Keano Chang: ESG ventures scholarship recipient

What led you to take Cambridge Judge Business School’s MSt in Entrepreneurship?

As founder of iknowa, an ESG-focused technology company, I’m privileged to lead a talented team making the UK’s energy transition a reality. From comprehensive contractor upskilling in low-carbon and renewable technologies to introducing the UK’s first insurance-backed guarantee with design and performance inclusions, we’ve been able to innovate, provide value and build a regulated trade services platform serving consumers and the wider utility market at scale.

As stakeholder interest in our work intensified, highlighting the critical importance of what we’re building, I recognised the need to strengthen my leadership capabilities for our journey from startup to scale-up. Understanding our growth trajectory, the Cambridge MSt in Entrepreneurship stood out for its exceptional balance between academic rigour, essential for developing the knowledge and leadership skills necessary for scaling, alongside the flexibility required to continue leading as an active entrepreneur.

How do you feel about being awarded your MSt in Entrepreneurship scholarship for ESG ventures?

I’m profoundly grateful for the ESG scholarship, which has made this transformative opportunity at the University of Cambridge possible. Without this support, pursuing the programme would have remained beyond my reach. As a Cambridge scholar, I recognise this award represents far more than a personal academic advancement, it’s a catalyst for amplifying our venture’s impact on the wider built environment sector to reduce carbon emissions and drive job creation within a traditionally under-digitalised sector.

Where do you see your programme journey taking you in your future career?

The MSt in Entrepreneurship will transform my career trajectory, taking me from startup founder to a leader who can genuinely scale impact in the skilled trades sector. What excites me most is how the programme will equip me with the strategic knowledge and network I need to create real change, not just for our business, but for contractors everywhere who need better tools and training to drive the energy transition and build the infrastructure we all depend on.

I see this positioning me to capture the massive market opportunity in trade services while proving that profitable growth and meaningful impact aren’t mutually exclusive. The programme will sharpen my ability to identify scalable revenue models, build strategic partnerships with major players and execute the kind of operational excellence that attracts serious investment.

What does Cambridge mean to you?

To me, Cambridge represents where visionary thinking meets real-world impact – where Frank Whittle invented the jet engine, Alan Turing pioneered modern computing and leaders don’t just study problems but actively solve them at the scale the world needs. Being part of this extraordinary community amplifies my responsibility to build solutions that truly matter and reinforces my commitment to building a transparent and values-driven organisation that can inspire future entrepreneurs and stakeholders alike.