René Bohnsack, PhD, is Professor for Strategy and Innovation at Católica-Lisbon and expert in the field of business model innovation, digital transformation and sustainable innovation. René has published his research in the leading international management and innovation journals (e.g. Journal of Business Venturing, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management Studies, Research Policy, etc.), received the Best Paper Award at the Academy of Management ONE Division in 2019, in Sustainable Entrepreneurship in 2016, and the 3rd prize for the best innovation management paper 2013. René is the academic director of the Lisbon MBA and is leading two labs at Católica-Lisbon which work on advanced business model innovation (Business Model Design Lab) and wellbeing in urban areas via sustainable technologies and digital transformation (Smart City Innovation Lab). He shared the findings of his research in an acclaimed TEDx talk in 2019. Next to René’s academic accomplishments, he is also an avid entrepreneur and has founded several ventures. 

Also, Dr. Bohnsack is the founder and head of the Smart City Innovation Lab (SCIL) and the Business Model Design Lab (BMDL), multi-disciplinary research teams working on cutting-edge knowledge on business model innovation and business model teaching. The research of the group focuses on digital, sustainable and international business models and the application of AI for business model innovation. The labs employ currently six researchers who under René’s guidance are lead partners in three major R&D projects concerned with business modelling for digital multi-stakeholder ventures. Moreover, René consults companies on strategic issues related to business modelling, digitalization and internationalization. In total, SCIL and BMDL collaborate with 40+ companies across Europe. René and the team of BMDL is also hosting the award-winning platform Venturely, a unique platform for business modelling.