logo
Entrepreneur UK's London 100: GaiaLens

Entrepreneur UK's London 100: GaiaLens

Entrepreneur2 days ago

GaiaLens is an AI-powered Sustainability Analytics Platform for institutional investors and financial services firms
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
Industry: Sustainability
GaiaLens is an AI-powered Sustainability Analytics Platform for institutional investors and financial services firms.
Co-founded in 2021 by Gordon Tveito-Duncan (CEO) and Seb Kirk (Chief Operating Officer), the idea for GaiaLens was developed whilst co-founders were at City University, London, emerging as an effective, transparent and easy-to-use solution for asset managers.
GaiaLens is led by a group of finance professionals, technologists, and academics who firmly believe that economic value creation can and should be combined with environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and sound governance.
Acknowledging the frustrations of asset managers using other ESG rating platforms such as MSCI and Sustainalytics, where methodologies were often opaque, GaiaLens' innovative platform offered a suite of tools to help investors fulfil their ESG needs, including sustainability reporting, investment screening, and deep-dive research capabilities.
GaiaLens has experienced significant growth over the past 12 months, having recently been named as an innovator transforming sustainability in finance in the ESGFinTech100 for the third year in a row.
GaiaLens was also awarded funding from Fintech Scotland, which will fund the development of its Greenwashing Analytics solution, designed to help investors evaluate the greenwashing risk of funds and companies.
Challenging the traditional 'one size fits all' approach to ESG reporting, GaiaLens has also developed a unique 'on-demand' reporting solution that provides ESG analysts instant access to its sophisticated AI-powered reporting system.
It acts as a digital ESG analyst that can support investors throughout the ESG investment lifecycle and has saved them significant time.
Sustainability Frameworks is the first module to be released by the technology team at GaiaLens, giving analysts access to the latest, highest quality ESG data available and generating SFDR, TCFD, EU Taxonomy and UN SDGs reports (and more) for portfolios/funds in a matter of seconds.
Three further products, namely a GenAI-powered PDF Chatbot, a Greenwashing Risk Assessment tool and a Customisable Reporting tool, will expand the sustainability analytics platform further in the first half of 2025.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why Energy Projects Fail—and How to Get Them Right
Why Energy Projects Fail—and How to Get Them Right

Forbes

time2 hours ago

  • Forbes

Why Energy Projects Fail—and How to Get Them Right

Senior leaders are under increasing pressure to go green. ESG goals are now tied to investor confidence, brand reputation, and even talent attraction. Yet despite the influx of corporate pledges, a significant number of sustainability projects either stall or fail outright. Why? It's rarely a lack of ambition. More often, the breakdown happens in execution—where the people funding, building, and operating these systems aren't aligned, and the promised results never materialize. How can entrepreneurs effectively identify, engage, and recruit high-caliber individuals who aren't actively job hunting? It starts with recognizing that traditional pipelines don't reach these candidates—and neither do generic outreach messages or vague promises of "impact." To win the attention of high-level talent, founders must learn to think like headhunters: zeroing in on logic-based career progression, delivering personalized value, and crafting opportunities that align with both professional aspirations and life priorities. Most sustainability efforts don't fail because of a lack of will—they fail because the people funding, designing, and operating them aren't aligned. When sustainability is siloed from core business units like finance or operations, it becomes a disconnected initiative rather than a strategic driver. Without shared accountability and cross-functional buy-in, even well-intentioned projects stall or lose momentum. Real progress starts when sustainability goals are embedded across governance, metrics, and decision-making frameworks—not just tacked on as an afterthought. One of the biggest hurdles to effective energy transformation is the complexity of aligning technical upgrades, financing, and long-term performance tracking. That's why more organizations are turning to Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) models like ENFRA's, which bundle engineering, capital, and measurement into a single, performance-backed solution. As David Krauss, EVP at ENFRA, explains, "We capitalize the improvements, guarantee performance, and stay involved for the long haul. With our model, customers don't have to shoulder the entire risk—or hope savings projections hold up years later." ENFRA's use of daily savings reports, machine learning fault detection, and ongoing co-management with facility staff helps ensure results don't just appear after installation—they persist and improve over time. This approach has helped clients like Midland Health realize over 120% of their guaranteed savings, with no debt added to their balance sheet. Too many sustainability efforts focus on individual products or technologies without considering their full lifecycle impact. This fragmented thinking leads to short-term wins that often shift risk elsewhere in the system—socially, environmentally, or financially. Real sustainability demands a systems-level mindset: one that rewards long-term outcomes over isolated metrics. Instead of treating sustainability as a checklist or compliance task, organizations must rethink it as a strategy for balance—across climate, communities, and capital. That shift begins by replacing reactive fixes with outcome-driven partnerships built for resilience and scale. In a climate-conscious business environment, sustainability isn't optional—but neither is failure. Leaders must ask not just what they're doing, but how and with whom they're doing it. Energy-as-a-Service offers a viable path forward: one that balances financial certainty, environmental responsibility, and operational ease. It's time for a new approach—because doing sustainability differently is the only way to finally do it right.

How To Become A Chief Sustainability Officer In 5 Steps
How To Become A Chief Sustainability Officer In 5 Steps

Forbes

time2 hours ago

  • Forbes

How To Become A Chief Sustainability Officer In 5 Steps

The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is more than just an executive title. It's a role that shapes the future. As businesses adapt to climate risks, regulatory changes and rising expectations from investors and customers, when you investigate how to become a Chief Sustainability Officer, remember that it has become one of the most crucial positions in the C-suite. Whether you're considering a transition into sustainability leadership or simply want to understand what the role of Chief Sustainability Officer entails, here's what you need to know. A Chief Sustainability Officer drives the strategy and execution of a company's environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. This is not about checking the box, it's about embedding sustainability into the heart of business decision-making. The responsibilities of a CSO include: Sustainability leaders work with departments such as finance, marketing and legal to drive results that matter. This leader is part diplomat, part strategist and part translator. You become a Chief Sustainability Officer through one of two pathways: a strong foundation in environmental science or a business background with a growing focus on ESG. Degrees in Environmental Science, Business Administration, Public Policy or Engineering are common. Many pursue a master's in Sustainability, Environmental Management or an MBA with a sustainability track. The education required to become a CSO is a bachelor's degree. A good stepping stone to enhance your credibility is a credential to complement your education and practical work experience. For instance, the SEA / SEP (Sustainability Excellence Associate/Professional) is offered by the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP). This credential is ideal for students and leaders aiming to enter the field. The most common postgraduate degrees pursued by Chief Sustainability Officers are master's in financial management, sustainability leadership or business administration. While these degrees are beneficial, they are not considered mandatory While pursuing your education, you can maximize opportunities by getting an apprenticeship. The U.S. Office of Apprenticeship 'promotes and helps employers and other organizations develop quality, accessible Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for workers seeking higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs and organizations seeking to build a qualified workforce.' On a local level, the 'Regenerative Projects Directory' and other resources found on the Green Dreamer website are excellent places to start. At least five to 10 years of experience in a related field is customary, and some even suggest 20 years of experience. This is a very new role, so the former is probably acceptable. The top candidate for the Chief Sustainability role wants to demonstrate experience across the board in roles at the entry level, progressing to management and senior leadership positions. When it comes to the best size of an organization to work for, there are pros and cons with large and small organizations. A small non-profit, for example, will make it easier to get promoted within and have access to greater opportunities to learn hands-on. A large organization, on the other hand, will have many more resources and better access to collaborators around the world. This is a great time to know yourself and what type of environment you know you'd thrive in; start there. The industry you work with matters. The more focused they are on renewable energy, environmental law, climate science and green business initiatives for example, the more the mission will be aligned with their core values. The title of Chief Sustainability Officer holds a great deal of weight and makes you a member of, as well as an advisor to, the C-Suite. The title matters. According to the Institute of Sustainability Studies, before becoming a Chief Sustainability Officer, few have held the position before elsewhere. The most common path has included mid-level and senior-level positions like Supply Chain Manager and Director of Sustainability. While there is no industry-wide certification to become a Chief Sustainability Officer, there are professional development programs that are common among those holding the role. The majority of the programs cover sustainability principles, environmental systems and master's degrees. Some relevant certifications include the Sustainability Excellence Association and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The best way to learn more is to look at the profiles of a range of Chief Sustainability Officers holding positions today. For example, according to her LinkedIn profile, Marika McCauley Sine, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Starbucks, holds a BA from William and Mary, a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a certification from IMD, as well as The Aspen Institute certification of a First Mover Fellow. If your preference, for example, is to be hired in a financial services firm, you'll gather invaluable information by looking at the backgrounds of a few CSOs in that space. Rabobank North America's Chief Sustainability Officer, Terryn Lawrence, holds, in addition to graduate and undergraduate degrees, eight credentials ranging from a certification in Crucial Learning from Crucial Conversations to Corporate Learning certification from Harvard Business Advanced Learning. From the examples above, you'll glean that top CSOs came to the job with vastly different degrees, yet have in common a broad understanding of leadership, the turbulent landscape of sustainability and have honed their skills to communicate across corporate functions. To know which certifications are worthwhile for your goals, do your research and know what your blind spots are. Be curious about new ways of thinking and strategies to solve problems. Then step out and experiment with what you learn with leaders who share your goals. Network on social media, and more importantly, in person. The skills that define a good leader, particularly a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), include the ability to learn, act and lead with calm confidence. By definition, the Chief Sustainability Officer embodies change. This leader actively engages with the latest advancements in sustainability, collaborating with experts in the field and returning to colleagues ready to implement innovative ideas. You can become a good leader if you commit to a lifetime of strengthening self-awareness and learning what your blind spots are to lead with success and optimism. Pursue learnership opportunities by asking to take on more responsibility. Once you've learned to be accountable for additional results, you'll have a better understanding of your strongest skills and of the areas where you need help to grow. You can work on your management and leadership abilities by hiring a coach to help you with your blind spots. This is key, especially if you've never had one or if you have been in the same working environment for a long time without much change. When you invest in leadership development, it's key to know examples of the stepping-stones you need to take to earn the role of CSO. Examples of jobs that previous CSOs have held leading up to their post are: Executive Director, Global Energy Strategy, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, and Director of Legislative Affairs. In today's turbulent times, a CSO must be able to demonstrate how sustainable initiatives create economic value. For this reason, aspiring CSOs are well served to understand what their future employers are looking for. According to data collected by CSO Futures, 'This suggests that firms approach Chief Sustainability Officer recruitment in two ways: some prefer to appoint a company veteran, recognizing that deep company knowledge is helpful for sustainability buy-in, while others prioritize senior sustainability management experience.' You can grow and maintain a valuable network by regularly attending events in and outside of your industry. Understand what's trending in leadership events so that you can be exposed to ways of thinking outside of your industry and area of expertise. As an aspiring CSO, you want to look into joining a relevant association or industry-specific membership organization. Networking helps you on your path to becoming a CSO because you'll learn about upcoming openings as well as new initiatives being implemented in competing firms. When seeking a mentor, look for a true advisor, one with whom you could enjoy a lifetime of learning. This relationship is mutually beneficial. They are as energized by your perspective as you are by theirs. You want to learn what drives them, what challenges they're solving and what questions they're still asking. You are co-creators of the world you are building. Leaders cannot ignore that virtual networking saves time and money and gives you the ability to network globally and learn things you can never learn by focusing on in-person networking. The case for in-person networking makes it clear that to grow, you must make time for both. The data shows that being in front of other people in person builds your range of motion in conversation, as well as presents you with more opportunities to be included as a panelist in events. According to Freeman, a firm specializing in event strategy, 'In-person events remain the most popular option for attendees, with 8 in 10 attendees stating they prefer in-person events.' The best ways to find CSO job opportunities are to network within your company and outside of it. Be where you need to be and be curious about the trends at your firm, as well as being adept at searching on LinkedIn, as well as signing up for job posting newsletters. For example, the job resource, JobLeads, includes a simple form on its site on which you fill out your industry and receive updates. Additionally, they offer headhunter, resumes, and coaching resources for their community. You should be looking for postings that align with your experience and that describe a culture you'd see yourself being part of. Your cover letter should state a clear understanding of the mission of the firm and a desire to be of service to its future success. Write about the potential employer and what you've taken the time to learn. Do not write about the details that your attached resume will already cover. In your letter, demonstrate self-awareness about your leadership style and share what previous co-workers have said about your contributions to past successful endeavors. In the interview for the Chief Sustainability Officer, your potential employer will be speaking most of the time, and you, the candidate, will be speaking less. Your job in the interview for the job is to ask questions where you can learn what success looks like and how you can make it look good. You'd be well served to research the people who will be interviewing you as well as all relevant data about the company and the role. Your goal is to leave this interview armed with an understanding of what the future looks like for this company and what you can do to help them accelerate those results. Bottom Line The Chief Sustainability Officer is a C-suite leader driving ESG strategy across functions with strong, evergreen leadership and adept communication. With relevant certifications and deep business fluency, this role reports to the top of the organization. As a Chief Sustainability Officer, you will be translating your purpose into performance and guiding enterprise-wide sustainability with clarity, credibility and integrated impact.

Entrepreneur UK's London 100: Zonder Health Ltd
Entrepreneur UK's London 100: Zonder Health Ltd

Entrepreneur

time13 hours ago

  • Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur UK's London 100: Zonder Health Ltd

Zonder leverages AI to lighten provider workloads and deliver top-tier, cost-effective care Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Industry: Healthcare Last, but certainly not least, on the Entrepreneur UK London100 list is Zonder. Founded in 2024, Zonder leverages AI to lighten provider workloads and deliver top-tier, cost-effective care. With over a quarter of the UK population managing chronic conditions — accounting for half of all GP appointments and three-quarters of health spending — the demand on healthcare is immense. Amid a shortage of qualified professionals, Zonder steps in to manage these chronic conditions, easing the burden on primary care providers. By combining AI with a patient-centered approach, Zonder is revolutionising chronic disease management. Its innovative model integrates AI with human expertise, offering a scalable solution that improves patient outcomes while optimizing healthcare resources. The company stands as a beacon of innovation in healthcare, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that drives progress in the city. Zonder's AI platform streamlines admin enhances patient communication, and meets QoF targets, freeing up providers to focus on delivering care.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store