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What is meant by an innovative startup?
An innovative startup is a company that is distinguished by the development of innovative solutions with high technological value.In order to be defined in all respects as an innovative startup, in fact, the company must be concerned with the production and marketing of products or services with ahigh technological matrix, which are capable of having a positive impact in the sector in which they operate.
Thus, the innovative startup is concerned with bringing new solutions to the market that are capable of responding to a need and that can be recognized as real progress.
Clearly, an innovative startup must also meet certain requirements, and first and foremost, it must be registered in the appropriate section of the Business Registry.
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The characteristics of an innovative startup
Today, the concept of innovative startup is increasingly linked to that of sustainability, so much so that, according to public data from the Business Register of Italian innovative startups., there are 15,282 high-tech startups in the energy field (28.3 percent were born in 2021 alone) and many more that have a real impact on environmental sustainability.
How so? To understand the reasons for this link, let's start by looking at some characteristics of innovative startups.
- Innovation.
As we have seen, they are distinguished by their ability to introduce significant innovations in the market, which may relate to products, services, technologies or business models. The goal is to offer something new, improved or completely revolutionary compared to what is currently available.
- Market orientation.
They are focused on the market and customers' needs, such that actively listening to consumers and seeking feedback are an integral part of the product and service development process.
- Agility and adaptability.
They are characterized by a high degree of flexibility and ability to adapt quickly to market changes, are able to identify emerging opportunities, and are able to react promptly to challenges. This enables them to maintain a competitive advantage and remain relevant in an ever-changing business environment.
- Multidisciplinary team.
They often consist of multidisciplinary teams composed of individuals with different skills and perspectives. This enables them to comprehensively address challenges and combine complementary knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions.
- Access to capital.
They typically rely in part on external financing to support their growth; they may seek investment from venture capitalists, business angels, or participate in incubator and accelerator programs. Access to capital is critical to fund research and development, expand operations, and support the company's scalability.
But how do these features tie in with environmental sustainability?
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Innovative startups and sustainability: how these 2 worlds are connected
In recent years, attention to environmental sustainability has intensified worldwide: people, companies and institutions are becoming increasingly aware of the negative impact of their actions on the environment and society, and are looking for ways to reduce it.
In this context, it is obvious that an innovative startup, which was founded to bring innovation and solutions to current problems, must make itself prepared in what is now defined by many as "the greatest challenge of the century": the fight against climate change.
Many of these startups were founded with precisely this specific mission, driven by the will to tackle this great challenge. These entities see sustainability as an integral part of their purpose and a way to realize their long-term vision.
We at Up2You are an example of this: in fact, we are a greentech and B Corp certified startup. Our goal is to accompany companies on customized paths toward greater environmental sustainability, thanks to our proven method (called Climate Formula) and the use of proprietary technologies that allow them to approach sustainability in a flexible, rapid and comprehensive way, while also integrating aspects such as communication, certifications and staff training.
Of course, not all innovative startups are born with the purpose of providing solutions for achieving environmental sustainability. Others embed sustainability within their corporate values while maintaining a different business model: many, for example, are committed to reducing their environmental impact through strategies to reduce and offset emissions.
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Why does an innovative startup reduce and offset its emissions?
There are several reasons why innovative startups today invest in environmental sustainability:
- Competitive advantage.
Adopting sustainable practices can confer a real competitive advantage. Today's consumers are increasingly paying attention to the environmental impact of the products and services they purchase, and companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability can win the trust and loyalty of customers, differentiating themselves from competitors. In addition, adopting sustainable solutions can reduce long-term operating costs, improving a company's efficiency and profitability.
- Innovation and creativity.
Investment in sustainability can stimulate innovation and creativity within a startup; a commitment to sustainability can push these companies to seek alternative solutions, explore new technologies, and develop products and services that meet current market needs.
- Social responsibility.
Innovative startups often feel a special responsibility to the society and environment in which they operate; hence their commitment to 'addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality.
- Access to capital.
As we have seen, these companies depend on external financing to sustain their growth, and, especially in recent years, investors have become increasingly interested in supporting companies that integrate sustainability into their business models; therefore, startups that demonstrate a responsible approach to the environment and society are more likely to attract investment and access dedicated sustainability funds.
In fact, in Europe, investments related to the world of sustainability reached a value of about 13 billion in 2019-2020. This is a market that is capturing enormous economic and business interests, capable of developing in many different areas and effectively managing to take advantage of innovative technologies, all to the benefit of more sustainable business models.
Among the key players in the economic transformation, we cannot fail to mention the giant BlackRock, the world's leading investment fund, which manages capital of $7 trillion and has decided to consider only sustainability-oriented businesses. The firm, following recent research, claims that the topic of environmental sustainability is of interest to more than 89 percent of investors in 27 countries around the world and a managed portfolio of $25 trillion.
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Which startups are investing in sustainability? Testimonials from those who have already done so
To help you understand which startups have already invested in sustainability and the reasons why they have done so, we have collected some testimonials from startups that are our clients and have started with Up2You on a path to environmental sustainability.
SMACE
"First, we care deeply about the environmental impact of our activities and want to do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Second, we believe that adopting sustainable practices can be a competitive advantage in the modern marketplace. In fact, more and more companies are choosing to do business with responsible partners, and we have noticed an increase in satisfaction in customers who choose to apply Up2You services to services purchased through SMACE."
Andrea Droghetti, Co-founder & CEO of SMACE
Qodeup
"Renewable energy for us is not an option, but part of our mission. This is why we decided to partner with Up2You: we reduce our environmental impact by also offering customers the opportunity to make choices in harmony with their values. A simple and concrete gesture that translates into tons of CO2 absorbed each year."
Vanessa Matera, Copywriter at Qodeup
WebinWord
"We chose to become a carbon neutral company in order to be an organization that cares not only about its people, but also about the planet. Among many well-being activities that we dedicate to our team, we thought bigger, trying to promote well-being for our planet as well. We got an immediate media response, from our clients who felt even more connected to us, but also from new prospects who were impressed by our initiative. With Up2You, we managed to combine the useful with the enjoyable in a very short time."
Alex Gentili, CHO and Co-founder of WebinWord
These are just some of the innovative startups that have decided to embark on a path of environmental sustainability with us; some exclusively for ethical reasons, others also for economic reasons. What is certain is that today an innovative startup, in order to be credible and above all competitive, needs to integrate within its business model or corporate values concrete actions in favor of sustainability.
Are you an innovative startup and want to find out how to invest in sustainability? Click the button below to learn how we can help you reduce your company's emissions.
