Towards X Futures

Sustainability and Innovation in Digital Ecosystems

As part of the Rhine-Ruhr Institute of Information Systems, our Chair is dedicated to exploring the potential for sustainable futures through digital innovation (x futures).

Digital technology plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and resilient societies. We still have much to learn about the interplay between digital technology and transformation for a better future.

With a focus on the socio-economic aspects of digital ecosystems, we gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between digital innovators and entrepreneurs, data, and knowledge as drivers of change. 

Digital Ecosystems encompass all relevant stakeholders in innovation platforms (e.g., iOS, Play Store, ChatGPT), transaction platforms (e.g., Otto, Zalando, Amazon). 

We guide individuals and organizations within such ecosystems to positioning themselves for  "x futures".

Join us on our journey Towards X Futures.

Teaching

Our teaching program includes courses for Bachelor, Master, and PhD students on sustainability with and through digital innovation & entrepreneurship. You will also find core IS courses, for instance on Machine Learning in our portfolio.

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Start-up

The Co-Creation Lab: Place Beyond Bytes offers all members of UDE a 24/7 working environment and the digital infrastructure to build data-based products and services with impact.

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Research

We engage in research on the intersection between digital innovation and entrepreneurship, digital ecosystems, and organizing data and knowledge. Throughout our work, the team employs quantitative, qualitative, and design-oriented methods, oftentimes taking a longitudinal or multi-layered perspective.

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Sustainability and Innovation in Digital Ecosystems

Interdisciplinary. Practice-driven. Shape the future.

Online Info Session: Master Sustainable Innopreneurship (M.Sc.)

Do you want more than just a degree?
Do you want to turn ideas into impact, actively shape startups, organizations, and innovation projects, and use digital technologies to create sustainable solutions?

Then get to know our Sustainable Innopreneurship (M.Sc.) master’s program at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

No matter whether your background is in business, computer science, social sciences, design, engineering — or something completely different — our program is interdisciplinary and open to graduates from all bachelor’s degrees. Because we believe that sustainable innovation happens when diverse perspectives come together.

Together, we aim to actively shape business, technology, society, and the environment — through hands-on, project-based learning and collaboration with startups, organizations, and real-world innovation initiatives.

Join our online info session to get an authentic insight into our study format and see how you can become part of it.

When? March 25, 2026 | 17:00–17:45 (CET)

Where? Online via Microsoft Teams
Join here:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/34800699983322?p=1Qs6ZBgVN6DbpJM3xq

Learn more about the program:
https://innopreneurship.de

We look forward to meeting you and shaping the future together!

Latest news

 Fri, 06. Feb 2026

Explore how Artificial Intelligence can shape sustainable, responsible, and ethical futures.

As we approach the Summer Semester 2026, we are promoting the course “Towards Sustainable Futures with AI”, which critically examines Artificial Intelligence as a transformative and generative technology with far-reaching...
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 Wed, 04. Feb 2026

Breaking the "Unicorn-or-Bust" Narrative

Anna Pröpper Successfully Defends Dissertation on the "Startup Zoo"
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 Tue, 03. Feb 2026

Startup Wanted: Work with Students on Your Strategy & Growth in our Moonshot Design Class

Are you an early-stage or innovation-driven startup looking for fresh perspectives, structured strategic thinking, and hands-on support for your next growth steps? In our Disruptive Innovation & Moonshot Design class at the...
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 Sun, 11. Jan 2026

RIS After Work Exchange

Die Lehrstühle für Wirtschaftsinformatik & Transformationsmanagement sowie Sustainability und Innovation in Digitalen Ökosystemen der Universität Duisburg-Essen laden zum nächsten After Work Exchange am 11.03.2026 ein. Im Fokus...
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How we turn Ideas into Impact

The University of Duisburg-Essen is evolving — right in the heart of the Ruhrgebiet. Our entrepreneurial ecosystem empowers students, researchers, and innovators to transform bold ideas into real-world impact.

Discover how Co-Creation Labs, expert guidance, and strong regional and international partners enable ventures to grow — from the first spark of inspiration to successful spin-offs.

This video takes you behind the scenes of a university building the future: diverse, ambitious, and driven by innovation.

FAQ

We are interested in responding to your concerns quickly and with great competence. This small guide will give you a quick overview of our services and relevant persons of contact:

 You would like to write a bachelor or master thesis?

Please have a look at our offers under the point Theses and get in touch with the respective contact person. Please also note the application and registration deadlines. You can find them for bachelor theses under this link and for master theses under this link.

 You have questions about our course offering?

Please have a look at the course page or contact the respective person.

 You would like to create a product or service yourself? 

Reach out to place2b (at) icb.uni-due.de or schedule a meeting.

 You want to visit us and wonder about our office hours?

On our team pages you will find the office hours for each staff member. You can find us in Essen or Duisburg.