Circular Business Models in the WEconomy Seminar
Dive into circular entrepreneurship with this full-day seminar from Vlerick and The Circular Kickstart. You’ll discover the foundational principles of circular business models, explore practical cases and come away with tools that empower you thrive in the WEconomy. There’s an optional bonus session from the Vlerick Alumni Impact Club – and an opportunity to network over lunch. And if you’re a Kickstart participant or mentor, you’ll be invited to our exclusive Mentor Night.
Speaker
Jan Jonker
Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Nijmegen School of Management
Jan’s research focuses on corporate responsibility – specifically in terms of new business concepts and business strategy.
Programme
- 9.30-10am: Welcome and registration
- 10am-12pm: Session 1: Getting started with circular business models
In our first session, Jan Jonker introduces the core principles of circular business models.
How does a circular business model differ from a classic linear model? And what roles are played by multiple value creation, supply chain collaboration – and systems thinking? Get the answers to these questions – and more.
This session is open to students, faculty and entrepreneurs who are interested in circular entrepreneurship. It’s part of the StartersClass of The Circular Kickstart, an accelerator programme for circular entrepreneurs.
- 12-2pm: Networking lunch
This is an opportunity to connect with circular start-ups, faculty, students and entrepreneurs over an informal lunch. It’s a great way to expand your network and engage with the entrepreneurs and architects of tomorrow's economy.
- 1.30-2pm: Optional session: Zer0 Waste
Join the Vlerick Alumni Impact Club as they share insights from a previous event where Thomas Rau, Architect and CEO at RAU Architects, spoke on eliminating waste from your processes.
- 2-4pm: Session 2: Ready for the new economy? WEconomy and the transition to circular entrepreneurship
The afternoon focuses on the "WEconomy" – an economy geared towards collaboration, co-creation and generating shared value. Jan Jonker discusses how organisations can prepare to transition to this new model – and what it means for entrepreneurship in a circular context.
This session is packed with concepts, tools, inspiring cases and reflections on the role of entrepreneurs and companies. You’ll discover practical examples from The Circular Value Institute (Chris Van de Voorde, JUUNOO) and Cisuflo – Circular Sustainable Floor Coverings (Guy Verrue, EUFCA).
- 4-5pm: Closing drink
- 5.30-9pm: Start-up mentor night (Invitation only)
For The Circular Kickstart participants and invited mentors
This private networking event is for start-ups and mentors. Together, we’ll explore how mentorship can be a lever for circular innovation and sustainable growth.
This is an exclusive event for participants of The Circular Kickstart programme and mentors connected to the Vlerick sustainability and entrepreneurship network. It takes place in an inspiring setting – and new mentors are welcome by invitation.
Practical information
Members Vlerick Sustainability Centre
- As a member of the Vlerick Sustainability Centre, you can access this event for free. Use the promo code VSCMember when registering to get free access.
Young Alumnus or Alumnus in Waiting
- As an Alumnus in Waiting, or a Young Alumnus (graduated after April 2020), you can access this event for free. Use the promo code YoungAlumnus when registering to get free access.
Vlerick Alumnus
- As an Alumnus graduated before April 2020, you can access this event at a discount rate of €45. Use the promo code VlerickAlumnus when registering for access to your pricing.
Third party: €95
Join us to accelerate your sustainability transformation
The Vlerick Sustainability Centre is a community of companies embracing sustainability, with the ambition to be part of the leading coalition in realising positive change. These companies will drive our sustainability research agenda, and we’ll bring them together regularly to provide them with inspiration, moments of connection, impactful insights, and new tools and concepts.
