Everything You Need to Know About the History and People behind the Sustainable Business Model Academy

  • The SBMA was founded shortly after Thomas and Elissa finished their Master in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability in Sweden, mid 2016. Thomas had done his thesis research exploring how a Lean startup business development context could benefit from a systemic lens and principles for strategic sustainability.
  • He soon learned that the optimal leverage point to introduce a different way of thinking about business growth and business success was to introduce better questions from the very start of designing innovative business models.
  • Based on proven concepts, tools, and frameworks, he initially developed a series of Trigger Questions especially crafted to invite a systems thinking perspective and sustainability focus to each of the building blocks of any business model.
  • Since then, the Sustainable Business Model Canvas Methodology has been continuously developed in workshops with entrepreneurs and business owners of various types organizations, into a simple and effective approach to accelerate sustainable business development through participatory business model innovation.

About Thomas van der Molen

Founder | Creator | Coach | Facilitator

Thomas He loves to work with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures to help them see things from a sustainability focused perspective. He holds an MSc in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability, a BSc in International Business and Management Studies and has been trained in a variety of approaches for process facilitation and leadership development.


Next to the Sustainable Business Model Academy, Thomas is a Senior ESG Facilitator at Nexio Projects, where he supports clients from diverse industries and locations to develop their sustainablity strategy, implement improvements and innovations, and obtain the EcoVadis and/or B Corp certifications.

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About Elissa Cardoso

Co-Founder | Advisor | Coach | Facilitator

Elissa is passionate about engaging people and supporting change in different organizations and territories to create a positive impact in the world. She holds an MSc in Sustainability and Leadership, specializations in Social and Environmental Management and Project Management, and most recently a MSc in Public Policy & Governance.


Besides her role with the Sustainable Business Model Academy, Elissa works as a Senior Analyst for B Lab where she is responsible for the verification of multinationals and SMEs that want to become B Corp certified.

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The Sustainable Business Model Academy is a brand by:

Thomas van der Molen / TM Strategic Sustainable Development

Dutch Chamber of Commerce registration: 71999086 

VAT number: NL002181191B20

Learn how to build a Sustainable Business Model

Even if You have No Idea What To Do or Where To Start
Download the SBM Canvas
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