More and more start-ups are concerned about corporate social responsibility (RSO) from their creation. During a workshop organized at the Produrable show, and hosted by Yveline Pouillot, responsible for RSO within Walter France, three start-up founders explained their approach and the actions they implemented.
Start-ups are companies that, most of the time, have developed original working methods, disruptive, with a lot of research and development. Those who already work in the world of sustainable development might tend to think that by their very purpose, they are already, in itself, « RSO ». However, an RSO approach encompasses actions that go well beyond the company's activity.. Bernice Kobozo is founder of HairArboree, which offers seasonal solid shampoos to consumers with textured hair by adapting to the climatic environment and the type of curls. The very idea of his company is to reduce the environmental impact of its products., not only at the level of the developed formulas, by selecting ingredients of natural origin, but also by reducing water consumption, and including consumers in the process. Pierre Le Blainvaux has created several start-ups, dont Neofarm, which produces organic fruits and vegetables near cities, thanks to a model of agroecological and technological micro-farms, which, in addition, improves the soil from year to year. The objective : obtain viable facilities, each “neo-farm” feeding 1,000 people per year. In terms of RSO, the founders worked for example on arduousness. These farms are not fully robotic, but partial automation makes it possible to reduce the arduousness. otherwise, while a “classic” market gardener only earns 14,000 euros per year, wages on these farms are higher, and jobs are sustainable (three full-time equivalents per farm) and valued.
Diversity and gender equality
Caroline Ponton is responsible for human resources at Cryo Pur, a company specializing in the renewable energy sector which transforms biogas from organic waste into fuel for road transport and urban mobility, thanks to globally patented technology. Many foreign chemistry students are recruited : these are young profiles who have just finished their course in France, and who choose Cryo Pur because they find a different vision and a meaningful project there. They gain access to important responsibilities very quickly, much faster than in a large group, and appreciate the multiplicity of missions. Nowadays, the company has 30% foreigners and the managers want to preserve and encourage this diversity. Gender equality is also an important RSO focus, especially in an industrial environment that is traditionally quite masculine. In 2021, six women were recruited into technical positions of responsibility. The company also seeks to implement actions that will bring well-being and balance to its employees., among other things by allowing flexibility of hours and teleworking. Currently, Caroline Ponton sets up an integration seminar to further promote links between teams. Pierre Le Blainvaux, on the other hand, implements actions to raise awareness of environmental issues, promotes sustainable mobility packages, and establishes a permanent dialogue on developments at Neofarm : do they remain consistent in terms of environmental impact, including for future generations ?
A balance to be found between RSO and budgetary constraints
In the case of HairArboree, the very concept of the company is to offer products with as much naturalness as possible. But ingredients of natural origin cost more. This strategic choice can be an economic burden for the company which has just started. It is obvious that implementing an RSO approach is not always a priority when starting a business.. Pierre Le Blainvaux would like to implement social improvements in the start-ups he creates within Technofounders, but he specifies : “We raised money that is not ours. Developing our products and achieving financial balance come before additional social benefits or a more friendly organization of work.. » Caroline Ponton goes in the same direction. According to her, costs are a barrier, as well as lack of time and lack of staff. For Yveline Pouillot, it is increasingly vital for start-ups, as with all businesses, to implement an RSO approach. She notes that “RSO, it is above all a state of mind, a behavior that must apply to the entire organization and its processes”. Some major clients are now asking their suppliers to demonstrate their involvement. Some insurers and certain bankers are starting to lower rates for their corporate clients who enter into an RSO approach, provided, however, that they are labeled. And finally, in calls for tender, RSO criteria are increasingly taken into account in the overall score.
