Do you know how much Carbon emissions you created today? How about for the entire year? Or just when you want to get groceries today? Most people have no idea how much carbon they are personally responsible for releasing in the atmosphere. This goes for companies as well as individuals. Pretty much everything we do contributes to carbon emissions engulfing the planet. The resulting man made climate changes affect us all. Now there is a way to offset the carbon we each produce by purchasing something called a carbon credit.
Great! we want to help save the planet; but how do we know the amount of carbon credits to buy, and where to get them?This has been the crux of the problem for many years. Calculating carbon emissions (also called, carbon footprint) is complicated, requires a lot of data, and an array of projects proven to reduce carbon emissions. It’s a pretty tall order. Some major corporations are taking on this initiative themselves, but the real progress is coming from the startup sector and some unlikely players. Yavor Vassilev is not your typical environmentalist and his path to the startup life began early. “I started earning money as a teenager selling magazines and newspapers with some friends from the hood - this is when the entrepreneurial spirit got me. We earned a lot more than our parents did in their corporate management positions. Our parents left their jobs to run a private trading company where I also worked during my years in the University. That company went out of business and I spent almost 15 years in banks and the stock exchange working 9-5. Even with a full time job, I always participated (as a non executive partner) in number of private businesses and ventures.” Vassilev wanted to create something of his own, create something with global impact, create something that will leave the world a better place from his work. He left the Bulgarian stock exchange and switched into the carbon offset business, opening a brokerage firm in Europe. “My biggest setback when I began working in the carbon marketplace was finally realizing my company needed so much tech to be successful.”
Vassilev discovered the expertise he sought at the Sofia chapter of the Founder Institute. His carbon offset marketplace, CO2 Cards, makes it fast and reliable for anyone to purchase carbon offsets. CO2 Cards also works on public outreach and marketing related to carbon emissions. In March 2016 CO2 Cards became part of Founder Institute Graduates and joined a global family of over 2,500 innovative companies. They are currently working with the United Nations climate change initiative and many other partners to reduce global carbon emissions.
Vassilev is integrating with two key customers - an online travel agency and a mobile ticketing app for public transportation. He expects to start earning revenue from this in Q2 2018. CO2 Cards has also seen interest from event-ticketing platforms. A strategic partnership was made recently with one of the top ranked companies in the carbon industry, Allcot.com. The partnership with Allcot.com will allow CO2 Cards to improve carbon offset purchasing options for their clients. CO2 Cards has been winning national and international recognition consistently. In July 2016 they won 2nd place in the National Climate Launchpad Program, organised by Cleantech Bulgaria.They were also selected among the top 3 climate startups in Bulgaria and went on to be a finalists in the EU Climate startup conference. CO2 Cards presented at WEBITand Pirate Summit, and attended the Climate Investor Summit by Tech-tour in Rotterdam.CO2 Cards is on a mission to improve people’s awareness of climate issues, as well as educate them about actions. Each of us can purchase carbon offsets from an online carbon marketplace to reduce our impact on the planet. Vassilev is charging ahead in the carbon offset industry and is continually striving to offer the best experience at CO2 Cards. For any of you who want to launch an impactful company and change the world Vassilev has this to say, “My best advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is Don't give up. Be persistent, talk to clients and adjust your offering according to their needs.” This is his two cents on how to make the biggest impact.
Graduates of the Founder Institute are creating some of the world's fastest growing startups, having raised over 2BN in funding, and building products people love across over 200 cities worldwide.
See the most recent news from our Grads at FI.co/news, or learn more about their stories at FI.co/journey.
