BC1 - Business Models for Digital Circular Economy

Designing digital business models that turn circular ambition into scalable, responsible value.

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Start Date

... September 2026

  Credits

6 ECTS

  Semester

1 semester

  Delivery

Distance Learning

  Duration

13 Weeks

  Language

English

About This Course

This is a first-semester course in the MBA in Digital Deep Tech Driven Circular Economy
This course examines how organisations can design and scale business models for the digital circular economy by combining circular economy principles, business model innovation and digital technologies such as AI, IoT and blockchain. It equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to move beyond linear thinking, apply systems perspectives, and develop data-driven, ethically grounded circular strategies. Through real-world cases and a strong international focus, the course prepares postgraduate students to create resilient, future-ready business models in complex and globalised markets.
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What You Will Learn


Circular Business Model Innovation

  • Foundations and types of circular economy business models
  • Value creation through resource efficiency and digital innovation
  • Differences between linear and circular value chains


Digital Platforms & Ecosystem Collaboration

  • How digital platforms enable circular marketplaces and sharing models
  • Strategies for ecosystem collaboration and value co-creation
  • Governance and revenue structures shaping circular platforms


Scaling Circular Strategies

  • Approaches for scaling circular business models in global markets

  • Integrating digital technologies into circular value creation

  • Using circularity metrics and standards to evaluate performance

Skills You Will Gain

Circular Business Model Design

  • Designing digital circular business models and value propositions
  • Identifying opportunities for resource recovery and service-based models
  • Evaluating business model innovation for sustainability impact

Platform & Ecosystem Strategy

  • Analysing digital platform models in circular economies
  • Designing collaborative value networks and marketplaces
  • Aligning governance, revenue models, and ecosystem roles

Strategic & Data-Driven Decision-Making

  • Applying systems thinking to improve circular business performance
  • Using sustainability analytics and digital technologies in strategy
  • Developing future-ready circular business innovations
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Your 13-Week Journey

Here’s how your learning unfolds

Week 1 – Foundations of Circular Business Models

Core circular economy principles and redesigning business models for sustainable value.

Week 2 – Circular Business Model Typologies & Value Logic

Understanding circular archetypes, value creation mechanisms and digital enablement.

Week 3 – Business Model Innovation for Circular Economy

Key frameworks and approaches for innovating towards sustainability and circularity.

Week 4 – Customer and Business Value Through Circular Innovation

How circularity, digitalisation and engagement drive competitiveness and impact.

Week 5 – Systems Thinking for Digital Circular Models

Analysing technological, economic and organisational interdependencies in circular design.

Week 6 – Circular Platforms and Marketplaces

Exploring sharing, access-over-ownership and ecosystem collaboration models.

Week 7 – From Transition to Transformation

Strategies for scaling platform-based circular ecosystems through governance and inclusion.

Week 8 – Scaling Circular Models in Global Markets

Managing complexity, regulation and international value chains for global growth.

Week 9 – International Standards for Circular Transition

Applying ISO 59000 standards to measure, redesign and govern circular value networks.

Week 10 – Digital Technologies for Circular Business Models

Using AI, IoT, blockchain and data architectures to enable closed-loop value creation.

Week 11 – Responsible AI and Sustainability Analytics

Data-driven and ethical decision-making for circular business strategy.

Week 12 – Strategic Foresight and Deep-Tech Innovation

Core principles, archetypes, and value creation logics of circular business models.

Week 13 – Deep-Tech Circular Ecosystems Case Study

Lessons from Finland on converting circular research into scalable business ventures.


Week 1 — Systems in Transition

See the world in systems.
Learn to rethink linear vs circular economies and explore planetary boundaries.

Week 2 — The Digital–Circular Nexus

Discover how tech enables sustainability.
Explore how AI, IoT, and data power circular innovation.

Week 3 — Policy as Infrastructure

Understand Europe’s circular blueprint.
Dive into the EU Green Deal, CEAP, and Digital Europe frameworks.

Week 4 — Designing for Re-entry

Design for durability, reuse, and remanufacturing.
Learn how digital twins and simulation tools extend product lifecycles.

Week 5 — Tracking Resources Through Data

Follow materials in motion.
Understand how IoT and data infrastructures create transparency in supply chains.

Week 6 — Blockchain for Accountability

Trust through transparency.
Explore blockchain’s potential for tracking, verification, and ethical assurance.

Week 7 — Learning Loops with AI

Let data drive regeneration.
See how AI and machine learning enable adaptive circular decision-making.

Week 8 — Cognitive Factories

Meet the new industrial symbiosis.
Examine how robotics and smart manufacturing create circular production systems.

Week 9 — Reverse Intelligence

Close the loop through recovery.
Explore reverse logistics, digital disassembly, and resource recovery networks.

Week 10 — Measuring Circularity

Turn data into progress.
Use metrics, KPIs, and dashboards to track circular performance.

Week 11 — Financing the Regenerative Future

Empower innovation.
Discover how deep-tech, investment, and valuation models support circular ventures.

Week 12 — Ethics and Mindsets

Lead with responsibility.
Reflect on ethics, human–machine collaboration, and the competences for circular leadership.

Week 13 — 2040 and Beyond

Imagine the future you want to build.
Learn to rethink linear vs circular economies and explore planetary boundaries.

Learn With Us

This course is co-created with academic and industry partners supporting circular innovation.
Giorgos Demetriou
Associate Dean of Research and Innovation
Giorgos Demetriou
Associate Dean of Research and Innovation
Giorgos Demetriou
Associate Dean of Research and Innovation
Giorgos Demetriou
Associate Dean of Research and Innovation
Giorgos Demetriou
Associate Dean of Research and Innovation

Co-Created for Change

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