In the face of critical environmental challenges, the fusion of business innovation and ecological stewardship through permaculture has become not just an option but a necessity. The urgency of our times necessitates bold and transformative actions from entrepreneurs worldwide, who stand as catalysts for positive change.

Sage Lenier, a young climate activist from NYC, inspired us at WebSummit in Lisbon last week and whilst we continue to help purpose-driven business overall, we want to create a much needed focus on the creation of businesses that directly support a shift in trajectory for earth and humanity.

In her speech she outlined that the solution is not just green energy but an overall shift in the way we think about and run our economy. We need to consume less and we need to build products that last and can be repaired and recycled.

So why do we talk about Permaculture in this context and what is it?

We were first impressed and inspired by permaculture in 2022 when we took a 2-week permaculture design course in Portugal. It is so much more than growing vegetables and fruits. It’s a life philosophy and holistic way of life that seeks harmony with each other and nature.

It’s an innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living. It is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere.

By thinking carefully about the way we use our resources – food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs – it is possible to get much more out of life by using less. We can be more productive for less effort, reaping benefits for our environment and ourselves, for now and for generations to come.

This is the essence of permaculture – the design of an ecologically sound way of living – in our households, gardens, communities and businesses. It is created by cooperating with nature and caring for the earth and its people.

Permaculture: A Beacon for Disruptive Business Models

Permaculture, deeply rooted in sustainability, offers a holistic blueprint for businesses seeking to revolutionize while working in tandem with the environment. Its principles of harmony with nature and regeneration provide the foundational ethos for a new wave of disruptive business models.

Let’s take a look at the general types of businesses you can start in this space.

• Regenerative Agriculture Ventures: Companies embracing regenerative agriculture principles witness a paradigm shift in food production. By prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, they not only foster sustainable farming practices but actively regenerate the environment.
• Circular Economy Innovations: Businesses leading the charge in circular economy models reimagine waste as a resource. They innovate through upcycling, remanufacturing, and product design that emphasizes longevity, thereby reducing waste and conserving resources.
• Green Technology Startups: The surge in green technology startups is instrumental in driving solutions for renewable energy, waste management, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Innovations in solar energy, IoT-driven farming, and eco-friendly materials pave the way for scalable and sustainable solutions.
  

At MettaStartup Studio we are particularly passionate about self-sustained communal living solutions that reduce dependence on the external world by creating resilient micro-ecosystems that sustainably and locally solve for all basic human needs. So if you are an aspiring or early-stage founder and someone who wants to be part of building a sustainable future, we invite you to consider the following ideas as inspiration for a project or pivot to pursue.

Self-Sustained Community Models:

1. Eco-Village - A small, rural community designed to be socially cohesive and ecologically sustainable. This model focuses on communal living, shared resources, and a mix of private and communal land use.
2. Urban Co-Housing - An urban community model that combines private residences with shared spaces and resources. It is characterized by high-density living, shared facilities, and a strong sense of community involvement.
3. Transition Towns - Communities that proactively work towards increasing self-sufficiency to reduce the potential effects of peak oil, climate destruction, and economic instability. They focus on local production, reducing energy use, and building local economies.
4. Permaculture Suburbs - Suburban areas transformed into productive landscapes, incorporating permaculture principles into the suburban design by integrating food production, waste management, and sustainable housing.
5. Self-sustaining Intentional Communities - Deliberately constructed communities where residents are committed to living according to specific values, such as sustainability, self-sufficiency, and mutual aid. These can be rural or urban and often have a shared economic model.
   

Also, check these supportive ideas centered around the most crucial aspects of building and running a self-sustained community:

1. Shelter: Sophisticated, eco-friendly design using natural or recycled materials, smart home technology for energy conservation, and communal areas built for social interaction and community resilience.
2. Warmth: Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal for heating and electricity, passive solar design for natural heating, and community-wide energy storage solutions to ensure consistent warmth.
3. Food: Integrated food systems such as community-supported agriculture (CSA), aquaponics, and vertical farming, providing varied, organic, and locally sourced food while using sustainable farming practices.
4. Water: Rainwater harvesting, greywater systems for recycling, and purifying technologies to ensure a clean water supply. Incorporating water conservation strategies into community planning and individual habits.
5. Health: Holistic health and wellness centers using both modern medicine and traditional practices, community gardens and sports facilities to promote physical health, and mental health support systems to provide a supportive environment.
   

Our background is in the Sporting Goods Industry which is part of the 3rd most polluted industry after fossil fuels and agriculture, so we felt special responsibility to highlight some inspiration in the clothing space as well (PS also a basic human need for survival across climates):

We see one core opportunity here - circularity. Cause we got enough garments to put clothes on generations lying around already. You could do this working with the big corporates in that industry and figure out how we can tap into the garment graveyards and find ways to create new clothing from old clothing. Simultaneously all kinds of recycling and upcycling initiatives to do so more organically down the line as well built into corporate business models. We have enough clothing in the world, lets not create more for the sake of it.

Additionally, you can consider available material tech to create clothes that last and are repairable with local skills and in sustainable ways built for practicality and purpose across seasons. At least from now forward when we do create we create with sustainability and practicality in mind versus fast-fashion and luxury purposes.

Outside of working with the big corporates, we can reduce dependency by creating a localized community model to fully cater to own local clothing requirements which can then be passed on as a localized franchise model to other communities.

‍Sustainable Clothing Co-Operative: A self-sustained community initiative that produces eco-friendly and ethical clothing. This could involve:

• Recycling & Upcycling: Establishing programs within the community to take back worn-out garments for recycling or upcycling, thereby ensuring a closed-loop system that minimizes waste.
• Material Sourcing: Members could cultivate organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo within the community, ensuring a local and sustainable source of raw materials.
• Manufacturing: Small-scale, community-run workshops or maker spaces could utilize manual or low-impact machinery to create garments, reducing the carbon footprint associated with large-scale production.
• Design: Emphasizing zero-waste design principles, clothing items would be designed to minimize off-cuts and scrap materials. Modular and repairable clothing designs could be featured to extend the lifecycle of garments.
• Distribution: Adopting a direct-to-consumer model within and outside the community, either through a physical co-op store or an online platform, reducing the need for intermediaries and emphasizing the story behind each piece.

Empowering Entrepreneurs for Change

For those ready to embark on the journey or are already making strides in these crucial areas, we’re extending a supportive hand.

1) We invite you to a free 45-minute strategic startup consultation, where we can delve into your aspirations, challenges, and strategies to create a sustainable impact.

2) Free community that fosters collaboration and learning among like-minded individuals, sharing experiences, resources, and best practices.

‍3) Free Software Tools for Building Your Vision. We understand the challenges of launching and managing an early-stage business without a team. To assist in these pursuits, we’re providing free software tools designed to streamline essential business processes:

• Website Building Tools: Access platforms for effortless website creation to showcase your mission and products.
• Social Media Scheduler: Simplify content sharing and management across social platforms for broader reach and engagement.
• CRM Database Management: Track and manage your customers so you never lose a customer again
• Email Marketing Solutions: Utilize our email marketing tools to communicate and engage with your audience.
• Course Creation Platforms: Build educational content to spread knowledge and awareness about environmental and social issues.
• Community Building Resources: Cultivate and manage a dedicated community aligned with your mission.
  

4) A true co-founding partnership is also something we are open to discuss when you come with an idea around self-sustained communities and self-sustained living.

Calling for Collaborative Action

The time has arrived for collaborative action, a collective effort that transcends individual endeavours. By pooling resources, ideas, and strategies, we have the potential to amplify our impact and drive change at an unprecedented scale.

The challenges confronting our world demand unity and shared efforts. As entrepreneurs dedicated to permaculture and environmental impact, let's collaborate, learn, and grow together. Your passion and commitment are pivotal in steering humanity toward a sustainable and thriving future.

How to Access These Resources

To claim your free consultation, community access, and software tools, simply send us an email with the subject “MettaImpact” where you shortly describe your business and its impact mission and share a link to your website and/or LinkedIn account. Alternatively, book a 30-min chat with us here and explain us what you are building or planning to build and if you qualify we will grant you free access at the end of the call.

Together, let's shape a world where entrepreneurship is not just about profits and but also about the impact on the environment and society. It's time for transformative, collective action that stands as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable and equitable world. One with less greed and more love toward each other and our environment.

Time is now. Join the movement to create a sustainable and resilient future for all.