Renewable Energy & Green Building Entrepreneurship

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON RENEWABLE ENERGY AND GREEN BUILDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

COURSE BACKGROUND

The global push for sustainability has created immense opportunities within the renewable energy and green building sectors. However, translating these opportunities into successful ventures requires a unique blend of entrepreneurial acumen, industry knowledge, and a passion for positive environmental and human health impacts. Many aspiring innovators and business leaders seek practical guidance on launching initiatives in these dynamic fields.

ECAS Institute is excited to offer a course that bridges the gap between innovative ideas and real-world business implementation in the sustainable energy and building sectors. We understand that entrepreneurship is not just about startups, but also about fostering internal innovation within larger organizations. This course is designed to equip participants with tangible tools and strategies for making a difference and generating wealth.

This training focuses on practical applications, step-by-step advice, and relevant case studies to guide participants through the complexities of launching a new business or corporate initiative. By integrating entrepreneurial tools and trends, ECAS seeks to empower individuals to identify problems, develop solutions, engage investors, and take concrete first steps towards impactful ventures in renewable energy and green building.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

After completing this course, students will be able to:

Define key business opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions in the renewable energy and green building sectors.
Analyze a successful business in renewable energy or green building.
Identify 2 to 3 problems you might solve with either renewable energy or green building products or services.
Plan for engaging with investors who might finance a new business.
Take real-world first steps towards launching a new business or corporate initiative, by applying the 1-page business idea summary template and the Business Model Canvas to generating and refining your own new business ideas.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Welcome to the course where you learn to launch a new business in the energy, finance, real estate, design, engineering, or environmental sectors, while also helping you create positive environmental and human health impacts around the world. We will integrate tools, trends, and tips from the field of entrepreneurship as a career path for making a difference and generating wealth in the renewable energy and green building sectors. This is not a course about theory. Instead, we focus on real-world applications, step-by-step advice, and case studies.

You will learn to:

Define key business opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions in the renewable energy and green building sectors.
Analyze a successful business in renewable energy or green building.
Identify 2 to 3 problems you might solve with either renewable energy or green building products or services.
Plan for engaging with investors who might finance a new business.
Take real-world first steps towards launching a new business or corporate initiative, by applying the 1-page business idea summary template and the Business Model Canvas to generating and refining your own new business ideas.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course focused on real-world applications, step-by-step advice, and case studies. The program is designed to guide participants through the process of launching new ventures or corporate initiatives in the renewable energy and green building sectors. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings, practical exercises, and case study analyses, will be communicated prior to the training commencement.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is ideally suited for aspiring and current entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals interested in starting or leading initiatives in the sustainable energy and building sectors. This includes individuals working in or planning to enter:

Energy sector (e.g., renewable energy development, energy efficiency)
Finance sector (e.g., impact investing, venture capital)
Real estate sector (e.g., green property development, sustainable property management)
Design and engineering firms
Environmental organizations
Students and recent graduates looking for an entrepreneurial career path with positive impact.
Professionals at larger organizations seeking to drive internal innovation (intrapreneurship).

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured into practical modules, guiding participants from inspiration and opportunity identification to concrete steps for launching a new business:

No	Module	Details
1.	Get Inspired: The Power of 3 (Entrepreneurship + Green Building + Renewable Energy)	In this module, you will review case studies of three award-winning examples of renewable energy and green building, including onsite videos. We discuss how entrepreneurship is a path for solving big problems that matter. Lectures illustrate that entrepreneurship is NOT just about startups — it’s also about internal innovation at larger organizations. We also dive into some of the many business opportunities in renewable energy and green building. The key topics include: Introduction to entrepreneurship as a career path for impact. Overview of the green building sector: trends, technologies, and market size. Overview of the renewable energy sector: technologies, growth drivers, and market opportunities. Case studies of successful green building and renewable energy ventures (with video insights). The concept of intrapreneurship: innovation within established organizations. Identifying high-impact business opportunities in the green economy.
2.	Dive into Business: Real Opportunity. Real Challenges	In this module, the instructor explains reasons for the significant growth in the renewable energy and green building sectors. We describe challenges and criticisms of both sectors, along with counterpoints and solutions. Finally, we discuss some of the struggles of entrepreneurship that must be overcome on this path of innovation and making positive impact at scale. The key topics include: Market drivers for renewable energy and green building adoption. Key challenges in the renewable energy sector (e.g., intermittency, grid integration, financing barriers). Key challenges in the green building sector (e.g., higher upfront costs, perception, regulatory hurdles). Common criticisms and their counterpoints/solutions in both sectors. Understanding the personal challenges of an entrepreneurial journey (resilience, risk, perseverance). Strategies for overcoming common entrepreneurial obstacles.
3.	Blast Off: Moving from Ideas to Business Implementation	In this module, the instructor provides tangible steps for generating, refining, and launching new business ideas, including tips for website, logo, advisory boards, and using helpful tools, such as the popular and dynamic planning and strategy tool called the Business Model Canvas. We also discuss how to think about building a team, because without one, your startup is just another job, not an enterprise. The key topics include; Idea generation and validation techniques for sustainable ventures. The 1-page business idea summary template: practical application. Introduction and practical use of the Business Model Canvas for planning and strategy. Developing your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or service. Building a strong founding team: identifying roles, skills, and values. Practical tips for early-stage business elements: website, logo, legal considerations. Understanding the role and value of an advisory board.
4.	Securing Support and Scaling Impact (Inferred)	This module will guide participants through strategies for attracting investment and scaling their sustainable energy and green building ventures for broader impact. The key topics include; Types of funding for startups and corporate initiatives (e.g., angel investors, venture capital, grants, crowdfunding). Preparing a compelling pitch deck for investors. Financial modeling basics for new ventures. Understanding investor expectations and due diligence. Strategies for scaling a sustainable business. Measuring and communicating environmental and social impact (impact metrics).

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.