This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Empowering Eco-Innovation Through Digitalization in Startup Enterprises
Corresponding Author(s) : Erika Erika
Startupreneur Business Digital (SABDA Journal),
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): Startupreneur Business Digital (SABDA)
Abstract
The digital era has created a new landscape for the world of entrepreneurship, where environmental challenges and changes in consumer behavior require business actors, especially startups, to Innovate to create products that are not only competitive but also sustainable. The background of this research is the urgent need for business solutions that support sustainability principles and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to identify strategic opportunities in the development of eco-innovative products by startups in the digital era, as well as the factors that encourage and hinder their implementation. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data was collected through literature studies and in-depth interviews with several startup founders operating in the environmental and technology sectors. The results show that the integration of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), e-commerce, and big data, opens up significant opportunities for the development of more efficient, personalized, and affordable eco-friendly products. However, challenges such as limited access to green financing and a lack of sustainability literacy remain major obstacles. The conclusion of this study confirms that the digital era offers significant opportunities for startups to become agents of change through eco-innovative products, provided they are able to integrate environmental values into their business models and utilize digital technology optimally.
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- S. Sahili and V. Barrales-Molina, “Analyzing how european startups generate eco-processes and eco- products: Eco-innovation implementation, financial resources, and patents,” Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 22, p. 10028, 2024.
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- D. Barile, G. Secundo, and P. Del Vecchio, “An artificial intelligence-based innovation ecosystem enabling open innovation and sustainable growth: evidence from a case study,” Innovation, pp. 1–23, 2025.
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- C. Duran, “Green entrepreneurship and sustainable technoparks: Ecosystems of the future,” International Research in Social, Human and Administrative Sciences XXII, vol. 61, 2024.
- K. Mansilla-Obando, G. Llanos, E. G´omez-Sotta, P. Buchuk, F. Ortiz, M. Aguirre, and F. Ahumada, “Eco- innovation in the food industry: exploring consumer motivations in an emerging market,” Foods, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 4, 2023.
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References
S. Sahili and V. Barrales-Molina, “Analyzing how european startups generate eco-processes and eco- products: Eco-innovation implementation, financial resources, and patents,” Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 22, p. 10028, 2024.
R. Mishra, R. K. Singh, and N. P. Rana, “Digital orientation, digital eco-innovation and circular economy in the context of sustainable development goals,” Business Strategy and the Environment, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 2752–2770, 2024.
R. Pratama and S. Wahyuni, “Turning eco-investments into sustainable competitive advantages: an ex- ploratory case study of eco-oriented startup,” in Proceeding of the International Conference on Family Business and Entrepreneurship, vol. 2, no. 1, 2022.
P. S. Borah, “Practical implications and the future of eco-innovation, digital transformation, and green marketing: Future of sustainable marketing,” in Regulatory Frameworks and Digital Compliance in Green Marketing. IGI Global Scientific Publishing, 2025, pp. 329–356.
D. Barile, G. Secundo, and P. Del Vecchio, “An artificial intelligence-based innovation ecosystem enabling open innovation and sustainable growth: evidence from a case study,” Innovation, pp. 1–23, 2025.
N. Ghezali and H. Sekkal, “Eco-innovation and corporate social responsibility in algerian environmental startups. economics and finance, volume 12, issue 3, 65-75,” Economics and Finance, p. 65, 2024.
C. R. Casas, M. La Rubia, J. Aguilar-Pe˜na, C. Gilabert-Torres, and L. Hontoria, “From classroom to business ideas: Fostering eco-innovation through engineering entrepreneurship education,” in New Per- spectives in Science Education-International Conference, no. 14, 2025.
N. K. A. Sukri, S. N. ulkiffli, N. H. N. Mat, K. Omar, M. K. Mawardi, and N. F. Z. Zaidi, “An analysis of eco-innovation capabilities among small and medium enterprises in malaysia,” Administrative Sciences, vol. 13, no. 4, p. 113, 2023.
L. Sanbella, I. Van Versie, and S. Audiah, “Online marketing strategy optimization to increase sales and e-commerce development: An integrated approach in the digital age,” Startupreneur Business Digital (SABDA Journal), vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 54–66, 2024.
P. Gurudiwan, R. Sehgal, and G. Sharma, “Eco-innovation as a competitive advantage in smes,” Interna- tional Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 11, no. 6s, pp. 82–88, 2025.
R. Sharma, A. Gunasekaran, M. Sharma, S. Luthra, and S. Joshi, “Building a sustainable future: The role of green innovation and green premium in transforming indian smes,” Environment, Development and Sustainability, pp. 1–26, 2025.
F. Ince, “Sustainable eco-innovation: Some points to ponder,” in Leadership Perspectives on Effective Intergenerational Communication and Management. IGI Global, 2023, pp. 16–35.
A. Awa, C. A. Pramestidewi, and A. J. Aziz, “Comprehensive exploration of ecopreneurship principles for sustainable business practices,” in E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 593. EDP Sciences, 2024, p. 06002.
A. Dudhat and E. Dolan, “Evaluation of ecopreneurship business sustainability in the context of the digital economy,” Startupreneur Business Digital (SABDA Journal), vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 64–72, 2025.
W. A. Srisathan, W. Worrakittikul, K. Rattanapon, T. Hongto, A. Phrommasakha Na Sakhonnakon, and P. Naruetharadhol, “Digitalisation to zero-waste: the interplay of open eco-innovation and the circular economy in agricultural enterprises,” International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1–21, 2025.
J. A. Antonˇciˇc, J. Hojnik, M. Ruzzier, M. K. Ruzzier, and B. Soltwisch, “The role of demographic changes and digitalization in eco-innovations and their effects on the growth of companies,” Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 14, p. 6203, 2024.
M. D. Vasilescu, G. C. Dimian, and G. I. Gradinaru, “Green entrepreneurship in challenging times: a quantitative approach for european countries,” Economic research-Ekonomska istraˇzivanja, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 1828–1847, 2023.
R. Lesmana, I. Wijaya, E. A. Nabila, H. Agustian, S. Audiah, and A. Faturahman, “Enhancing market rend analysis through ai forecasting models,” International Journal of Cyber and IT Service Management, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 105–113, 2024.
C. Duran, “Green entrepreneurship and sustainable technoparks: Ecosystems of the future,” International Research in Social, Human and Administrative Sciences XXII, vol. 61, 2024.
K. Mansilla-Obando, G. Llanos, E. G´omez-Sotta, P. Buchuk, F. Ortiz, M. Aguirre, and F. Ahumada, “Eco- innovation in the food industry: exploring consumer motivations in an emerging market,” Foods, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 4, 2023.
J. Hojnik, M. Ruzzier, M. K. Ruzzier, B. Suˇci´c, and B. Soltwisch, “Challenges of demographic changes and digitalization on eco-innovation and the circular economy: Qualitative insights from companies,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 396, p. 136439, 2023.
J. Mart´ınez Falc´o, E. S´anchez-Garc´ıa, B. Marco-Lajara, and U. Akram, “Digital transformation and green innovation performance: unraveling the role of green knowledge sharing and top management environ- mental awareness,” Internet Research, 2024.
U. Rahardja, T. Hongsuchon, T. Hariguna, and A. Ruangkanjanases, “Understanding impact sustainable intention of s-commerce activities: The role of customer experiences, perceived value, and mediation of relationship quality,” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 20, p. 11492, 2021.
G. A. Pangilinan, S. Audiah, M. R. Shauqy, and O. F. P. Wahyudi, “Entrepreneurial marketing mindset as a determining factor for digital startup success,” Startupreneur Business Digital (SABDA Journal), vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 34–46, 2025.
R. Kuceba and G. Chmielarz, “Internal development strategies of partners of eco-innovative services net- work: Consortium’s source of knowledge,” in European Conference on Knowledge Management, vol. 1. Academic Conferences International Limited, 2022, pp. 677–R32.
A. Kuzior, M. Sira, and P. Bro˙zek, “Use of artificial intelligence in terms of open innovation process and management,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 9, p. 7205, 2023.
J. J. Ferreira, A. J. C Fernandes, and M. Ram´ırez-Pasillas, “Start-ups and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the circular economy: A multi-level approach for safe and just planetary boundaries,” International Small Business Journal, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 416–445, 2024.
U. Rahardja, Q. Aini, D. Manongga, I. Sembiring, and I. D. Girinzio, “Implementation of tensor flow in air quality monitoring based on artificial intelligence,” International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, vol. 6, no. 1, 2023.
A. Sutarman, U. Rahardja, F. P. Oganda, S. Millah, and N. N. Azizah, “The role of information technology in empowering the creative economy for sustainable tourism,” Aptisi Transactions on Technopreneurship (ATT), vol. 5, no. 2sp, pp. 175–185, 2023.
S. Montresor and A. Vezzani, “Digital technologies and eco-innovation. evidence of the twin transition from italian firms,” Industry and Innovation, vol. 30, no. 7, pp. 766–800, 2023.