Investor asks for ESG data. Now what?
Sustainability reporting is no longer optional for startups. Track your ESG metrics and respond to any request — without hiring a sustainability team.
Free tracking forever. Or start with our free VSME readiness assessment
The ask is coming. Be ready.
Your Series A investor wants to see your ESG data. An enterprise customer sends a sustainability questionnaire as part of procurement. A key hire asks about your environmental policy.
You don't have a sustainability team. You don't have a CSR report. And you're not sure what VSME, CSRD, or Scope 2 even mean.
97% of global executives believe sustainability reporting gives SMEs a competitive advantage. 75% of small businesses say sustainability is extremely important to their operations.
This isn't about being green. It's about being investable, winning enterprise deals, and retaining talent.
The VSME standard: built for businesses like yours
The EU's Voluntary SME Standard gives startups a clear, manageable framework — 11 disclosures that cover everything investors and customers ask for.
B1-B2
General Disclosures
Company information, sustainability policies, and transition plans. The foundation of your report.
B3-B7
Environmental Metrics
Energy consumption, GHG emissions, pollution, biodiversity, water usage, waste management, and circular economy practices.
B8-B10
Social Metrics
Workforce characteristics, health and safety records, gender pay gap, and training hours — the data that proves you invest in people.
B11
Governance
Anti-corruption and bribery compliance. Demonstrates ethical management — a core component of investor trust.
One system. Any ESG request.
Whether it's an investor, a customer, or a platform — respond with confidence.
Respond in Minutes
ESG Passport · Web App
- →Upload your investor's or customer's questionnaire — Excel, CSV, PDF, or Word
- →Get answers generated from 200+ templates matched to your data
- →Pre-loaded templates for EcoVadis, CDP, and CSRD/VSME
- →Edit, refine, and export — send your response the same day
Track Year-Round
ESG Passport · Build the system once
- →Enter data once — energy, water, waste, emissions, workforce
- →VSME-aligned tracking covers all 11 basic disclosures
- →Policy templates, platform guides, email templates included
- →When the next due diligence request arrives, your data is ready
The competitive advantage you can't ignore
42%
of small businesses saw improved customer relations from sustainability practices
38%
experienced direct cost savings from tracking and optimizing ESG metrics
30%
saw improved brand reputation — a key differentiator in competitive markets
Source: DHL and Irish Government SME sustainability research
Built for founders, not sustainability consultants
Perfect for you if:
- →You're a seed to Series B startup facing ESG requests
- →Investors are asking about your sustainability data
- →Enterprise customers require sustainability questionnaires
- →You want to get ahead of VSME requirements before they become mandatory
- →You need practical tools, not expensive consultants
Not the right fit if:
- —You already have a sustainability team and enterprise ESG software
- —You need third-party verification or certified audits
- —You have no investors, customers, or regulators asking for ESG data
Start with free tools
Calculate your environmental metrics and check your VSME readiness — no account needed.
Learn the fundamentals
Practical guides written for founders, not compliance officers.
What Investors Actually Ask For
ESG due diligence expectations at each funding stage — from pre-seed to Series B+.
The 11 VSME Disclosures Explained
A plain-language walkthrough of B1-B11 — what each disclosure asks for and where to find the data.
Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage
How ESG reporting helps startups win enterprise deals, attract investors, and retain talent.
Double Materiality for SMEs
Impact materiality vs financial materiality — a practical guide with real examples.
Set Up ESG Tracking in 20 Minutes
Step-by-step guide to getting your sustainability data organized — starting today.
All Guides →Choose your path
Start free, or get the tools to respond with confidence.
ESG Passport Free
Track ESG data year-round. Auto-calculated emissions, CSV import, VSME-aligned metrics. Free forever.
Start FreeESG Passport Pro
Early AccessLock in this price for life
Upload questionnaires, get answers from a rules-based logic engine with 200+ templates. Multi-language export. Everything in Free plus the response generator.
Upgrade to ProPassport Teams
Everything in Pro for your whole team. Shared data, centralized reporting, dedicated onboarding.
Contact UsQuestions
What is the VSME standard?
The VSME (Voluntary SME Standard) is the EU's framework for sustainability reporting by small and medium-sized enterprises. It's based on the CSRD's double materiality principle and provides 11 basic disclosures covering environmental, social, and governance metrics.
Do startups need to comply with VSME?
Currently, VSME is voluntary for non-listed SMEs. However, investors, banks, and enterprise customers increasingly request this data. Having it ready is a competitive advantage, not just a compliance exercise.
How does the response generator work?
Our rules-based logic engine uses 55+ matching patterns to identify what each question asks, then matches against 200+ professionally written templates filled with your tracked data. Deterministic rules that produce consistent, auditable answers.
What if I don't have any ESG data yet?
That's exactly who this is for. Start with our free VSME readiness assessment to see where you stand. Both products show you what to collect and where to find it — utility bills, HR records, and operational data you already have.
How long does it take to set up?
About 20 minutes for initial setup. Then 15-30 minutes per month to keep your data current. When an ESG request comes in, you can respond in minutes instead of days.
The next funding round will ask about ESG
Start tracking your ESG data for free. When the investor or customer asks, you'll be ready.