How Green Credentials Are Helping Hive19 Grow Their Startup in 2023
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impact of human activity on the environment, companies in Brighton and throughout the UK are taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint.
One such business is Hive19, a SaaS and Fintech link building agency founded during the Covid-19 upheaval that’s helping brands reach their marketing goals and enjoy greater organic visibility online through link building and digital PR.
Here’s a closer look at how this plucky agency is using its green credentials to help it grow in 2023.
Green Partnerships
Though partnerships with large environmental projects are often associated with huge, multinational corporations, Hive19 has also proven that being a part of local sustainability initiatives is well within reach of smaller firms.
One of the ways that Hive19 has been developing their green credentials is by joining Ecologi, a corporate sustainability program that helps businesses offset carbon emissions through tree planting, restoring degraded land, and other environmental projects.
By joining Ecologi, Hive19 is reducing its environmental impact for a brighter global future, while also taking concrete steps to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability to its customers and new hires.
In addition to joining Ecologi, Hive19 has also partnered with London-Based conservation non-profit Green the UK, with a plan to £1,600 to plant 10,000 square metres of wildflowers in meadows around Britain, with the ultimate goal of maintaining healthier, more hospitable living conditions for local wildlife and pollinators.
Like many Sussex-based businesses that make sustainability a core part of its business philosophy, Hive19 has been able to develop closer ties to its local community, and create positive, measurable changes that are demonstrable to increasingly eco-conscious (and eco-fatigued!) consumers.
Using Green Credentials to Grow Your Startup
Everyone wants to reduce their impact on the environment, whether as a consumer or an entrepreneur. Developing green credentials can be a powerful tool for growing startups looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.
Though a cynical or tokenistic approach to sustainability (“greenwashing”) will only alienate your target market, companies that make serious commitments to their environmental values can use them to their advantage in a positive and organic manner.
Here’s some of the ways that developing your green credentials can help grow your startup…
It Allows You to Sell at Higher Price Points
Consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for sustainable products, providing a valuable opportunity for businesses to stand out in a crowded market. A recent study cited by Sustainable Brands found that 66% of US adults are willing to pay more for sustainable products.
This trend is particularly relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as people around the world are looking for ways to make more sustainable and responsible choices.
It Develops Trust with Your Audience
Another major benefit of incorporating sustainable practices and materials into your business is that it can help build trust with your customers.
As everyone grows increasingly aware of the impact of climate change, we’re looking for brands that align with our values and take sustainability seriously. By investing in eco-friendly practices and partnerships, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and build a sense of trust with your customers.
It Keeps You In-Line with Government Regulations
In addition to building trust with customers, investing in sustainable practices can also help you stay ahead of regulatory compliance.
Governments around the world are ramping up regulations to mandate compliance with environmental goals such as the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 drive, and businesses of all sizes will need to ensure compliance with these rapidly developing policies.
By taking a proactive approach to sustainability, you can prepare your business for future regulations and gain a competitive advantage over other businesses who may be scrambling to meet these requirements.
Simple Ways to Improve Your Green Credentials
Making your business greener is a big ask, especially if it exists in an environment that’s overly taxing on the environment. However, there are a variety of simple ways that even the smallest of ventures can develop their green credentials. Here are a few to consider at your company…
Enforce a “Lights Out” Policy at Your Office: To reduce your business's energy consumption (and bill!), consider enacting more direct policies about turning off lights shutting down computers, not leaving equipment on standby, etc. Everyone’s guilty of using electronics inefficiently in some way, and laying out an explicit set of rules can be a big help.
Review Your Appliances and Fixtures: Invest in energy-efficient lighting, modern hand dryers, water-saving bathroom fixtures and anything else that might be creating an unnecessary drain on your resources. This is another great way to be kind to both the environment and your budget.
Help Employees Travel Greener: Many startups operate in a totally work-from-home model out of necessity, but if you do have a physical premises, try to encourage green commuting by setting up a bike-to-work or carpooling scheme.
Separate your Trash: Though most people today are pretty good with making sure their recycling gets to the right place, providing a reminder in the form of a more formalised recycling program can go a long way in managing your business’s carbon footprint.
Be Open to New Ideas: Like with many things in growing a startup, some of the best ideas are going to come from your employees. By publicly opening your drive for sustainability to new ideas, you’ll be able to think outside of the usual methods, and remind your workers that their input to new business initiatives is always appreciated. Get staff on board and involved by providing resources, publishing results, and offering incentives for energy-conscious behaviour.
Final Thoughts…
Overall, building green credentials can provide a range of benefits for growing startups.
By appealing to customers who are looking for sustainable products and services, building trust with customers and partners, reducing costs, and staying ahead of regulatory compliance, businesses like yours can position themselves for long-term success in a rapidly evolving market.
To find out more about Hive19 and how they’re giving back to the world we live in, check out their blog here, or read some of our other posts to find out about other exciting developments in Brighton’s thriving business arena.