The world’s most innovative companies are not only tech based. Who would have thought that a plantable pencil could lead to a successful global business with sales in over 80 countries? With a clear mission to inspire people and companies to take more sustainable actions, Sprout World has been added to Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2020.
Imagine that you could reuse your old pencil stub when it becomes too short to write with? Just by turning it upside down and planting it, you could transform it into delicious herbs or vegetables like basil, thyme, sage or cherry tomato? This is exactly what the idea behind the plantable Sprout pencil is: to give new life to a product instead of throwing it out.
Michael Stausholm, a Danish entrepreneur, founded Sprout World in 2013 after he spotted the pencil on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter.
“I fell in love with the pencil back then. I could see so many opportunities for both businesses and consumers to benefit from it, the question was; would the world agree?”
“Now after seven years of hard work, my team and I are extremely honored and proud to get this recognition from one of the USA’s leading business magazines. Being innovative is in the DNA of Sprout World and it’s one of the greatest compliments I can think of.”
Sprout World seems unstoppable these days. With 75% growth in sales last year, and an expectation to hit a total of 30 million sold Sprout pencils in 2020, they have hit on a demand in the market for more sustainable solutions. Especially within the promotional industry where Sprout World offers a green and natural alternative to the millions of branded plastic ballpoint pens that are produced every day.
Most of Sprout World’s clients are companies and organizations that get their logo on the Sprout pencils and use them as green giveaways at trade fairs or conferences, for campaigns, or as gifts to partners and employees.
“The demand for eco-friendly products is exploding these days.” Michael Stausholm says. “Not only for products but also for showing the world what a company does to leave a positive impact on the planet.”
“The times where it was hidden in a heavy sustainability report in a drawer of the management team are over. Today a company needs to both engage in sustainable improvements AND tell its clients and partners about it, and this is what we help thousands of companies with every day.”
“We don’t believe planting pencils can save the world, but our mission is to inspire everyone; children, adults and companies to make small changes in their everyday life, which when added up, makes a big difference.”
You can see Sprout World on the list of the world’s most innovative companies. They are number 2 in Europe:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90457945/europe-most-innovative-companies-2020
About Sprout World
Sprout World is the company behind the world’s first plantable pencil. It was founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Michael Stausholm and has offices in Copenhagen and Boston. 80% of Sprout World’s sales go to companies and organizations that customize the pencils and use them as green giveaways. 20% are being sold on Amazon and in shops across the world. Sprout World has sold over 20 million Sprout pencils to over 80 countries. They have also developed a plantable makeup pencil, Sprout Liner and a biodegradable teabag and spoon in one, the Sprout Spoon. Visit www.sproutworld.com for more information.