Center For Sustainable Entrepreneurship - CenSE
In the Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (CenSE), we conduct applied scientific research on sustainable entrepreneurship in family businesses and SMEs, detecting trends and challenges in the economy or society.
Twin Transition
At CenSE, we recognize the transformative potential of the European Union's Twin Transitions —digitalization and sustainability— and their pivotal role in shaping a green, inclusive, and innovative future. As a center dedicated to applied scientific research in sustainable entrepreneurship, particularly within family businesses and SMEs, we are committed to empowering the local private sector to lead this transformation.
Social Circular Economy
CenSE contributes to the transition to a sustainable and inclusive society through research on the social circular economy, social impact and sustainability. This research cluster analyses organisations that create both economic and social value, with a particular focus on the collaboration and growth mechanisms of social and circular enterprises.
Competencies For The Future
In an increasingly fast-evolving society, future-oriented competences are essential, both on an organisational and personal level. We therefore actively pursue research projects on competences of the future (sustainability competences, digital and entrepreneurial competences) and on innovation in the learning process.
Projects in the spotlight
News
Free online training in Sustainable DevOps under development
The DevOps Academy, an Erasmus+ collaboration on Sustainable DevOps, is currently developing a free online training programme for beginners and career‑switchers. The partners are building an accessible learning platform that combines practical DevOps skills with a strong focus on inclusion. The first training modules are now in testing and will be released to the public later this year.
CenSE Research Week 2026 - TEACH4SD EU SUMMIT
Monday 9th March - Wednesday 11th March, 2026
The Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (CenSE) organized the 2026 edition of the CenSE Research Week, combined with the TEACH4SD EU Summit. Over three days, researchers, educators, and practitioners from across Europe came together to explore a shared question: Which competencies do learners and professionals need to shape a sustainable future?
Explore. Innovate. Collaborate.
A gift on your birthday? Nice, but...
A gift on your birthday? Nice, but... Companies do not give you that for no reason. Behind that free coffee or discount lies a clever strategy: your data.
Our researcher Saskia Vanden Eede, an expert in digital marketing, explains in WinWin (Radio2) why brands are so keen to spoil you on your birthday: they use your data to personalise their offers and advertising, and a gift immediately makes us feel more positively towards a brand.
20th EIASM Workshop on Family Firm Management Research
"Will the new nextgen take over the family business?"
This paper, written by Prof. Bart Henssen (Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship), Dr. Kajsa Haag (Jönköping International Business School), and Dr. Julia Süss-Reyes (WU Vienna University of Economics and Business), looks at how the next generation in family firms thinks about succession.
It was presented at the 20th EIASM Workshop on Family Firm Management Research in Jönköping and was nominated for the Best Conference Paper Award. A great recognition for a topic that matters to many family businesses today.
GrowthFundMe helps SMEs grow through crowdfunding
How can startups and SMEs secure funding to set up and scale their businesses? The GrowthFundMe platform, named after the project of the same name, helps SMEs grow through crowdfunding.
The article below, written by our researchers Tineke Jacobs and Philippe Eiselein, delves into how crowdfunding can help SMEs that are looking to expand, innovate, and thrive in a competitive market.
Read the article and discover how crowdfunding can help you reach your personal and professional goals.
CenSE Research Week 2025
The Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (CenSE) brought together researchers, experts, and innovators to explore the future of social and circular innovation. With a strong focus on SDG 9 & SDG 17, the event centered on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and creating impact.
Explore. Innovate. Collaborate.
Micro-credential Sustainable solutions to complex problems
In the video to the left, the head of our research group, Bart Henssen, explains why it is necessary to seek sustainable solutions to complex problems. Would you like to learn more about this systemic way of thinking and are you looking for a short, practice-oriented and scientifically based training to achieve sustainable change? Then this training is for you.