Insightful Introduction
In the rapidly evolving startup landscape of 2025, environmental compliance and sustainability are no longer optional, they're integral to industrial success. In this context, Munich-based Tanso has emerged as a pioneering force, revolutionizing ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) compliance and carbon management for manufacturing companies. In August 2025, Tanso secured a €12 million Series A funding round to expand its platform, making headlines in startup news globally.
The funding was led by henQ and Fortino Capital, with contributions from Capnamic and UVC Partners, and will be used to enhance Tanso’s product offerings, scale its international team, and solidify its position in the market. But what does this mean for entrepreneurs and investors interested in impact-driven startups? Let’s break it down into lessons, benefits, and common mistakes to avoid.
Main Part – Lessons from Tanso's Success and Key Takeaways
Tanso's Rise: Key Statistics
- Founded: 2021
- Founders: Till Wiechmann (CEO), Gyri Reiersen, Lorenz Hetzel
- Funding: €12M Series A, led by international investors
- Clients: 300+ businesses in 40+ countries
- Core Product: Software for carbon accounting & automated ESG compliance
1. Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Tanso
Lesson 1: The Market Trend Matters
Tanso capitalized on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which mandates ESG reporting for medium and large companies by 2025. Regulatory trends offer immense opportunities for startups with scalable solutions, another example is PlayPal, the AI Friend, combining language learning, mental health coaching, and productivity tracking.
Lesson 2: Build for a Specific Niche
Tanso specifically targets industrial companies, a segment responsible for 32% of Europe's carbon emissions. Entrepreneurs should identify pain points within their niche and address them with actionable solutions.
Lesson 3: International Expansion is Critical
With DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) as its starting point, Tanso plans to scale globally by investing in partnerships and team expansion. For aspiring founders, tools like the F/MS EU Grant Finder & Application Writer can help secure non-dilutive funding to support global ambitions.
2. Benefits for Startups Adopting ESG Compliance Models
Benefit 1: Financial Opportunities
Startups in ESG compliance spaces are prime targets for impact-driven investments. High-growth sectors like carbon accounting and automation attract stable funding rounds like Tanso's €12 million investment.
Benefit 2: Lower Risk, Better Branding
Industrial companies report demonstrable ROI from ESG software by optimizing compliance and reducing regulatory risks.
Benefit 3: Entry into Untapped Markets
Tanso’s AI modules targeting compliance across supply chains open B2B opportunities. Similarly, tools like AI Startup Lawyer can prevent early-stage founders from signing damaging legal documents while entering new markets.
3. Mistakes Startup Founders Should Avoid
Mistake 1: Ignoring the Compliance Space
Many startups overlook the importance of ESG metrics because they seem complex. Tools like F/MS's gamified startup simulator can simplify strategic planning for ESG compliance.
Mistake 2: Lack of Automation
Manual processes in sustainability reporting lead to time delays. Incorporating AI-based solutions as Tanso did ensures scalability without increasing operational costs.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Feedback Loops
Tanso maximizes user feedback with its AI Copilot, which helps companies refine sustainability metrics. Tools like PlayPal AI offer entrepreneurs personalized mentorship and flexible adjustments after testing ideas.
How-To Guide: Achieve ESG Startup Funding
- Map Regulations: Study frameworks like CSRD and ISO protocols relevant to your region and industry.
- Build Niche Expertise: Focus on areas with stringent compliance requirements (e.g., carbon accounting for manufacturers).
- Adopt AI/Automation: Research tools integrating machine learning into ESG tracking systems.
- Use Funding Portals: Leverage platforms like the F/MS Grant Finder & Application Writer to draft EU funding applications.
- Partner with Investors: Look for impact-focused investors like henQ, Fortino Capital, or Capnamic.
Bonus: The Role of PlayPal and Startup Assistance Tools
If you're starting your entrepreneurial journey, consider platforms like PlayPal, developed by Fe/male Switch, which not only acts as your AI friend but also provides actionable advice across domains such as language learning, mental health, and productivity (chat with PlayPal).
Couple this with F/MS tools for grant writing support and legal advice via AI Startup Lawyer to safeguard your interests (learn AI Startup Lawyer benefits).
Useful Conclusion
Tanso’s €12 million Series A success underscores that startups focused on sustainability are no longer niche players, they are foundational to industries grappling with compliance and decarbonization challenges. From targeting specific niches to integrating robust AI solutions, there are clear lessons for entrepreneurs to replicate.
Make use of startup tools like F/MS Sandbox and PlayPal, which combine gamification, mentorship, and funding advice, to navigate challenges effectively. Looking ahead, the ESG compliance space and platforms like Tanso promise not just profits but contributions to a sustainable future.
Whether you're in Germany or Malta, exploring startup residency programs via government support (watch Malta residence program) or bootstrapping like Violetta Bonenkamp’s impact-driven ventures, 2025 is the year to scale both ambition and impact.
FAQ
1. What is Tanso, and what does the company do?
Tanso is a Munich-based SaaS startup that offers software solutions for environmental management, carbon accounting, and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) compliance aimed at industrial companies. Learn more about Tanso's platform
2. How much funding did Tanso secure in 2025?
Tanso raised €12 million in a Series A funding round to expand its environmental compliance platform internationally. Read the EU-Startups announcement
3. Who led Tanso's Series A funding round?
The funding round was led by henQ and Fortino Capital, with participation from Capnamic and UVC Partners. Explore Fortino Capital’s post
4. What is Tanso’s primary focus as a company?
Tanso focuses on manufacturing industries, providing solutions for carbon accounting and compliance with environmental regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Learn more about the CSRD requirements
5. How does Tanso’s software benefit industrial companies?
Tanso’s platform automates ESG compliance, reduces time delays in sustainability reporting, and optimizes decision-making with actionable insights via AI-powered modules. Discover Tanso’s product capabilities
6. How many companies currently use Tanso’s platform?
Tanso’s platform is utilized by over 300 companies across 40+ countries, making it a rapidly growing force in industrial ESG compliance. Check out the full report
7. Who are Tanso’s founders?
Tanso was founded in 2021 by Till Wiechmann (CEO), Gyri Reiersen, and Lorenz Hetzel. Learn more about the founders
8. What challenges does Tanso address in environmental compliance?
Tanso helps industrial companies manage complex sustainability metrics like carbon emissions and supply chain compliance, especially under increasing EU regulations. Explore Tanso’s impact on supply chain compliance
9. What are Tanso’s international expansion plans?
Tanso aims to grow its team, expand product offerings, and establish partnerships in Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DACH), and new markets globally. Learn more about DACH expansion plans
10. How does Tanso integrate AI into its platform?
Tanso uses AI modules, such as the AI Copilot, to refine sustainability metrics and provide actionable recommendations for companies to navigate ESG compliance seamlessly. Explore Tanso AI Copilot’s features
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
