International: Sustainable Startup Ideas in Focus

At the end of March 2026, Prof. (FH) Dr. Bernd Wollmann spent one week teaching in Paris and Bordeaux during the International Week at INSEEC Grande École. The motto Reinventing Business Models for the Future inspired participants to work on sustainable business models. The focus was on the Business Model Canvas and the development of feasible prototypes.

For Bernd Wollmann, it was above all the intensive exchange with students from the International Business Studies degree program (now: International Business Management) that ultimately motivated him to participate. Many of them had already spent time at INSEEC in France themselves and spoke very positively about their experiences there.

High-Energy Pitches in a Shark Tank Format

In the Marketing Lab of the Future workshop, Prof. (FH) Dr. Bernd Wollmann, lecturer in Marketing and Customer Experience, encouraged international students to look ahead and guided them in interactive group work to develop practical ideas with a view toward operational implementation.

With the help of the Business Model Canvas - a structured template for visualizing and developing business models that maps key building blocks such as customer segments, value propositions, channels, revenue streams, and key resources - initial ideas were transformed into concrete, feasible models. The teaching approach deliberately emphasized hands-on methods: problem definition, value proposition, business model logic, and iterative development were at the center of the work.

Each teaching and workshop session concluded with a Shark Tank-style pitch. The teams impressed their virtual clients with concise storytelling, tangible prototypes, and a clear focus on sustainability and impact.

Internationalization and Collaboration

The International Week format promoted cross-border collaboration among higher education institutions and gave students practical experience in developing sustainable business models and engaging in international exchange. The combination of academic guidance and realistic assignments enabled participants to develop their ideas professionally and present them in a practice-oriented way.

The thematic focus demonstrated how innovation and sustainability can work together as drivers of new business models.