How open innovation fosters sustainability, with Thomas Bigagli

In a world where sustainability is no longer optional, corporations face the challenge of integrating environmental responsibility into their business models without compromising profitability. The solution lies in open innovation—collaborating with startups, governments, and industry peers to drive impactful change.  

In this episode of Do Better Podcast, we meetThomas Bigagli, Esade alumnus and Partner at Plug and Play Tech Center, to discuss how open innovation is helping organizations in their sustainability efforts. Hosted by Ivanka Visnjic, Director of the Department of Operations, Innovation and Data Sciences at Esade. 

Plug and Play has invested in several sustainability startups and facilitated partnerships that bring cutting-edge sustainability solutions to large corporations. From circular economy, carbon neutrality, clean resources, mining, SAF, fashion—including major initiatives like the Alliance to End Plastic Waste—these collaborations are transforming industries. Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand, but for businesses to succeed, they must embrace structured processes, foster partnerships, and align sustainability with their core strategic goals. 

Integrating sustainability into corporate strategies isn't without challenges. Many companies struggle with internal resistance, short-term thinking, and balancing sustainability with financial performance. To overcome these hurdles, firms must establish clear prioritization frameworks, leadership buy-in, and measurable impact tracking.

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