"The students really appreciate getting a different perspective on entrepreneurship than what we normally offer as a university." - Anki Olsson, University of Borås
Entrepreneurship is not just about creating a business plan – it is a process of testing, evaluating and adapting based on real customer needs. Within the program Textile product development and entrepreneurship at the University of Borås, students have been given the opportunity to develop their own textile concepts and business ideas. The course concludes with an impressive fashion show, and as part of the entrepreneurship element, Drivhuset contributed expertise through workshops based on the proven The Loopa methodology.
Tools for sustainable business models
The goal of the initiative has been to give students practical tools to develop their business ideas and create sustainable business modelsThe focus has been on providing a broader understanding of entrepreneurship as a dynamic process.
Through workshops, the students have received:
- A deeper understanding of business development in a textile context.
- Knowledge of how Business Model Canvas can be applied in the work.
- Insight into how The Loopa methodology can be used to validate ideas through customer insights.
- Understanding the importance of customer relationships and strategic marketing work.
An interactive and realistic approach
The training has been carried out through interactive workshops where theory is interspersed with practical exercises.
Focus areas have included:
- Loopa methodology: Basic business development with a focus on customer understanding and testing business ideas in iterations.
- Business Model Canvas: A tool for building sustainable business models.
- Marketing and customer relations: How to create and communicate value for your customers.
- Group work and case-based learning: The students have been able to work on their own projects and directly apply the tools in practice.
A dynamic environment has been created where students not only listen to lectures but also actively test their ideas and receive concrete feedback from both lecturers and fellow students.
Positive reviews from students and course leaders
The collaboration with the University of Borås has been very positive, and strong reviews have come from both course leaders and students.
Course manager Anki Olsson describes the effort:
"The collaboration with Sebastian and his team has worked fantastically well this year too! The students really appreciate getting a different perspective on entrepreneurship than what we normally offer as a university. The structure with plenty of time for individual work on business ideas pays off in this course where they create their own textile concept." Drivhuset"'s lessons with Loopa 1-3 and marketing provide a piece of the puzzle and a contact surface that is appreciated and that makes an impression throughout the study period."
The students have also been very positive about the approach and highlighted how the practical guidance has helped them develop their ideas:
"It is genuinely nice to be able to fill in the Sustainable Business Model Canvas during class with so much guidance. This way we do not have this as 'homework'. Drivhuset's insights into the business model canvas were incredibly valuable, and I appreciated how they broke down each building block.”
“I found the presentation very interesting as the lecturers have a different type of experience than the other lecturers who may be closer to us in some way. We are young and creative and are currently creating a mock company where we will launch products. It got us started on the work in a good way as we had to think a lot about what we as a company can offer, how we should market ourselves and who our customers are. All the discussions with the group made me realise how important the relationship with the customer actually is.”
A continued commitment to entrepreneurship
Drivhuset is proud of the collaboration with the University of Borås and looks forward to continuing to inspire and educate the entrepreneurs of the future. By encouraging testing, evaluation and adaptation, insights are created that students can take with them into their future careers.