Twenty years ago, Enviu started with a simple yet radical idea: business should be a force for good. Two decades, dozens of ventures, and countless lessons later, we’re still proving it can be done.
Over the past 20 years, Enviu has grown from a single idea to a global venture builder. These two decades have changed us in various ways. Starting from a Dutch NGO, today we are a whole international team of 50+ changemakers. This has helped us evolve from a simple brand to a family of domains making waves worldwide. And while 20 years ago we were full of bold ideas, today these have turned into whole ventures that drive systematic change.
During our journey, we found several allies who believe in our mission. From H&M Foundation to IKEA Foundation and Nationale Postcode Loterij. In good company and with bold ideas, the past 20 years have been full-on action. From initiating the world’s first hydrogen-powered water taxi to piloting refillable vending machines with Nestlé. And from preventing foodloss of over 330 tonnes with our Agrifood domain to raising $10 million for financing new electric rickshaws through our Three Wheels United venture.
These are only a few of our world-changing ideas which have led to real, tangible impact that fulfills our goal of driving systematic change. And all of these undoubtedly brought many lessons. So, what did we learn during the past 20 years while developing world-changing ideas?
Lesson #1 Together Is More
We truly work better when united. Collaborating as a team and sharing that spark with our ecosystem of partners is how we create lasting change.
Lesson #2 Nail It Before You Scale It
Scaling without a solid foundation can lead to excessive costs… Here is our approach: obsess over the problem, prototype, test, repeat, then validate with stakeholders. After we have nailed it, and we have our proven model, we are ready to scale! It’s not just about doing it bigger and faster. It’s about growing better.
Lesson #3 Impact x Business = Change That Lasts
At Enviu, we believe that change can be made by integrating impact with business. Impact-driven businesses are the solution that endures in time. When we design ventures that prioritize environmental and societal good, we not only make profit but most importantly – we drive real systematic change.
Lesson #4 Fix the Root, Not the Fruit
We are not scared of the harder questions. Instead of putting band aids, we dig deep until we get to the foundational root of the problem. Because real change starts from changing the malfunctioning structure. Shifting mindsets or policies – we are here for both.
Just like we did with our domain Zero Waste, for example. Not only do we clean up plastic pollution, but we work at the root by rethinking the way food systems can deliver and produce in a fairer and better way for the planet.
Lesson #5 Change Is Good
Moreover, change is essential. The world is ever evolving, and we can’t expect that the practices from decades ago might work today. That is why at Enviu we embrace change. Refine approaches, explore new solutions, shift strategies to meet the new needs of the emerging markets. We adapt. And while everything is changing, we are focused on delivering an impact that will last longer.
Lesson #6 Culture Sparks Connection
From judicious Netherlands to majestic Indonesia. From vibrant India to dynamic Kenya. Our diverse backgrounds are our secret weapon towards innovation. Variety of opinions based on cultural differences that we turn into an opportunity instead of a challenge. And that is how we prove that diversity drives impact.
Lesson #7 Embrace The Chaos
A famous singer once said, “If you are experiencing turbulence, it means that you are growing”. Venture building is not an easy road. In fact, it is filled with many challenges, pivots, and breakthroughs. But that usually means that you are onto something…
A new partnership opportunity, the need to completely change your idea, a sudden shift in market conditions – all of these can occur during the process. So, what do we do when a bit of chaos arrives?
At Enviu, we try to “embrace the chaos”. We understand this as being flexible, mastering problem-solving, experimenting, and getting creative with solutions. Most importantly, we are not scared of chaos. Because meaningful change does not come from comfortable places.
Lesson #8 Think Big, Start Small
Arguably everyone is trying to make a global change, yet only a few do. Have you wondered why that is?
Patience and a great plan are the key to it – you cannot fast forward to the moment when your dream has come true. We believe in starting with small steps, wrapped around our big thinking and a great dream.
The way Enviu starts small is by first trying to make a change on a local level. After that, we will be ready to create ripples of change worldwide.
Lesson #9 Measure It To Master It
There is one principle that is at the heart of our venture-building strategy – you can’t improve what you don’t measure! Tracking progress and metrics is what helps us make sure that we are on the right path in driving systematic change.
We can give an example with our venture Second Spin. When engaging stakeholders for sourcing materials, setting measurable targets is key. For instance, if the goal is to collaborate with 10 organizations and successfully onboard 6, this provides a strong statistical foundation to scale further. By extrapolating this success rate, we can confidently validate our broader target market. Every assumption should be backed by data, ensuring that our approach is not just hopeful but proven.
Lesson #10 Keep It Lean
Why invest heavily in an unproven idea when you can test smart? At Enviu, we believe in the power of lean validation—using minimal resources to maximize learning. Instead of building big from day one, we experiment, iterate, and refine business models to ensure they truly work.
Don’t get us wrong, we are not simply talking about saving money here. It’s about staying agile and resourceful!
Want more inspiration?
Lesson #11 Disrupt The Norm, Bring In The Swarm
Creating radical innovation together with you – this is what Enviu is all about. Here is the way Gigi Mathews, our Regional Director in India, sees it:
Lesson #12 Kill Your Darlings
Early-stage solutions are just that – early. Allow your ideas to get final. Don’t be afraid to let your ideas evolve and (inevitably) change during the process of testing and iteration.
For example, three years ago, Arpana Philip, Enviu East Africa’s Senior Venture Builder, found herself staring at two tonnes of freshly harvested mangoes at one of our partner sites in Kenya. A buyer had just rejected the entire batch.
Determined to find a solution, Arpana and SokoFresh founder Denis Karema quickly sought new markets, successfully selling all the mangoes and onboarding new clients. After a year, the venture discovered that combining two products—cold storage facilities and an online market linkage platform—was a powerful value proposition for farmers.
Lesson #13 Failure Is Gold
Setbacks? We call them golden opportunities. We cherish failure as the fuel that drives us to keep improving our work until it becomes a success. That way failure doesn’t scare us – it inspires us.
Lesson #14 Systems Change Is The Way Forward
Many of the existing systems have failed us and this is why we are experiencing so much environmental and societal turbulence. In order to tackle today’s global challenges, we can’t just tweak a broken system. We need an entirely new one.
Our strategy is simple – the key to real change is creating a model so effective, so impactful, that it makes the old way of doing things obsolete.
How do we do that? Our venture Alner operates a tech-enabled reusable packaging system where customers can replace their single-use sachets. Our other venture, Second Spin, is determined to work with hotels to sort and upcycle their linens which would otherwise end in the landfill. Thus, diverting at least 1 million kilograms of linen waste.
This is how we transform systems to build a future that works for all.
Lesson #15 Trust The Process
Impact venture building can be a bumpy ride. Sharp turns, obscured views, long detours. The only thing that can save you through it is trusting your vision and the process.
As Dieuwertje Nelissen, our Chief Program Officer so beautifully puts it:
“Building world-changing solutions is a bumpy ride—you won’t always see the next turn… You have to trust the process and its output, and don’t forget your vision, gut, and intuition. The combination is the compass that keeps you on track.”
Lesson #16 See The Good, Be The Good
Building world–changing ventures means looking at some of the toughest challenges out there – waste crises, broken economic systems, climate change – and deciding to dive deeply anyways. Yet there is one thing you should always carry with you – optimism.
At Enviu, it is essential that we are optimists. This taught mindset of seeing the world not as it is but as it could be is what inspires us to keep working daily.
And we don’t stop at ‘seeing the good’. We build it. One venture, one system, one bold step at a time.
Lesson #17 Variety Is A Superpower
When Enviu was founded in 2004, it all started with this one office in central Rotterdam. 20 years later, Enviu’s community spans across 3 continents.
What did we learn from that?
1. Yes, diversity makes us stronger but not only!
2. The fusion of various approaches and culturally different perspectives is what helped us make a change on a global level.
3. Maintaining our team as inclusive as possible means maintaining the span of our mission.
Variety is always inspiring. Be part of a team that has this superpower.
Lesson #18 Don’t Brainstorm
Wait… Actually, do – but not just once.
How often do you go into a meeting for a “quick brainstorm”? And how often is it successful?
Truth is, the best ideas are rarely born in one-and-done sessions. They take continuous refining, revisiting, killing of darlings, and challenging your thoughts.
Lesson #19 Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
It all starts with an idea. A small spark to bring out our enthusiasm. Then how does this spark become a venture that drives systematic change?
Our secret is simple – ideas, ideas, ideas. The flow of ideas evolves from a rough concept to a validated scalable venture. This has been Enviu’s mission for the past 20 years – co-creating solutions with stakeholders, piloting concepts, and continuously iterating until we land on a venture that’s not just viable, but transformative.
Lesson #20 Pioneering Ain’t Easy
No blueprint. No roadmap. Just an idea and the conviction that the world needs some foundational changes. That’s what it means to be a pioneer in impact venture building. Sometimes, the venture you build won’t be the one that scales—but it will be the spark. The one that challenges an industry, shifts a mindset, or proves that an alternative is even possible. And in a space where systemic change is the goal, even the ventures that don’t last still move the world forward. Because every broken model, every iteration, and every lesson learned becomes part of the foundation for what comes next.
As you can see, the last 20 years have taught us a lot, but one thing remains unchanged —our belief that business can and must drive systemic change.
Where is Enviu headed? Our Chief Program Officer Dieuwertje Nelissen shares:
“Systems change takes time, so our journey goes on. We will continue to build ventures and support ecosystems, creating an economy which serves the people and the planet. Will you join us in this journey?”
Which of these lessons resonates most with you?
And that’s a wrap on our 20 Lessons! But it doesn’t have to end here…
Let’s continue the conversation — reach out to partner with us in building ventures that move industries.
