Masterclass: Circular Business Models
This programme equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to develop, evaluate, finance, and implement circular business models. Through a combination of academic insights, practical frameworks, workshops, real-world cases, and study visits, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of how organisations can create economic, environmental, and strategic value through circular business innovation.
The transition to a circular economy is creating new opportunities for organisations to generate value, strengthen resilience, and future-proof their operations. While many companies recognise the strategic importance of circularity, turning circular ambitions into viable business models remains a significant challenge.
Success in the circular economy requires more than designing circular products and services. It demands sound business strategies, innovative revenue models, appropriate financing mechanisms, and a clear understanding of the legal frameworks that govern ownership, liability, contracts, procurement, and risk. These financial and legal dimensions often determine whether a circular initiative can scale and create lasting value.
Goals
By the end of this programme, you will be able to:
- Understand the principles of the circular economy and the spectrum of circular business model strategies.
- Assess the financial viability and value creation potential of circular business models.
- Identify appropriate financing mechanisms for circular initiatives, including product-as-a-service and performance-based business models.
- Understand the legal implications of circular business strategies, including ownership structures, contracts, liability, procurement, and compliance requirements.
- Navigate the evolving European and regional policy landscape that supports and regulates the circular economy.
- Evaluate risks and opportunities associated with circular business models and develop strategies to manage them effectively.
Throughout the programme, the focus is on translating circular economy principles into financially sound and legally robust business practices that can be successfully implemented within organisations.
Target audience
This programme is designed for professionals who want to understand how circular economy principles can be translated into viable, scalable, and profitable business models.
It is particularly relevant for:
- CEOs, business unit managers and strategic decision-makers
- Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs developing new circular ventures or services
- CFOs, finance professionals and investors assessing circular business opportunities
- Business consultants and advisors supporting organisational transition and innovation
- Corporate lawyers and legal professionals dealing with circular contracts, ownership, liability and procurement
- Sustainability, ESG and circular economy professionals seeking a stronger business and financial perspective
- Policy and innovation managers involved in circular transition initiatives
The programme is especially suited for participants who are interested in the business, financial and legal aspects of circularity.
Programme
1. Circular strategies: drivers and opportunities
Thursday 11 March 2027 - Cocon, Sint-Niklaas
- Introduction
- Circular strategies and value creation - Prof. Karel Van Acker, KU Leuven
- Policy and regulation driving circular economy - Noémie Janssens, VBO-FEB
- Study visit: Cocon, Debora Vancayzeele
2. Financing circular business models and alternative corporate models
Thursday 25 March 2027 - KU Leuven, Campus Brussel
- Key considerations for successfully financing circular business plans - Johan Keppens, PMV
- Financing of product-as-a-service models - Veronique Vermoesen, Arteveldehogeschool
- Coöperative entrepreneurship as a lever for circular economy - Johannes Grillet, KU Leuven
3. Value proposition in the circular economy
Thursday 15 April 2027 - KU Leuven, Campus Ghent
- Valuation of circular products - Sofie Rapsaet, SURA
- Circular value in the building industry - Armelle Windels, Wienerberger
- Workshop: From a linear to a circular value chain
- Study visit: Living Lab Circular and Bio-Based Construction Industry - Jesse Honsa, KU Leuven & Wim Pieters, CIRCL
4. Contracts and procurement in circular business models
Thursday 29 April 2027 - KU Leuven, Campus Brussel
- Legal considerations for circular business models - Benjamin Verheye, KU Leuven & Notarissen Hendrickx & Verheye
- Contractual rights and liabilities of as-a-service models - Harry Slachmuylders, Linklaters
- Circular procurement and public procurement legislation - Alexander Lemmens, Agentschap Facilitair Bedrijf, Vlaamse Overheid
5. Risk and 'waste' management in the circular economy
Thursday 13 May 2027 - Deelfabriek, Kortrijk
- Risk management in circular business models - Sara Adam, SD&C Verzekeringen
- Waste legislation - Elias Van Gool, KU Leuven
- Evolution of circular strategies @Barco - Dries Vanneste, Barco
- Study visit: Deelfabriek, Barbara Deman
6. Collaborating in and for a circular economy
Thursday 27 May 2027 - Ziekenhuis ad Stroom, Antwerpen
- Circularity in hospitals: what does this mean? - Annelies Casteleyn, ZAS
- Building partnerships for a circular value chain - Katrijn Goethals, Samsonite
- Home appliances as-a-service: key learning from 10 years social-commercial collaboration - Bruno Vermoesen, BSH Appliances