Germany

Natural Entrepreneurs - Nature-inspired Entrepreneurship in Schools

2023 2023 Winner Project | Engage Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage)

The Natural Entrepreneurs project guides students aged 14-18 to address sustainability challenges by drawing inspiration from nature. Using STEAM-based designs, teams collaborate on SDG-based challenges for viable solutions. An online platform serves as the project core, fostering European teamwork and points-based comparisons. Guided by provided materials, teachers and students navigate challenges to solutions. The aim is to empower young change makers for Europe’s sustainable transition. The prototype engaged 2000 students in the UK, Latvia, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Students begin with an SDG challenge, guided by teachers, organizers, or online content to grasp SDGs’ relevance to daily challenges. Teams form, sharing perspectives and stakeholder research on the platform via Design Thinking. Teams interact across schools, countries, and disciplines, incentivized by collaboration-based points. Literature, field research, and interdisciplinary exploration inform holistic solutions, shared and peer-reviewed. This culminates in real-world solutions and empowered young change makers, promoting collaboration’s impact.

Fabian Feutlinske

Xchange

I am a Biochemist, Neurobiologist, Impact Entrepreneur, biominic, educator, and Chief Technical Officer. My aim is to increase the influence of science in society and support the positive impact we can have on people an planet – if we work together. My first startup supports SMEs and corporates in their sustainability transformation; my second startup Xchange builds platforms for the Collaboration Economy. The project here at Falling Walls is a collaboration project of my companies with a European consortium that combines scientific education of students, collaborative innovation and technology.