Sustainability
Integrating Impact into Business Growth
At CO-AX Accelerator, we believe sustainability is more than a buzzword—it's a strategic tool. The impact of your innovation, both positive and negative, is at the heart of building a sustainable business. From early-stage ideas to scaling, embedding sustainability helps sharpen your strategy, strengthens your communication, and attracts the resources and partnerships needed to thrive.
Just like our structured approach to Compliance and Regulatory, we guide startups through a four-stage sustainability journey: Orientate, Structure, Execute, and Grow.
“Integrating sustainability from the beginning gives founders a clearer sense of purpose—and a competitive advantage. It’s not just about doing good. It’s about building companies that last.”— Stefan Book, Business Advisor, CO-AX Accelerator
1. Orientate
Every journey starts with understanding. This phase begins with an idea or identified problem and ends with a decision to invest time and resources.
Key questions:
What are the needs, requirements, and aspirations of our stakeholders?
How do these align with broader societal challenges?
How should we prioritize our resources to reflect these needs and our current position?
What steps can we take now to build trust and create a foundation for long-term sustainable growth?
2. Structure
Now that the direction is clear, it’s time to build a framework that can guide decision-making.
Key questions:
Which indicators will we use to track sustainable development?
What governance structures do we need to ensure accountability and effectiveness?
Which societal impacts are most critical—and how will they shape our growth?
3. Execute
With structure in place, the focus shifts to action. This phase is about implementation—translating plans into tangible results. Agility, learning, and feedback are essential as your startup responds to evolving needs and new opportunities.
4. Grow
Sustainability is not a one-time effort. This phase is about continuous improvement—applying insights, evaluating impact, and adapting. As your business matures, so does your sustainability strategy, with elements from all stages reinforcing long-term value.
Resources for Startups
Explore key tools and frameworks that support sustainability in early-stage businesses:
