Funded by the Team Finland Knowledge (TFK) programme with ~40k in support, and running from August 2024 – December 2026, the Educational Development on Cultural Entrepreneurship project develops innovative experiential learning approaches for entrepreneurial education, with a focus on cultural entrepreneurship. This field examines how a country’s heritage, resources, and traditional knowledge can be transformed into goods and services that generate economic, social, and cultural value.
Implemented in collaboration between Aalto University’s MSc in Sustainable Entrepreneurship and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, the project explores how revitalising traditional crafts can empower artisanal communities in India to thrive in contemporary markets. It seeks to equip these communities with skills and knowledge to adapt to globalisation, urbanisation, and evolving consumer preferences.
Students participate in real-life cases through study trips, research collaborations, and short-term mobility initiatives. These experiences help them understand how cultural entrepreneurship can contribute to economic growth, address unemployment, and support sustainable development. The project also investigates how emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative business models can be integrated into traditional methods, creating new opportunities while preserving cultural heritage.
MSc students may also pilot thesis collaborations, spending up to one month at IIM Bangalore to conduct field research. In doing so, the project links practice-based entrepreneurship education with cultural heritage, fosters cross-cultural learning, supports community development, and strengthens institutional ties between Finland and India.
The project is led by Apurva Ganoo and Myrto Chliova and involves faculty and researchers from Aalto University, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and associated support from the Entrepreneurship, Management and Organisation department at Hanken School of Economics.
Stay informed about the project’s progress and upcoming events by following ENTU on LinkedIn and checking the latest updates in our News section.
