Investor asks for ESG data. Now what?
Sustainability reporting is no longer optional for startups. Track your ESG metrics and draft responses to common requests without hiring a sustainability team.
Not holding a questionnaire yet? Begin 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 · Upload & Respond
- →Upload your investor's or customer's questionnaire — Excel (.xlsx or .xls), CSV, PDF, or Word (.docx)
- →Get answers generated from 70+ 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 Check
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.
The Two Policies Every Startup Needs
Environmental policy and code of conduct, with copy-paste templates — the documents investors ask for first.
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
Explore free, complete one real request, or build a reusable response system.
Free
Upload your real questionnaire and supporting records. See what it asks, what your evidence can answer, what is missing, and which documents would close the gaps. See up to 5 drafted answers free; the rest and export are paid.
Check my questionnaire freeQuestionnaire Pass
For one investor or customer request due now.
Get one customer questionnaire off your desk. Draft answers from your own records, review them, and export in the format the buyer expects. Credited in full if you upgrade to the Passport later.
Complete this questionnaireESG Passport
For repeated investor and customer requests.
Never start from scratch again. Finish every questionnaire that arrives, keep approved answers for reuse, build nine guided policies, and create a standalone ESG report.
Buy ESG PassportQuestions
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.
Why is this so affordable compared to ESG platforms?
ESG Passport is local-first and has no per-user pricing. The engine uses deterministic rules and 70+ templates by default. Your ESG workspace is stored locally in your browser, with optional AI enhancement only when you enable it with your own API key. The app checks for updates automatically as the product evolves.
The next funding round will ask about ESG
If the request is already in your inbox, turn your existing records into a solid draft to review and export.