I help individuals and teams to create real-world change through education, entrepreneurship and empathy.
If you prefer more buzzwords, I could say that I apply Systemic Design methods in an Interdisciplinary context to explore how technology can bring Social, Business and Ecological impact.
In practical terms that means:
- I help teams design products and businesses that succeed based on deep understanding of people and systems
- I design courses and teach Human Centred Innovation, Design for Impact and Systemic Design at universities around Europe
- I coach and mentor founders, and scientists or engineers who want to become founders
- I advise early stage companies that I hope will make a difference
I’ve been helping teams make a difference for nearly 20 years. I have worked in the web, telecoms, energy, pharma, deep-tech, healthcare, government, greentech and education sectors.
I’m a Visiting Lecturer in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the Masters’ and MBA programs for ESADE, UPC, Ecole Polytechnique Paris, KTH Stockholm, Politecnico di Torino, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon.
My background is design and business, technology, science and house music. I’ve set up, grown and occasionally bankrupted tech startups, consulting firms, incubators, food trucks, events companies, festivals and illegal raves.
My work is enabled through collaborations with companies, non-profits, innovation centres, public & private investors and universities. Along the way I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing people on inspiring projects.
Science & Research
- CERN (home of the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva)
- CIM (Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya advanced manufacturing research)
- ATTRACT-EU Higher Education
- ESADE
- Istituto Europeo di Design
- UPC
- UTCC Bangkok
- Harbour Space
- Politecnico di Torino
- KTH Stockholm
- Ecole Polytechnique Paris Innovation Ecosystem
- Seedcamp
- Rockstart
- TechCityUK
- Startupbootcamp
- Enterprise Ireland
- S2Xpeed
- UPC Empren European Institute of Innovation and Technology
- EIT InnoEnergy
- EIT Health
- EIT Urban Mobility
- EIT RawMaterials Corporate Enterprise
- Amazon
- LG
- Samsung
- ING
- GSK
- AbbVie
- Sanoma
- Microsoft
- Disney
- Telefonica
- Vodafone
- The Economist
- Visa
Robert Heinlein once said “Specialisation is for insects” and I agree. I’m a proud Generalist - A jack of all trades and master of quite a few.
So… if you’re weirdly passionate about what you’re working on, we should definitely talk.
I’d love to hear all about it.
Work together?
To get in touch, use the Contact form or email me at ian@iancollingwood.com.
Full disclosure
This site is a permanent work-in-progress.
(Just like all of us).