During the summer term 2016, eight students in the course “Business Model Innovation” faced the task of developing new business models for gas stations for the Fachverband Garagen-, Tankstellen- und Serviceunternehmungen of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. Considerable changes like electro mobility, automatization and changing customer needs confront the industry. The students of the WU were tasked with developing new business models for the gas station in the year 2030.

Regarding the method, lecturers as well as external coaches supported the student team. In a first step, the students researched the industry and trends. Afterwards they developed purposefully provocative scenarios of the world in 2030 like “Penny-pinching is cool“, “Go Green“ or “Transparent human“. This provided an actual context for future business models. Under the guidance of Innovation 1030, an innovation consultancy, students, experts and the project partner took part in a one-day workshop. Together, they modeled potential customers for these worlds and developed fitting business models. Afterwards these business models were validated and refined by the student team. The results of this cooperation are three scenarios of the world in 2030 with suitable business models. An executive summary of the project in German language can be found <link entrep kooperationen bisherige-praxisprojekte practiceproj-detail detail branchenvision-2030-die-tankstelle-der-zukunft>here.

The course Business Model Innovation is one of several courses, which employ problem-based learning, in the specialization „Entrepreneurship & Innovation“. In these courses, teams of bachelor students work on projects for industry partners. This is a win-win situation for both students and partners. Under the guidance of the teachers, students deepen their knowledge in the area of business model innovation and learn useful soft-skills for their professional career. Our partners benefit from a fresh and creative perspective as well as new insights in their problems.