Interview with Bas Fransen of EcoMatcher

Could you introduce yourself and your role at EcoMatcher?

My name is Bas, and I'm originally from the Netherlands. After a long corporate career with companies like Philips, IBM, and ASML, I switched to the startup world. Following a successful exit from a wireless power company, I was looking for a meaningful venture that could leverage technology and scale. I asked executives worldwide why their corporations weren't planting more trees, and the answer was always the same: a lack of transparency and engagement. This core insight led me to found EcoMatcher eight years ago to solve these exact problems.

What is the central concept behind your business model?

The core philosophy is rooted in creating trust and utility where there was none. Traditionally, corporate tree-planting was a black box; a company would donate money and hope for the best, with no way to verify the outcome or engage their stakeholders. We transformed this model by building a platform that makes every tree traceable and interactive. We partner with planting organizations worldwide, and for every tree funded, we collect precise data. This data is then made available to our clients through our platform. The real magic happens in the application: a customer who receives a tree can virtually visit it in 3D, watch it grow, and even send a message to the farmer. This turns an abstract donation into a tangible, emotional connection, which businesses can leverage for gifting, loyalty programs, and employee engagement.

Reflecting on your journey, what are you most proud of in establishing EcoMatcher so far?

I am incredibly proud of the scalable ecosystem we have built. We started with a single use-case—corporate gifting—but our platform model allowed us to expand into diverse and impactful areas. For instance, we now work with market research firms that use trees to reward survey participants, increasing response rates. A particularly rewarding initiative was during COVID, where we helped companies foster connections among remote employees by creating "company forests," where each staff member receives their own tree. Perhaps one of our most scalable partnerships is with Grab, where millions of users round up their ride fares, with the micro-donations funding massive tree-planting efforts across Southeast Asia.

What are you currently most excited about building next at EcoMatcher?

Our focus is on growth and innovation. We are expanding into new countries like China and Saudi Arabia to plant more trees. Technologically, we are constantly building "cool stuff" to deepen engagement. We're developing virtual reality features that will one day allow you to take an immersive walk through your forest from your living room in Hong Kong. This constant innovation is key to our mission.

What is the one key message about the future of sustainable business you'd want to share with our members?

My message is clear: sustainability is the ultimate business opportunity of our time. Too many companies still view it as a regulatory burden or a cost center. They need to wake up. The most forward-thinking companies, from Unilever to the startups we partner with, have realized that integrating sustainability is a powerful strategy to win market share, build brand loyalty, and increase market capitalization. Consumers, especially the younger generation, actively support brands that align with their values. Combating the climate crisis is a collective effort, and businesses that provide transparent, engaging ways for people to participate will not only help the planet but will also be the commercial winners of tomorrow.

Read more about EcoMatcher and its vision here!