Are Sustainable Start-ups Financially Sustainable?

Abstract

In India, an emerging generation of so-called sustainable startups is attempting to demonstrate that it is possible to solve environmental issues and still have a successful business. However, the question looming over their heads is whether the companies are sustainable at all, or is their green image a brilliant move to attract investors and eco-friendly shoppers? This study examines the ways these companies strike a balance between people and the planet and their profitability. It tells about a situation that is commonly going on whereby it would be very hard to make it through the initial years because the startup cost is high and no easy funds would be available. Using the examples of other business models, which include recycling the waste material into other products or even coming up with a technology that is not polluting to the environment, the report arrives at the conclusion that a company should have a unique hard-to-replicate product in order to be really sustainable. This can be used in the end as a guide to assist people to distinguish a business that is actually making a real difference and those that are just applying the green marketing so that they can appear good.