OverviewInnovation is needed to create business value in line with a positive direction for society and the environment, and this This self-paced online course has been developed with the team behind the CANOPY, CISL’s international community of sustainability innovators and entrepreneurs. This collaboration means we have created a unique course which draws on our The course shares these insights, along with frameworks to LanguageEnglish FormatOnline, asynchronous Learning timeSelf-paced, typically 6-8 hours Cost£139 + VAT*, discount available for bulk purchase *Education exceptions apply Materials & equipment
Assessments & retakesThe course is assessed through in-learning quizzes and an end-of-course survey. Learners can retake all assessments as required throughout the 12-month licence period. Course accessLearners have access to the course for 12 months from the date of purchase. |

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Who is this course for?
The knowledge and skills this course develops will benefit a wide range of entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers and businesses across industries, geographic regions and roles. It is ideal for:
- Intrapreneurs or entrepreneurs who may come from small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, scaleups, large corporations, the public sector, non-governmental organisations or investors.
- Individuals working in a variety of roles including chief innovation officer, chief sustainability officer, learning and development, research and development, supply chain, procurement and strategy.
- Individuals with up to 10 years of work experience with an interest in gaining a broad understanding of sustainability innovation strategy.
What will I learn from the course?
Your learning begins with building your understanding of the imperative for sustainability-led innovation, applying systems thinking tools to map complex problems and generate innovative solutions. Case studies and reflective questions bring concepts to life, advancing your understanding. By the end of the course, you will have gained the mindset and tools to help you through the process, challenges and opportunities of building sustainability-focused ventures – from influencing decision makers and investors, to taking a systematic approach to design and implementation. You leave with a personal action plan to drive sustainability innovation within your organisation.
Progressing through 5 modules, delivered by sustainability innovation experts, this course enables you to:
- Understand the key concepts and principles of sustainability innovation and its role in addressing global challenges and rewiring the economy.
- Analyse these challenges through a systems thinking lens, identifying leverage points for intervention and creation of innovative solutions.
- Identify opportunities for innovation that address sustainability challenges and create positive impact, analysing market trends, consumer needs, the role of stakeholders and the emerging technologies shaping the future of sustainability.
- Apply a systematic approach to designing and implementing sustainability solutions.
- Discover the value of measuring sustainability performance and the role of communication and gain tools for impact assessment and reporting.
Key modulesThis course supports professional and personal development, equipping you with a critical skillset to become an effective
Learning ExperienceYou can complete the 6-8 hours of learning that make up the course in your own time, progressing through modules which contain videos, case studies, notes, exercises, quizzes and self-assessments. Benefits of the self-paced online course include:
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Meet your course creators
The experience of the CANOPY team who created Sustainability Innovation Strategy for Businesses and Entrepreneurs has been acquired from a range of industries, harnessing CISL’s cross-sector expertise.
James Cole, Chief Innovation Officer, CISL
James has spent over 15 years working at the intersection of business, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of CISL’s senior leadership team he works across business policy and finance initiatives building the capacity of leaders, and leading institutions, to drive systemic change for global sustainability. In 2022 he launched The Canopy - CISL’s incubator, accelerator and workspace in central Cambridge, to activate an international community of impact-led startups, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators.
Sam Laakkonen, Senior Director Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship, CISL
Sam has been actively involved in the technology innovation ecosystem for over 20 years. He has been an early employee in unicorns like Spotify, privately invested in 25+ impact startups, had 3 exits from his own ventures, helped 250+ startups accelerate growth, and worked as a jury member for the European Commission to distribute EUR100M+ in EIC equity and grant funding. He has participated in building and running 30+ incubators and accelerators around the world, including 10+ Techstars programmes.
Jie Zhou, Head of International Engagement, CANOPY, CISL
A circular economy expert with a systems-thinking mindset, Jie Zhou brings 15+ years of experience driving sustainability across industries. Her interdisciplinary and international background, including three master's degrees, allows her to connect the dots between global challenges and empower organisations & startups to create a sustainable future.
Viola Jardon, Director of Innovation Programmes, CISL
Viola Jardon is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in tech and supporting sustainability-driven startups and innovators. She works closely with early-stage ventures, investors, and corporates to accelerate sustainability innovation and create impactful partnerships. Her extensive experience in fostering partnerships and scaling initiatives has made her a key figure in driving sustainability innovation forward.
Håkan Nordkvist, CEO Net Zero Company and Advisory Board Member, CANOPY, CISL
Håkan is a recognised expert in corporate innovation with a focus on sustainability, spending 11 years as head of sustainability innovation at IKEA. He has innovated new businesses for IKEA, founded innovation platforms and led startups in the sustainability space to create a more sustainable future.
CPD certified
This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 8 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon you. CISL and University of Cambridge Online accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
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