Workshops held by Sophie Rippinger for students in the i-Lab community (March 10th and 13th, 2025)

Between March 10th and 13th, 2025, UBB students had the opportunity to attend a series of interactive workshops led by Sophie Rippinger, an expert in Circular Economy and involved in the Edinburgh Innovations Project, the commercialization structure of the University of Edinburgh. There, she contributed to the delivery of the Venture Builder Incubator program and created the EARTH Centred Business Design (ECBD) framework. These sessions aimed to guide participants in developing sustainable and innovative start-ups based on circular economy principles.

During the first days, participants explored the process of developing a circular business idea by applying the design thinking concept, addressing aspects such as identifying problems, creating a responsible business vision, and refining the value proposition. The sessions included group exercises, providing students with tools to expand their network and develop strategies for stakeholder engagement.

On the final day, participants had the opportunity to present their business ideas during a pitching session, where they received constructive feedback from peers and facilitators. The selected teams were included in the incubation program, gaining access to resources and development opportunities for their businesses.