Plekhanov university
The hardest business problems rarely come with clear answers. This program gives you a structured way to find them. Learn to read emerging signals, uncover the real constraints behind complex problems, translate human needs into opportunities, and turn promising ideas into tested solutions using practical innovation frameworks.
Start Date: October 5, 2026
Duration: 12 academic hours, 4 sessions
Format: Online or in person at the Plekhanov University Innovation Hub (i@π)
Start Date: October 5, 2026
Duration: 12 academic hours, 4 sessions
Format: Online or in person at the Plekhanov University Innovation Hub (i@π)
“Why is my company’s revenue at a standstill?”
“How do I know if the business I want to build will actually have a place in the market?”
“Why is my product not performing well?”
PROTOTYPING AND TESTING
Move beyond the promising idea. Build a low-fidelity prototype, put it to the test, and iterate toward an actionable solution with stronger potential.
FINDING THE PROBLEM-SOLUTION FIT
An idea is only valuable if it addresses a real need. Translate stakeholder insights into a focused solution and test whether what you are proposing creates meaningful value, be it a service for customers or a solution to internal corporate hangups.
DEFINING THE PROBLEM
Before solving a problem, you need to know what is actually standing in the way. Learn to map a challenge, identify its constraints, and turn complexity into a clearly defined problem.
FINDING THE OPPORTUNITY SPACE
Whether your obstacle is managerial, at the startup launch phase, or in understanding stakeholders, Innovation Frameworks help you move beyond unstructured guesswork and make ideation and finding opportunities for improvement a clearer, more reliable pathway.
If you’ve ever thought one or more of these questions, your solution may be hiding in this program.
$15 Trillion Is Wasted by Companies Annually Due to Poor Planning
Behind “poor planning” are often deeper problems: decisions made without a clear view of the system, solutions built before the real problem is understood, and ideas that are never properly tested with the people they are meant to serve.
Whatever the obstacle your business is facing, this program teaches you a replicable approach to navigating uncertainty and turning complex challenges into opportunities for action.
Whatever the obstacle your business is facing, this program teaches you a replicable approach to navigating uncertainty and turning complex challenges into opportunities for action.
APPLY NOW
Don’t let your company be a statistic.
04
IS THIS PROGRAM FOR YOU?
TEAM LEADERS & PROFESSIONALS
Develop a practical approach to tackling unfamiliar problems, making sense of uncertainty, and helping your teams move from questions to actionable solutions.
02
ENTREPRENEURS & FOUNDERS
Move beyond “Is this a good idea?” and learn how to investigate the market, understand the problem, test your assumptions, and build toward a solution with real market potential.
03
R&D, PROJECT & INNOVATION TEAMS
Turn complex challenges into structured opportunities and develop solutions through a process of research, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
01
BUSINESS STRATEGISTS & MANAGERS
When growth has stalled or the path forward is unclear, use structured, tried-and-true approaches to uncover opportunities, understand constraints, and identify new directions.
This program is open to all professionals who are responsible for solving problems, developing new initiatives, or driving change across both corporate and social sectors.
Inside the Program
What is changing around the problem you are trying to solve?
Construct a comprehensive futures scan to identify the megatrends shaping your chosen SDG domain and uncover signals that could reveal emerging challenges and opportunities.
Construct a comprehensive futures scan to identify the megatrends shaping your chosen SDG domain and uncover signals that could reveal emerging challenges and opportunities.
What is really standing in the way?
Build a system constraint map to understand the forces, relationships, and limitations surrounding your challenge, then formulate a validated “How Might We?” statement that gives your team a clear direction for solving it.
Build a system constraint map to understand the forces, relationships, and limitations surrounding your challenge, then formulate a validated “How Might We?” statement that gives your team a clear direction for solving it.
What would a solution look like from the user's point of view?
Translate user insights into an initial physical or digital low-fidelity prototype, moving from an identified need to something tangible that can be explored and tested.
Translate user insights into an initial physical or digital low-fidelity prototype, moving from an identified need to something tangible that can be explored and tested.
Does the solution actually work?
Test and iterate your prototype, use what you learn to strengthen the solution, and deliver a professional five-minute pitch covering the problem, solution, impact, testing data, and one honest open question that remains.
Test and iterate your prototype, use what you learn to strengthen the solution, and deliver a professional five-minute pitch covering the problem, solution, impact, testing data, and one honest open question that remains.
Markets change. Customers change. The solution that works today may not be the solution you need tomorrow.
With an advanced, interdisciplinary innovation toolkit in your arsenal, you will be able to confidently approach unfamiliar problems, identify what matters, test what might work, and adapt based on what you learn.
With an advanced, interdisciplinary innovation toolkit in your arsenal, you will be able to confidently approach unfamiliar problems, identify what matters, test what might work, and adapt based on what you learn.
APPLY NOW
Turn Uncertainty Into Your Next Opportunity.
11 Alumni on the Forbes Billionaires List
According to Forbes’ 2025 rankings, 11 Plekhanov University alumni are included on the list of Russian billionaires.
A University Founded by Entrepreneurs, for Entrepreneurs
Plekhanov University was founded with funding from Moscow businessmen as an educational institution for those passionate about entrepreneurship.
More Than 120 Years of Academic History
The university’s main campus in Moscow has been operating since 1907, offering top-tier education in economics, business, finance, and many other fields.
Study at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics’ Dubai campus, one of Russia’s leading universities in economics.
A Technological, Entrepreneurial University
28 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, PHD IN EDUCATION, CERTIFIED DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SPECIALIST
Dr. Nadkarni is a professor, business consultant, and digital innovation expert. He has extensive experience working with startups and SMEs through consultancy, incubation programs, and tailored innovation services.
Dr. Nadkarni has led numerous projects for international corporations and government entities, and has taught at universities across Asia, the GCC, and Europe.
Education and Certifications:
Dr. Nadkarni has led numerous projects for international corporations and government entities, and has taught at universities across Asia, the GCC, and Europe.
Education and Certifications:
- PhD in Education, University of Hull
- MSc in Physics & Mathematics, Moscow State University
- GenAI + Strategy, Harvard Business School AI Institute
- GenAI + Marketing, Harvard Business School AI Institute
- Digital Transformation Specialist Certification, Cornell University
Dr. Sanjay Nadkarni
