According to data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires an estimated $5 to $7 trillion in annual investments across all sectors. However, developing countries alone face a $2.5 trillion annual financing gap in SDG investments. While every individual and organization holds responsibility for creating a more sustainable future, the startup ecosystem is also taking steps to align with global sustainability efforts.
As a digital acceleration platform that helps startups commercialize and connect with investors, in4startups has officially launched its Sustainability Manifesto. Co-founded by Ahmet Sefa Bir and Şerafettin Özsoy in 2022, in4startups has also developed an impact assessment tool to measure the sustainability performance of startups.
A Manifesto Aligned with the UN’s Sustainability Framework
in4startups Co-Founders Ahmet Sefa Bir and Şerafettin Özsoy emphasized the startup ecosystem’s critical role in creating a sustainable future, stating:
“To contribute to the SDGs, we have officially published our commitments under the ‘in4startups Sustainability Manifesto’.”
The manifesto, structured around the United Nations’ SDG framework, consists of 14 key commitments, outlining the sustainability principles that in4startups follows and encourages its partner startups to adopt.
Impact Assessment for Startups
Having collaborated with hundreds of startups, in4startups first applied its impact assessment tool internally to evaluate its own alignment with the SDGs. Now, startups using this tool can:
- Identify which of the 17 UN SDGs their operations align with
- Measure their environmental, economic, and social impact in quantifiable percentages
- Visualize and report their sustainability performance in compliance with the SDGs
“Entrepreneurship Shapes the Future of the World”
Highlighting the transformative power of entrepreneurship, in4startups Co-Founders shared:
“Through our acceleration programs, we facilitate startup commercialization and investment matchmaking—playing a key role in making our country and the world a more livable place. Entrepreneurship is not just a business activity; it is a powerful force that drives innovation, shapes economies, and influences global progress. That’s why we believe that our initiatives, products, and services contribute to the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and, ultimately, to a more sustainable world.
“We are committed to building a sustainable future for both our country and the global community. With this in mind, we are proud to share our Sustainability Manifesto, ensuring that our activities align with the UN’s Global Development Goals and actively contribute to them.”
in4startups Sustainability Manifesto
Motto: “Sustainable Entrepreneurship for a More Livable World”
- We recognize the UN’s Global Development Goals as the foundational framework for our sustainability efforts.
- We share our expertise in entrepreneurship through both digital and physical platforms, ensuring access to knowledge for all stakeholders.
- We encourage startups to align their operations with the SDGs and enhance their impact.
- We develop and continuously improve digital assessment tools to evaluate startups’ alignment with the SDGs and track their progress.
- We prioritize collaborations with individuals, institutions, and organizations that support the UN’s Global Development Goals.
- We ensure transparency in our sustainability efforts, publishing an annual sustainability report to communicate our impact. We also encourage our partner startups to report on their sustainability initiatives.
- We prioritize sustainable startups in our acceleration programs, offering them enhanced access to our services and support.
- We commit to being a responsible producer and consumer by maximizing local resource contributions in every country we operate. We also encourage our partner startups to adopt responsible consumption and production practices.
- We promote sustainability across our value chain, including our employees, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- We support intrapreneurship by encouraging our employees to explore their entrepreneurial potential and providing both financial and strategic support.
- We view science and technology as the key drivers of sustainability, emphasizing the development of deep-tech entrepreneurship.
- We see our customers as partners in sustainability, encouraging them to contribute to the SDGs through our products and services.
- We believe in the power of scientific knowledge, collective wisdom, and entrepreneurial culture to overcome global economic, environmental, and political challenges.
- We consider our manifesto a living document, continuously evolving based on feedback from our stakeholders to maximize impact.
With this Sustainability Manifesto, in4startups reinforces its commitment to sustainable entrepreneurship, ensuring that startups, investors, and business leaders take a proactive role in shaping a better future. By aligning with the UN SDGs, leveraging technology for impact measurement, and fostering responsible business practices, in4startups is leading the way in building a sustainable startup ecosystem.
