Sprout World wins prestigious award
Since Sprout World’s founder Michael Stausholm launched the world’s first plantable pencil from his living room back in 2013, he and his team have been on a wild journey. With offices in both Copenhagen and Boston, over 20 million sold Sprout pencils and the release of a new eco-friendly product, Sprout’s growth has now been recognized with a prestigious award, the Børsen Gazelle 2019.
Michael Stausholm recently received a pleasant call from one of Denmark’s most respected business newspapers: Sprout is a Børsen Gazelle winner 2019.
The prestigious Danish growth award; the Børsen Gazelle is given to companies that are continuously growing and as a minimum double their revenue or gross profit over a period of four financial years. At the same time, there must be positive growth every year during the period.
-I’m very proud of what we have achieved in Sprout. Thanks to hard work, a dedicated team and a strong passion for making sustainability easy to understand, we have developed into a successful global business with partners and clients in over 80 countries. We have proven that a business can be sustainable, also financially, he says.
A green niche in a plastic filled merchandise industry
Sprout has found a niche with their patented products in the sustainable branded merchandise industry. Both the plantable Sprout pencil and the new biodegradable Sprout Spoon with integrated tea are customizable. They have become popular green giveaways for companies and organizations around the world.
The Sprout Spoon just won an award for being one of the most innovative marketing products in Italy in 2019.
80 percent of Sprout’s sales go to businesses and 20 percent to private consumers, who purchase the eco-friendly products on Amazon.
-We see a constant increase in the demand for our products from both businesses and consumers. This year, we expect a turnover of 35 million DKK (5 million euros) compared to 20 million DKK last year. Our sales on Amazon have increased by 250 percent so far in 2019 compared to 2018.
-I’m very proud of what we have achieved in Sprout. Thanks to hard work, a dedicated team and a strong passion for making sustainability easy to understand, we have developed into a successful global business with partners and clients in over 80 countries. We have proven that a business can be sustainable, also financially, he says.
The positive fight against plastic
Looking for alternatives to plastic is a consumer trend that has only just begun. If we can replace plastic ball pens and single use plastic spoons and stirrers with our biodegradable products, we can pull the development in the right direction.
-We cannot save the world, but we can stay true to our mission about inspiring to more eco-friendly actions. Not by pointing fingers but by showing positive examples.
Sprout World has clients like Coca-Cola, the UN, Marriott, Guess, Esprit, Porsche, Toyota and Nestlé. The former American first lady Michelle Obama sell customized Sprout pencils on her book tour and the British entrepreneur Richard Branson uses the pencil as a souvenir to his guests on Necker Island.
Sprout’s biggest markets are Italy, USA, UK, Germany, France and Spain. Apart from plantable pencils and biodegradable teaspoons, Sprout has developed a makeup pencil that can be planted after use.