Why

The Triple Layered Business Model arose from the urgency to look beyond financial value. In a world where climate change, social inequality and resource depletion are increasingly visible, the traditional business model is failing. Read more on our vision page. Many organisations create profits but externalise costs, think environmental damage, social exploitation or future risks. These remain invisible in the financial statements. At the same time, there is growing pressure from legislation, investors, supply chain partners and customers to do something about this. The Triple Layered Business Model helps companies take responsibility, not as an afterthought, but at the core of their strategy. In this way, sustainable business becomes not an obligation, but an opportunity to build future-proof.

The Triple Layered Business Model

The Triple Layered Business Model is an extension of the well-known Business Model Canvas. The model adds two extra layers: an ecological layer and a social layer. Like the original canvas, these layers map an organisation's impact in nine building blocks, but from different perspectives. The ecological layer looks at the entire life cycle of products and services: from raw material to waste. The social layer focuses on all people and communities involved. Think employees, customers, suppliers and local residents. The result is a complete picture of how your business model creates value and where it destroys value. This makes the invisible impact visible and discussable.

How companies can use the canvas

Organisations use the Triple Layered Business Model to re-examine their strategy. Completing the canvas with teams creates sharp insights and honest conversations about impact, opportunities and blind spots. It helps to focus innovation where it really makes a difference - for the market, society and the planet. The canvas is accessible and powerful at the same time: within a one- or two-hour session, there is a first version that opens the conversation. In this way, the canvas forms a bridge between ambition and action, and between sustainable ideals and concrete business decisions.