We are excited to reflect on a remarkable initiative that brought together Barcelona Executive Business School (BEBS) students in a unique collaboration with Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), as part of a European Commission initiative aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship for long-term solutions.
This EU-supported Moonshot Project provided a platform for BEBS students to participate in a challenge that went beyond technical expertise—it was about creativity, vision, and ambition.
Moonshot Thinking
Professor Andreas Sumper, responsible for the Smart Energy and Networks research group at UPC and of the Master Energy for Smart Cities at EIT InnoEnergy, defines Moonshot Thinking as a radical approach to innovation that seeks to address major global challenges by aiming for transformative, often seemingly impossible, solutions. Rather than focusing on incremental progress, Moonshot Thinking encourages bold, visionary goals that push the boundaries of what is currently feasible.
This methodology involves setting bold, ambitious goals that aim for significant societal impact. It emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together diverse expertise to spark creativity and discover innovative solutions. Additionally, this approach encourages risk-taking and experimentation, recognizing that uncertainty and potential failure are integral to achieving breakthroughs that can transform industries and tackle pressing challenges like climate change, energy, and infrastructure.
For Professor Sumper, Moonshot Thinking is not just about solving technical problems but is deeply tied to motivating people to push beyond conventional limits and explore visionary solutions, often leading to technological and social transformation.
Project Highlights
The Moonshot Project involved the application of advanced tools such as the 4 Horizons Tool and the Opportunity Map to evaluate the potential of each idea. BEBS and UPC students collaborated to push the boundaries of what’s possible, generating bold “What if…?” questions and turning them into actionable solutions. The Moonshot Project yielded four innovative initiatives aimed at addressing critical global challenges:
First, a satellite designed to capture solar energy offers a novel approach to harnessing renewable power from space. Second, robots for waste collection in underserved areas not only recycle materials but also reduce reliance on raw material extraction. Third, the Smart Water Grid empowers individuals to generate their own water, enabling them to sell surplus, akin to solar energy systems. Lastly, artificial trees serve as eco-friendly replacements for street electrical grids, generating energy through their leaves to provide municipalities with a zero-cost lighting solution, thereby transforming urban infrastructure.
Key Project Days
October 22, 2024: Kick off the project, working closely with UPC students to brainstorm and develop their ideas.
October 29, 2024: Follow-up session at UPC, further refining these concepts.
December 10, 2024:A final hands-on workshop at FABLAB, where BEBS and UPC students will collaborate to create prototypes for their visionary projects
The Outcome
The Moonshot Project provides the students real-world experience in innovation, design thinking, and prototyping. This initiative underscored the power of collaboration, creativity, and the diverse, international student community at BEBS &UPC. Through their dedication and innovation, the students delivered solutions with the potential to create lasting change in energy, water management, and sustainable development.
