Business Developers in the 21st [Sustainable] Century : A comparative case study of how and why Swedish business developers implement sustainability in their cooperation with start-ups

This paper investigates the relationship between business developers and start-ups in the field of sustainability. More specifically, the study analyzes how and why Swedish business developers, in terms of incubators, financiers, and advisors, implement sustainability in their cooperation with start-ups. Each year, thousands of businesses are founded which need support in various ways, it could be anything from advising to financial help. Ever since the UN launched Agenda 2030 and the Government of Sweden launched its new climate policy, it is clear that everyone needs to do something to help the world towards a better future. This study is based on qualitative interviews with six different business developers and applies the theories: stakeholder and shareholder theory, triple bottom line, creating shared value, green growth, and open innovation. The result showed that how business developers implement sustainability in their cooperation with start-ups varies, but is based on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Some developers work more actively than others, but it is done through an exchange of knowledge between business developers and start-ups. Further, why business developers use sustainability is either as a tool to gain a competitive advantage and help start-ups grow or to increase their profits.