Business Cases Developed Using Sustainability
2026-05-27 How can companies make sustainability the starting point for new business models? Twenty-two representatives from 12 companies explored this question during the three-part workshop series “Business Cases Through Sustainability,” organized by the Leuphana Innovation Community for Sustainable Production and the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM) on the Leuphana campus.
The workshop series did not focus on optimizing existing business models, but rather on the question of what concrete contribution companies can make toward sustainable development. Building on this foundation, participants developed new value propositions, discussed necessary processes and partnerships, and devised appropriate financial, cost, and revenue models.
The workshop series brought together companies from various industries and of different sizes—from startups to large corporations. It was precisely this diverse exchange that proved to be the format’s key added value. Crossing company boundaries, participants jointly discussed transformation challenges, questioned existing assumptions, and developed new perspectives for sustainable business models and entrepreneurial development opportunities.
“Truly future-proof business cases rarely emerge solely through the optimization of existing structures,” explains Prof. Dr. Stefan Schaltegger, Professor of Sustainability Management and Director of the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM). “They require a willingness to view sustainability as the starting point for entrepreneurial value creation.”
Nachhaltigkeit als Ausgangspunkt neuer Geschäftsmodelle
The workshop series deliberately followed a different approach than traditional strategy and innovation processes. Instead of focusing on existing markets and competitive positions, the companies started with global sustainability goals and used them as a basis for developing new solutions for customers and society.
The deliberate move to the Leuphana Campus was also particularly important. Away from day-to-day business, space was created for open discussions, creative approaches, and new forms of collaboration. Participants motivated and inspired one another and developed concrete ideas for transforming their business models.
The workshop series was jointly organized by the Leuphana Innovation Community for Sustainable Production, the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM), and the Leuphana University alumni network. Plans are currently being considered to offer the format again next year.
The Leuphana Innovation Community Sustainable Production is committed to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and economically viable transformation of manufacturing companies and brings together stakeholders from science, industry and society. Shape the future with us and become part of the community!