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 entrepeneurship, 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

Join the Digital Startup Camp for Summer 2026

We invite ambitious Bachelor and Master students to apply for the "Digital Startup Camp" in Summer 2026.

We invitee ambitious Bachelor and Master students to apply for the intensive Digital Startup Camp in Summer 2026. This unique block event is designed to immerse you in the entrepreneurial world, testing your "startup suitability" and developing essential soft skills.

This is more than just a course—it's an opportunity to step away from the daily university routine and dive into the integrative generation and implementation of innovative startup ideas within student teams. You will experience a simulated startup environment, culminating in a critical presentation to a potential investor.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

Don't miss the chance to gain practical experience, develop your entrepreneurial mindset, and test your business skills in a dynamic, real-world simulation!

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Latest news

 Thu, 04. Dec 2025

IntelliSys 2026 Accepts Paper by Team Member Mahnoor Shahid

We are happy to announce that Mahnoor Shahid, a member of our team at the Chair of Sustainability and Innovation in Digital Ecosystems, has had her paper accepted at the Intelligent Systems Conference 2026. Her work, titled...
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 Thu, 04. Dec 2025

DaWeNa-Hub Features Prof. Hannes Rothe

We are proud to announce that DaWeNa-Hub has published a new portrait of Prof. Hannes Rothe. He is professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen, leading the chair for “Sustainability and Innovation in Digital Ecosystems” and...
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 Thu, 04. Dec 2025

New Cohort Tackles Real-World Impact in MSc in Sustainable Innopreneurship

We are pleased to welcome the new Cohort 2025 of the MSc in Sustainable Innopreneurship. By joining this program, our students are not only beginning a degree—they are taking their first steps toward creating real-world impact. L...
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 Mon, 01. Dec 2025

Generio Takes the Stage at Heilbronn Slush’D 2025

We are delighted to recap an exciting highlight from this year’s innovation calendar: Generio took the stage at Heilbronn Slush’D 2025, delivering a compelling presence at one of Europe’s most dynamic startup gatherings. The...
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 Mon, 01. Dec 2025

Medirion Wins Science4Life Idea Phase Award

We are excited to highlight a major milestone for Medirion, one of the rising innovators in AI-powered medical technology. Out of more than 120 applications, Medirion has been selected as one of just five winning startups in this...
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 Wed, 26. Nov 2025

Circular Economy Workshop - PlaceBeyondBytes meets Circular Valley

Entdecken, Mitgestalten & Vernetzen – gemeinsam für eine zirkuläre Zukunft! Wir freuen uns sehr, dass mit Circular Valley, ein führender Accelerator für Startups der Kreislaufwirtschaft, zu uns ins PlaceBeyondBytes kommt. Die...
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 Mon, 10. Nov 2025

Our Contribution to Landmark Book on Digital Health in Germany: Focusing on the European Health Data Space

Team SUST is proud to announce the publication of a significant book chapter in the newly released volume, "Digitale Gesundheit in Deutschland – Wo stehen wir und wo müssen wir hinkommen?" (Digital Health in Germany – Where We...
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 Thu, 30. Oct 2025

Strengthening Collaboration Between European University Alliances

A strategic meeting took place on 24 October at The Place Beyond Bytes Startup Incubator, led by Professor Dr. Hannes Rothe, bringing together representatives from two leading European university alliances to explore new avenues...
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 Thu, 30. Oct 2025

Entrepreneurial Digital Resilience in War: Lessons from Ukrainian SMEs

New publication at HICSS Conference by A. Komysheva, Prof. L. Wessel and Prof. H. Rothe.
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 Wed, 29. Oct 2025

"Class of Tomorrow": BRYCK STARTUP ALLIANCE Launch Signals a Deep Tech Future for the Ruhr Region

The Ruhr region is rapidly transforming its identity, shifting from its historic foundation in steel to become a powerful Startup Factory for deep tech.
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 Tue, 28. Oct 2025

Apply Now! Join the Digital Startup Camp for Summer 2026

We invite ambitious Bachelor and Master students to apply for the "Digital Startup Camp" in Summer 2026.
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 Fri, 24. Oct 2025

New Course: Digital Ideation and Entrepreneurial Design (DiEd) – formerly Sustainable Digital Entrepreneurship

The Master-level course has been updated: it will now be offered under the title “Digital Ideation and Entrepreneurial Design (DiEd)”, replacing the previous course “Sustainable Digital Entrepreneurship” for IS students. This...
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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.