Entrepreneurship in innovation and sustainability.

Welcome to the dedicated student hub for my guest lecture at University of Birmingham – MSc Business: Innovation & Sustainability.

This page gives you exclusive access to my papers, books, frameworks, and curated tools to support your career in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and regenerative business.

Use discount code: BIRM2025 → for Free books, papers, and digital assets. (All in the Publications/Store in the menu)

You are entering a world where entrepreneurship is no longer about disruption for its own sake — it is about designing enterprises that repair, elevate, and regenerate systems.

You are not building for survival.
You are building for legacy.

This hub allows you access to:
A curated guide to the tools, pathways, and ideas I wish I had when I began.

Use it boldly.
Return to it often.
Build something the world will thank you for.

These resources help you move from idea → pilot → business → investment-ready.

Entrepreneurship Guides

• Lean Startup Methodology (Eric Ries)
https://leanstartup.co/
• Zero to One (Peter Thiel)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18050143-zero-to-one
• Y Combinator Startup Library
https://www.ycombinator.com/library
• IDEO Human-Centered Design Toolkit
https://www.designkit.org/

Tools & Templates

• Business Model Canvas
https://www.strategyzer.com/canvas/business-model-canvas
• Value Proposition Canvas
https://www.strategyzer.com/canvas/value-proposition-canvas
• Notion Startup Templates
https://www.notion.so/templates/startup

People to Follow (Entrepreneurship)

• Reid Hoffman
• Andrew Chen
• Whitney Wolfe Herd
• Sarah Blakely
• Naval Ravikant
• Anne Wojcicki

SUSTAINABILITY & IMPACT CAREERS

Build a career that shapes industries, not just fits into them.

Career Pathways in Sustainability

• CSR Roles (Corporate Social Responsibility)
• ESG Analyst / ESG Strategy Consultant
• Corporate Sustainability Teams
• Public Sector & Policy Roles
• Sustainability Entrepreneurship (startups, venture studios, innovation labs)
• Environmental & Social Impact Consulting
• Climate Tech Startups (carbon, energy, AI)

Certifications & Training

• IRDO International Certification in CSR & Sustainable Development
https://www.irdo.si/
• GRI Sustainability Standards
https://www.globalreporting.org/
• CFA ESG Certification
https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/esg-investing

People to Follow (Sustainability)

• Christiana Figueres
• Kate Raworth (Doughnut Economics)
• Bill McKibben
• Mariana Mazzucato
• Paul Polman
• Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

INVESTMENT: SUSTAINABILITY FUNDS & IMPACT CAPITAL

Where to look when you’re building a startup or research project with purpose.

Impact & Sustainability Funds

• Closed Loop Partners
https://www.closedlooppartners.com/
• Generation Investment Management
https://www.generationim.com/
• Blue Orchard
https://www.blueorchard.com/
• Arabesque
https://www.arabesque.com/
• Acumen Fund
https://acumen.org/
• Masdar / Mubadala Investment (UAE)
https://www.masdar.ae/
• FII Institute (Saudi Arabia)
https://fii-institute.org/

Grant Funding & Student Innovation Competitions

• UNDP Youth Co:Lab
https://www.youthcolab.org/
• MIT Solve
https://solve.mit.edu/
• Echoing Green Fellowship
https://echoinggreen.org/
• Google for Startups Social Impact
https://startup.google.com/

AI & FUTURE-PROOF SKILLS FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS

Must-learn AI tools for entrepreneurship:

• ChatGPT (OpenAI)
https://chat.openai.com
• Notion AI
https://www.notion.so
• Midjourney AI
https://midjourney.com/
• Higgsfield (video AI)
https://www.higgsfield.ai/
• Descript (audio/video editing)
https://www.descript.com/

Learn AI for FREE

• Google AI Courses
https://ai.google/education/
• DeepLearning.AI
https://www.deeplearning.ai/
• OpenAI Learning
https://platform.openai.com/docs/overview

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Entrepreneurship

• Zero to One – Peter Thiel
• The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
• Founders at Work – Jessica Livingston
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things – Ben Horowitz

Sustainability

• Doughnut Economics – Kate Raworth
• Net Positive – Paul Polman
• Cradle to Cradle – McDonough & Braungart
• Let My People Go Surfing – Yvon Chouinard

Leadership & Influence

• The Art of Possibility – Zanders
• Start With Why – Simon Sinek
• The Practice – Seth Godin

AI & The Future

• Life 3.0 – Max Tegmark
• Prediction Machines – Agrawal, Gans & Goldfarb
• The Coming Wave – Mustafa Suleyman

🇦🇪 UAE Resources for Starting & Scaling a Sustainable Business

Entrepreneurship • Sustainability • Funding • Support Ecosystems

UAE Startup Support Platforms (General + Sustainability-Focused)

Hub71 (Abu Dhabi)

Premier tech ecosystem with strong support for climate, AI, and impact innovation.
• Up to AED 250K–AED 500K incentives for selected startups.
• Access to corporates, investors, mentorship.
https://hub71.com/

ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) – RegLab & Sustainable Finance Hub

Excellent for climate tech, green finance, and sustainability-driven startups.
• Regulatory sandbox
• ESG frameworks
• Sustainable finance programs
https://www.adgm.com/

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) & Area 2071

Supports innovation in sustainability, AI, space, and future energy.
• Startup programs
• Government innovation partnerships
• Research opportunities
https://www.dubaifuture.ae/

Dubai SME (Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment)

Government support for startups including funding, incubators, and business setup support.
https://sme.ae/

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development

Provides financing, mentorship & training for Emirati entrepreneurs, especially in sustainable industries.
https://www.khalifafund.ae/

Climate & Sustainability Accelerator Programs

Catalyst (Masdar City)

The region’s first fully dedicated clean-tech accelerator.
Focus: climate tech, renewable energy, waste, water solutions.
https://catalyst.mubadala.com/

Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) – Innovation Accelerator

Strong track record supporting sustainability and innovation startups.
• UAE-backed
• Equity-free accelerator
• Debt financing program
https://mbrif.ae/

Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center)

Supports impactful and social-entrepreneurship-led startups.
• Grants
• Mentorship
• Market access
https://sheraa.ae/

Ma’an (Abu Dhabi Authority of Social Contribution)

Supports social impact startups with funding and incubation.
https://maan.gov.ae/

in5 Innovation Centers (Dubai)

Incubation for sustainability, tech, and creative startups.
https://infive.ae/

UAE Government Initiatives Supporting Sustainability + ESG

UAE Net Zero by 2050 Initiative

Opportunities for startups in energy, climate, waste, mobility, and food systems.
https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/environment-and-energy/net-zero

Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050

Opportunities with DEWA, Dubai Future Foundation, and private sector projects.
https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/strategic-initiatives/clean-energy-strategy

Abu Dhabi Environment Vision 2030

Supports companies innovating in environmental management and green technologies.

Ministry of Climate Change & Environment

Grants, reports, regulations, and project opportunities.
https://www.moccae.gov.ae/

UAE Funding Sources (Sustainability, Impact, Climate, Innovation)

Mubadala Investment Company

Invests globally in renewable energy, climate tech, sustainable industries.
https://www.mubadala.com/

Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company)

Focus: renewable energy, climate innovations, sustainable cities.
https://masdar.ae/

ADQ

Invests in sustainability-aligned sectors (transport, food, utilities).
https://www.adq.ae/

Emirates Development Bank (EDB)

Specifically supports SMEs & tech startups — financing, loans, and credit guarantees.
https://www.edb.gov.ae/

Wamda Capital

Invests in high-growth companies; increasing interest in ESG and sustainable tech.
https://www.wamda.com/capital

Global Ventures

Invests in health, climate, and sustainable innovation companies.
https://www.global.vc/

MEVP (Middle East Venture Partners)

Invests in tech startups with sustainable business models.
https://www.mevp.com/

FII Institute (Saudi Arabia – accessible to UAE founders)

Funding for climate tech, regenerative systems, AI, education, and sustainability.
https://fii-institute.org/

UAE Co-Working Spaces + Innovation Hubs

(ideal for early-stage founders & students)

• Hub71 (Abu Dhabi)

• The Co-Dubai (licensed coworking for startups)

https://theco-dubai.com/

• AstroLabs (Dubai)

https://astrolabs.com/

• WeWork Dubai

• Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SRTIP)

https://srtip.ae/

Where Students Can Start Practically (Quick Steps)

Step 1 — Validate Your Idea

Use Strategyzer tools or Lean Canvas.

Step 2 — Use a UAE Freezone for Setup

Economical options for early founders:
• SHAMS
• RAKEZ
• IFZA
• Meydan Freezone
(All offer student-friendly business packages)

Step 3 — Apply to an Accelerator

Sheraa or in5 for students.
MBRIF or Catalyst for climate tech.

Step 4 — Seek Non-Dilutive Funding

EDB loans
Ma’an grants
Competition prizes

Step 5 — Build Network via Events

• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
• Dubai Future Forum
• COP28 Legacy Events
• STEP Conference
• Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF)

Step 6 — Approach UAE Investors with Preparation

Focus on:
• clear impact
• strong business model
• evidence of validation
• sustainable unit economics

FULL STEP BY STEP GUIDE CLICK HERE

UAE Sustainability Networks for Students

• MEBAS – Middle East Business Alliance for Sustainability

(Your host)
https://www.mebas.ae/

• Emirates Nature – WWF

Volunteering, impact projects, youth programs
https://www.emiratesnaturewwf.ae/

• Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network

Corporate engagement, volunteer work
https://www.dubaichamber.com/en/sustainability/

• Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) – Masdar

Incredible for young leaders in climate & sustainability.
https://y4s.masdar.ae/

• SDG Youth Hub (UAE)

https://uaeyouthhub.ae/

NEXT STEPS FOR STUDENTS

Want to go deeper?

Join my newsletter for frameworks, opportunities, and curated insights for young leaders in regenerative enterprise. link on the bottom of the page.

Have an idea you want feedback on?

Share your early-stage concept and I’ll send you tailored advice.

FINAL WORD

Leadership today is no longer defined by scale — it is defined by integrity, creativity, and your capacity to regenerate the systems you touch.

Your path won’t be linear.
That’s a gift — not a flaw.

Build something that outlives you.
And remember:
You don’t need visibility. You need signal.

— Eve