1st until 31st January

Code: ACSE03
Naam: LCA and Value Chain
Studiepunten: 5
Type examen: Assignment
Periode:  September 1st until 31st January

Code: ACSE04
Naam: Circular Economy
Studiepunten: 10
Type examen: Article
Periode: September 1st until 31st January

Apply now!
So, what do you think? Can you see yourself playing your part in making better use of residual flows? Apply now or click the link on top of this page for more information on the Circular Business and Sustainable Entrepreneurship minor.