DECIDE Workshop Series Continues: Circular Business Ideas for the Future Developed in Stuttgart

On May 20, 2025, the second workshop in the series “Ideas for the Future: Business Models for Sustainable Success” took place. This time, the Zentrum für Digitalisierung ZD.BB GmbH invited participants to the new pop-up space “RE:THINKING – Experiencing the Circular Economy”, located right next to Stuttgart Central Station.

Photos: ZD.BB GmbH/Diana Schwarz-Dermann

Participants from a wide range of industries received a hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of the circular economy and learned how the Interreg project DECIDE – “Digital Services for Circular Economy – a Toolbox for Regional Developers & SMEs” supports companies and regional development agencies in actively engaging with circular economy practices.

Photos: ZD.BB GmbH/Diana Schwarz-Dermann

Project manager Severine Dommer presented two case studies from DECIDE project partners, illustrating how circular economy models can be implemented in a profitable and practical way. Participants also got a first look at the digital tools developed as part of the DECIDE toolbox and how these can support companies in real-world applications. In the interactive part of the workshop, Martin Kinitzki, consultant for digital business models at ZD.BB, guided the group in developing their own circular business ideas based on a fictional case study. This creative, hands-on approach was particularly well received by the participants.

Project manager Severine Dommer and Martin Kinitzki, consultant for digital business models at ZD.BB. Photos: ZD.BB GmbH/Diana Schwarz-Dermann

The DECIDE event was also the first to take place in the new pop-up space – even before its official opening. After the workshop, participants had the opportunity to explore various regional examples of circular economy practices presented in the exhibition area.