Founding a green business? Consider these unique challenges

Today’s generation of entrepreneurs has more in mind than simply making a profit. They want to shake up the market while protecting the global environment. In the past decade, sustainable businesses have boomed, demonstrating that startups and environmentalism can not only coexist but also complement each other.

However, “green” business is not without its share of difficulties. The successful formation and operation of an environmentally conscious enterprise is fraught with unique considerations for entrepreneurs.

Three considerations for green startups

Though every startup has its own goals and requirements, they often encounter the same challenges. Some of the most common problems that afflict sustainable startups include:

• Startup costs: Entrepreneurs may find that the startup costs for an environmentally conscious startup exceed those of a standard startup. Green technology, for example, tends to be more expensive since it is not always mass-produced. Many find that they need a higher initial investment than they expected.
• Cost-benefit analysis: Though weighing costs versus benefits is critical for any endeavor, it can make or break the success of a green business. A detailed analysis will be of the utmost importance when deciding whether the expense of sustainable initiatives outweighs the potential benefit.
• Intellectual property infringement: With thousands of entrepreneurs around the world developing green inventions, remaining abreast of intellectual property developments is fundamental. Inventors need to know whether the project they are working on has already been patented. They must also watch for infringement on their intellectual property.

Fortunately, none of these obstacles is insurmountable.

Sustainability can be its own reward

The determined businessperson can combine ingenuity, skill and passion for the environment to form a thriving, earth-friendly business entity. Along with mitigating and reversing damage to the environment, green companies serve another important purpose. They set examples for other individuals and entities striving to minimize their impact on the planet. Despite the initial challenges, the reward of sustainability is a goal worthy of any business.