Real Futures: Governance, Risk & Scaling

These office hours are practical, founder‑led sessions inspired by the Nordic startup ecosystem - known for producing global unicorns through transparent, iterative, action‑driven experimentation.

This session is designed to help you move your venture forward through testing, learning, and clear, founder‑friendly guidance. Every conversation is tailored to your specific stage, challenges, and operational reality.

We’ll work through how to:

Build early governance and structures that support you rather than slow you downUnderstand risks as you grow, especially when operating in regulated or sensitive sectorsPrepare for scale in a pragmatic, founder‑friendly wayMake decisions that balance speed with long‑term resilienceCreate simple, lightweight systems that help you grow without friction

You’ll leave with: clearer governance foundations, a practical approach to managing risk, and tools for scaling your organisation without unnecessary complexity.

Session Lead: Abda Rothman

Abda Rothman is Head of Sustainability Risks at a leading Nordic bank, bringing 20 years of experience across financial services, regulatory transformation, and digital innovation.

She specialises in aligning regulatory requirements with strategic business goals - enabling organisations to stay compliant, competitive, and future‑ready. Her work bridges:

financial regulation and digital innovationsustainability risk and opportunitytechnology adoption in complex sectorsfounder‑focused, action‑oriented experimentation

Abda brings a distinctly Nordic mindset - transparent, iterative, practical, and designed to create momentum. Her approach supports founders in understanding risk, designing lightweight governance, and building sustainable foundations that accelerate growth rather than restrict it.

Real Futures: Catalyst Converge Accelerator

Real Futures: Catalyst Converge is CSRI’s accelerator for ventures building sustainable real estate and built‑environment solutions. The programme accelerates bold, scalable innovation by connecting founders with researchers, industry partners, and real‑world pilot opportunities.

Ventures receive guided diagnostics, expert mentorship, access to PGIM and UCL resources, and a collaborative ecosystem focused on real‑asset transformation.

What the accelerator offers

Tailored workshops and matched mentorshipAccess to researchers, industry leaders, and investorsPilot opportunities with PGIMSupport for innovation grant applicationsReal‑world validation and market‑readiness

The accelerator integrates with the wider CSRI ecosystem - from Bartlett Invents to executive education, hackathons, and thought leadership - creating a clear path from idea to pilot to scale.

👉 Register your interest in Real Futures: Catalyst Converge Accelerator