Education
A multidisciplinary academic journey grounded in management, entrepreneurship, and business innovation.
Across all stages of my education — from my Bachelor’s foundation in business and international trade, to graduating as the top student of the University of Tehran’s Faculty of Entrepreneurship, to my ongoing doctoral work in strategic foresight — my studies have consistently focused on understanding, designing, and shaping systems of value creation.
My academic path reflects a single throughline: equipping myself with the strategic, analytical, and design-driven capabilities needed to turn ideas, industries, and futures into structured opportunity.
Formal Education & Academic Development
Academia
A structured journey through Iran’s top universities, focused entirely on management, entrepreneurship, and the science of designing future-ready organizations.
University of Eyvan Key | 2024 – 2025 (Relocated to Sweden)
Doctor of Futures Studies
(PhD Candidate)
Strategic Foresight
My PhD trains me to turn weak signals into strategic options, directly shaping product roadmaps and high-level organisational decisions.
Policy Innovation Bridge
Research links foresight with public policy and innovation, enabling employers to future-proof services and design migration-informed offerings.
Systems Thinking Lens
I model socio-technical systems to design resilient products and policies, improving adaptability across product, strategy, and migration work.
Career Definer Shift
This doctorate reframed my career: from maker to strategist — combining entrepreneurship, foresight and anticipatory decision-making in practice.
Understanding, Designing, and Influencing the Future
University of Tehran
Faculty of Entrepreneurship | 2022 – 2024
MA of Business Design
Top Graduate
Graduated with 19.45/20 GPA, "Perfect" thesis score, and became the first student to complete the degree in only three semesters.
Thesis Pivot Framework
My thesis produced a practical framework for zoom-in / zoom-out pivots used to guide startups through strategic product and market shifts.
Business Design Practice
Trained in human-centred, scalable business modelling and rapid validation — methods I apply to product strategy and GTM experiments.
Regional Pioneer
Studied at the Middle East’s first entrepreneurship faculty, learning to connect strategy, design, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Designing Systems of Value Creation
Islamic Azad University – Central Tehran Branch | 2017 – 2022
BAA of Customs Management
Trade Systems
Learned global trade rules, customs processes, and regulatory frameworks—building a strong foundation for international business.
Applied Learning
Studied in one of Iran’s largest private university systems with emphasis on real-world trade, logistics, and compliance practice.
Management Base
Developed core competencies in management, economics, and strategy that supported later work in entrepreneurship and foresight.
Early Direction
This degree shaped my analytical mindset and sparked my shift toward entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term strategic design.
From Global Business Foundations to Entrepreneurial Thinking
My University Workshops and Coaching Efforts
Teaching Experience
Hands-on teaching at the University of Tehran, empowering creative students to transform their ideas into capability, clarity, and viable entrepreneurial pathways.
From Creativity to Capability: Building Your Entrepreneurial Self
As the invited instructor for this interactive workshop, I designed and led a hands-on session for more than 40 Fine Arts and Industrial Design students, helping them translate artistic creativity into entrepreneurial capability. The purpose of this workshop was to show students that entrepreneurship is not separate from art — it is an extension of creativity, problem-solving, and identity.
Across the session, I introduced frameworks such as Effectuation Theory, Growth Mindset, and Lean Startup, giving participants a structured way to understand how ideas evolve into value-creating opportunities. Through guided discussion, reflective self-inventory exercises, and rapid prototyping challenges, students explored their strengths, networks, and motivations — discovering how creativity becomes a foundation for innovation.
The workshop emphasized transformation: moving from “creativity as expression” to “creativity as value creation.” Students engaged in empathy-driven design activities, explored real-world challenges, and applied entrepreneurial thinking to build prototype solutions. The workshop concluded with a mini design sprint where teams pitched their concepts.
My role throughout the session was to facilitate conceptual understanding, encourage experimentation, and empower artistic minds to see entrepreneurship as a mindset they can actively cultivate.
From Idea to Investment: How Entrepreneurs Attract Capital
I designed and facilitated this fast-paced 90-minute workshop to introduce fine arts students to the practical journey of transforming raw ideas into fundable concepts. Structured as a hybrid of startup simulation, team collaboration, and investor-mindset training, the session helped students build confidence in business model thinking — regardless of their artistic background.
We began with an exploration of opportunity recognition and creative problem-solving, followed by a guided introduction to the Lean Canvas framework (Ash Maurya). Students articulated problem–solution fit, customer segments, unique value, and revenue logic. Using accessible real-life examples and collaborative sketching activities, they learned how even abstract creative ideas can evolve into structured ventures.
The workshop then transitioned into the startup investment landscape. I introduced the roles and expectations of angel investors, venture capital funds, corporate investors, and crowdfunding platforms, helping students understand how each evaluates opportunity. Teams matched fictional ideas with the appropriate investor type and practiced delivering concise, high-impact pitches.
The workshop ended with a live peer-feedback round, reinforcing Tony Hsieh’s principle that “money follows clarity and purpose.” My facilitation combined storytelling, simulation, and coaching to help students realize that entrepreneurship is not finance-driven — it is creativity structured into opportunity.
Certificate of Appreciation
University of Tehran,
Faculty of Fine Arts (2024)
Awarded in recognition of my contribution to the “Design Jump: Bridging Design, Business, and Entrepreneurship” workshop — a specialized interdisciplinary program hosted by the Department of Industrial Design at the University of Tehran’s prestigious Faculty of Fine Arts.
This certificate acknowledges my role in co-developing and delivering key parts of the workshop, guiding students through the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and practical innovation. Through real-world examples, hands-on frameworks, and interactive exercises, I helped participants transform artistic thinking into entrepreneurial capability, giving them tools to articulate value, identify opportunities, and prototype solutions.
“The Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran presents this Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Ehsan Mousavi in recognition of his collaboration and teaching contribution in the specialized workshop “Design Jump: Bridging Design, Business, and Entrepreneurship,” held in April–May 2024. His presence provided students with practical insights and inspiration, helping them connect artistic creativity to entrepreneurial action. His guidance played a key role in achieving the program’s educational and research goals.”
Conference Papers & Research Contributions
Publications
Selected research that connects entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact—translating academic insight into practical frameworks for founders and future-oriented businesses.
Conference Paper | 2024
Strategic Entrepreneurship in Family Businesses
I chose to explore this topic because of my long-standing exposure to family businesses and the unique challenges they face when balancing tradition with innovation. I wanted to understand how these organizations can adopt a more strategic, entrepreneurial mindset without losing the identity and trust-based culture that make them special.
Through this research, I analyzed the factors that enable or block innovation in family-run enterprises — including resistance to change, informal structures, succession complexity, and the tension between emotional and economic decision-making. Studying these dynamics helped me see how important it is for such businesses to develop flexible strategies, professionalize where needed, and embrace new market opportunities.
This work directly contributes to my professional life by strengthening my ability to guide founders and family-led ventures through strategic transitions. It sharpened my understanding of opportunity recognition, business model renewal, and organizational change — competencies I now apply in consulting, design thinking, and entrepreneurship education.
Conference Paper | 2024
A Literature Review on Social Entrepreneurship Models
I conducted this research to better understand how entrepreneurship can be used as a tool for social impact — an area that has always been important to me. My goal was to explore the different ways entrepreneurs around the world are addressing social and environmental problems while building financially sustainable ventures.
While reviewing key models such as Social Enterprises, Benefit Corporations, Impact Investing, Microfinance, and Hybrid Nonprofit–For-Profit structures, I gained a deeper perspective on how each model balances mission with revenue. This helped me see how innovation, community engagement, and financial logic come together to create long-lasting impact.
This study now informs my work in entrepreneurship education, strategic consulting, and business design. It strengthens my ability to help founders build purpose-driven ventures, design value-centered business models, and apply social innovation frameworks to real-world challenges — bridging academic understanding with practical, actionable strategy.
Multilingual Capability for Global Work
Languages
Advanced proficiency in English and French, alongside ongoing Swedish learning—enabling effective communication across multicultural teams and international environments.
English - C2
Academic and professional fluency for research, communication, and global collaboration.
British Council Certified (IELTS)
C2 – Advanced Mastery
English has been the foundational language of my academic development, professional communication, and personal identity as a researcher and entrepreneur. My journey began in childhood, and I later completed the full semester-based curriculum at the Iran Language Institute (ILI) — the most established English education system in Iran — where I built structured linguistic and grammatical mastery.
Beyond formal training, I have lived in continuous immersion for more than a decade: consuming English media, reading English-language academic literature, working with international teams, and operating professionally in English for all research, teaching, and consulting work.
My English proficiency is central not only to my academic work but also to my global mobility and cross-cultural communication in professional environments.
A lifelong relationship with the English language
My professional world has always been English-driven — from reading academic material in futures studies and entrepreneurship to teaching, writing papers, and collaborating with international colleagues. This long-term immersion trained me to think, conceptualize, and articulate complex ideas in English with clarity.
My academic writing, thesis work, conference papers, and university workshops are all delivered in English, strengthening both my formal and applied fluency.
French - B2
Independent user with strong listening and reading comprehension; conversational fluency.
Ev@lang Assessment
B2+ – Upper-Intermediate
I decided to learn French after becoming fully confident in English and wanting to explore another global language that offered cultural richness, elegance, and intellectual depth. My French learning journey began with intensive online classes, where I committed to daily practice, structured coursework, and immersive exposure through film, media, and reading.
Within just six months, I achieved a B2+ level — a result reflecting fast learning, disciplined study, and a strong affinity for languages. I continue to practice French actively and enjoy speaking it whenever possible.
French has enhanced my intercultural communication skills and deepened my appreciation for European academic and cultural traditions.
A personal passion for language, culture, and expression
French appealed to me for its beauty, clarity, and global influence. It quickly became more than a language — it became a cultural journey. I often use French in informal communication, follow French podcasts and films, and maintain active reading practice.
My ongoing goal is to complement my English proficiency with refined French communication for both cultural and professional contexts across Europe.
Swedish - A2
Foundational proficiency in everyday communication; ongoing learning and immersion planned in Sweden.
Completed 4-month online Swedish language course
A2 – Elementary User
As a linguophile and someone committed to integrating into the country where I plan to build my career, I began learning Swedish immediately after deciding to apply for the Job Seeker Visa. Over the course of four months, I completed a structured A2 program through an online language institute and practiced conversational Swedish daily.
I developed a strong foundation in everyday communication — including introductions, basic grammar structures, regular verbs, and essential vocabulary for living and working in Sweden.
My Swedish learning paused briefly as I prepared for relocation, but I am highly motivated to continue my progression to B1/B2 through immersion once in Sweden.
Swedish learning journey — commitment to integration
Learning Swedish is not only a linguistic skill but also a commitment to cultural integration, community participation, and long-term life in Sweden. I view Swedish as a key part of building meaningful connections — both personally and professionally — and I look forward to learning through real immersion.
My goal is to achieve workplace-level Swedish fluency (B2) to complement my English proficiency and support seamless integration into Swedish society and professional environments.
Adaptability & Passion for Language Learning
Natural talent for rapid language acquisition and a lifelong commitment to mastering new languages as part of cultural and professional integration.
Quick Learner, Especially Languages
Language Learning Aptitude
I have shown my aptitude for quick language learning through immersion, consistent practice, and structured study. I am passionate about embracing new linguistic challenges to integrate seamlessly into diverse environments.
I have developed a natural ability to absorb languages efficiently, aided by my passion for cultural immersion and communication. Over the years, I’ve demonstrated an innate talent for language learning, successfully acquiring proficiency in multiple languages within relatively short time frames. My language skills extend beyond just functional communication; they reflect a deep respect for the cultures and societies they represent.
Commitment to Future Language Requirements
Ready to learn any language necessary for professional roles and future relocations, ensuring effective communication in new markets and environments.
I am committed to continuously expanding my language capabilities. While I am currently proficient in English, French, and Swedish, I am fully prepared to learn any additional languages required for my professional growth and future career opportunities. My goal is to be linguistically flexible, ensuring I can seamlessly integrate into international teams and local cultures wherever my career takes me.
Professional Training & Continuous Learning
Certifications
Industry-recognized certifications in marketing, content, and digital strategy that complement academic education with applied, up-to-date professional skill sets.
HubSpot Academy
Inbound Marketing Certified
This certification validates full proficiency in applying inbound marketing principles to attract, engage, and delight customers. The program covers audience analysis, content mapping, customer segmentation, and the integration of automation and behavioral data to create sustainable marketing funnels. It demonstrates the ability to design and execute content-driven campaigns that convert leads and maximize ROI.
Curriculum Completed:
Inbound Marketing Fundamentals
Understanding Customer Personas & Segmentation
Creating Content for the Buyer’s Journey
Content Distribution Strategy
Behavioral Marketing & Lifecycle Mapping
Marketing Attribution & ROI Optimization
Marketing Automation & AI-Driven Workflows
HubSpot Academy
SEO Certification
This certification demonstrates advanced knowledge of Search Engine Optimization techniques, covering both technical and content-based strategies. The program equips professionals with the ability to optimize websites for search engine performance, improve indexing and crawlability, and design SEO-driven content frameworks. It confirms the ability to apply best practices for ranking, organic traffic growth, and search result enhancement.
Curriculum Completed:
SEO Basics
On-Page & Technical SEO
Keyword Research for SEO
Link Building & Scalable Backlink Strategy
Optimizing Websites for Rich Results
SEO Reporting & Performance Analysis
Afarinesh IELTS House
IELTS Teacher Education Workshop
This certificate recognizes the completion of a comprehensive 40-hour IELTS Teacher Education Workshop, hosted by Afarinesh IELTS House — one of Iran’s leading IELTS training institutions. The program focused on pedagogical strategy, assessment methodology, classroom management, and teaching techniques required for effective IELTS instruction.
Training Components:
IELTS Academic & General Module Structures
Teaching Techniques for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Assessment & Feedback Strategies
Common Candidate Weaknesses & Error Correction
Lesson Planning & Classroom Management
Instructor Performance Evaluation
