Purpose-Driven Innovation

Description

Student teams from the MSc International Business program at the ZHAW School of Management and Law and from Stanford University’s renowned ME310 course collaborate in a unique format to generate substantial new domain knowledge and create multiple functional and business model prototypes.

Their work integrates stakeholder needs, design requirements, technological development, and the practicalities of commercialization and implementation. Through the immersive nature of the course, students also learn to navigate the inherent challenges of working with a global perspective.

The faculty team, led by Prof. Dr. George Toye and Prof. Mark Cutkosky (Stanford University, Center for Design Research) together with Dr. Albena Björck (ZHAW, DIB), jointly designs immersive learning experiences and contributes insights on purpose-driven design, innovation, and ambidexterity.

The 2025/26 project is sponsored by Be Circular and partnering pharmaceutical companies and aims to support improvements in the circularity of single-use medtech devices.