Geneva Responsible Entrepreneurship Center

Shaping the future we want through entrepreneurial action

The GREC aims to build a strong culture of responsible entrepreneurship at UNIGE and beyond. It generates and disseminates knowledge at the intersection of entrepreneurial action and sustainable development. In particular, it focuses on reframing societal challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities, harnessing the power of collective action, building responsible businesses, and measuring sustainability and impact. The mission of the GREC comprises four key components: 1) Research, 2) Education and Inspiration, 3) Entrepreneurial Project Support, and 4) Community and Network Building.

The Geneva Responsible Entrepreneurship Center is hosted at Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM). It was established to capitalize on the complementary skills and resources of GSEM and the Faculty of Science but is open to everyone—students, researchers, as well as teaching and administrative staff—affiliated with UNIGE.

What is Responsible Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is the process of turning problems into opportunities to create value—often, but not necessarily, by establishing new businesses. Entrepreneurship takes many forms. It can be rooted in new technologies, but it may also not involve any technological component. It can be motivated by a desire to change the world, solve a specific group of people's problems, or serve as a mode of self-expression. It can lead to the establishment of a new business, a different type or organization, an innovative program at the university, or a new product or division within a larger company. Some businesses grow and go public, while others remain small or branch out.

Entrepreneurship is one of the most potent tools we possess to effect change in the world. This is an asset, but it also comes with the responsibility to harness this potential for the greater good, whether within the organization, the local community, or society at large. Of course, not every entrepreneurial endeavor can be launched with the aim of changing the world. While developing business models that merge impact and financial viability is one way to assume responsibility, responsible entrepreneurship is also about how a venture is designed and operated. Most importantly, and contrary to common assumptions, responsible entrepreneurship is not about achieving perfection. It is about conscientiously evaluating the status quo and setting ambitious, yet attainable, goals to enhance sustainability and impact in alignment with, rather than in opposition to, the overall strategy. Therefore, responsible entrepreneurship is a highly strategic undertaking that must be data-driven and action-oriented. Collective action and community engagement are highly effective approaches within responsible entrepreneurship.