The Responsible
Unicorn
Building resilient and sustainable start-ups
A plug-in program
for company-building initiatives
The Approach
To integrate sustainability into its strategy, your start-up will go through three key phases:
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Awareness – Understanding sustainability challenges & opportunities in your industry
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Activation – Identifying business model improvements & impact potential
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Implementation – Taking action across the three ESG dimensions:
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Environmental: Reducing your carbon footprint and resource consumption
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Social: Building a responsible, diverse, and engaged company culture
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Governance: Ensuring ethical leadership and long-term resilience
This structured approach ensures sustainability is embedded, not just added on. In less than a week you'll have a clear understanding of where your start-up stands and where it can go.
Why Sustainability Matters from Day One
Sustainability is more than just an ethical choice
— it’s a business advantage.
#Build future-ready business models and adapt to evolving market demands and regulatory landscapes.
#Reduce risks and operational costs through sustainable practices and process efficiency.
#Attract investors, talent & customers who value responsibility with a strong sense of commitment.
#Develop critical skills to navigate tomorrow’s challenges such as resource scarcity, climate change and shifting consumer expectations.
Future-proofing your start-up means embedding sustainability into your DNA from the start.
The Risks of Neglecting Sustainability
Without sustainability in your business strategy, you may face:
#Limited funding opportunities – 85% of investors now consider ESG* factors in decision-making (PwC, 2023).
#Higher operational costs – Inefficient resource use and rising energy prices impact profitability (Deutschland Startet, 2024).
#Loss of trust from customers & employees
– Consumers and top talent expect responsible business practices (Harvard Business School, 2022).
Benefits for Start-ups
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Stronger positioning – Sustainability differentiates you from competitors
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Easier access to funding – Investors prioritize ESG-aligned startups
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A motivated & purpose-driven team – Attract and retain top talent
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Enhanced brand reputation – Trust & credibility with customers and partners
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Greater efficiency & cost savings – Optimized resources & lower operational expenses
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Regulatory compliance – Future-proof against upcoming legal requirements
Beyond the Check:
Next Steps
Sustainability is not a one-time decision — it’s a process. After the initial check, start-ups can:
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#Implement targeted changes in products, services, or operations with ESG principle
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#Align business goals and your communication
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#Develop a company culture that prioritizes sustainability
It is recommended that your start-up receives ongoing support through coaching, mentoring and strategic guidance. This can also be done by the organizer.
Incubator & Accelerator Program Integration
The Responsible Unicorn program is designed to seamlessly integrate into existing start-up support structures.
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Flexible scheduling – 3 half-day (4-hour) sessions, adaptable to your timeline. Recommended time frame is within 1-2 weeks. It's a process anyways, so to kick-off early maximizes the impact.
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Customizable approach – Tailored to fit your start-up cohort’s needs. Sector-specific customization, maturity of the start-ups, thematic focus and/or involvement of experts & mentors.
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Flexible pricing – Designed to be accessible to your scope and format.
Let’s build businesses for the long run – beyond seed phases and market disruptions!
About the organizer
The Responsible Unicorn concept was developed by Jan Störkel as part of a study project at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE). Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Strategic Sustainability Management, Jan benefits from the university's strong focus on practical approaches to addressing real-world corporate sustainability challenges.
As a co-founder of Circolution GmbH (2020–2021) at the Soulincubator in Berlin, Jan has firsthand experience with the challenges that early-stage startups face. With years of experience in facilitating workshops and training moderators in corporate environments, he brings a deep understanding of the various perspectives on sustainability in business. His independent training and execution of assessments in circular economy further enhance his expertise in what sustainable businesses need to succeed.
Originally trained as a Diploma Communication Designer, Jan has worked as a freelancer for the past eight years, combining strategic thinking with creative problem-solving to support businesses in their sustainable transformation.
Die HNEE
wurde
ausgezeichnet.
Arrange a non-binding initial consultation
"The Responsible Unicorn" can be adapted
to any start-up support program.
An initial consultation is non-binding
and free of charge.
I look forward to hearing from you!
+49 (0) 176 965 120 75
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