Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Analysis of ESG Assessment Tools for SMEs and Startups

The increasing importance of sustainable factors is reshaping global business practices, impacting investment strategies, consumer behavior, and regulatory landscapes. All this has led to the evolution of various concepts such as non-financial information (NFI), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Around the latter in particular, a world has been built, and the perspective and business methods of a company have changed accordingly. New methods of reporting ESG data and evaluating them have emerged and are still developing. This trend is particularly relevant for SMEs and startups, which represent the backbone of most national economies and drive significant innovation and job creation. However, SMEs often lack the resources and established structures to efficiently implement comprehensive ESG practices and reporting. Furthermore, the rapid growth and dynamic nature of startups present unique challenges. This thesis addresses this critical gap in understanding, particularly concerning the application of existing ESG frameworks and the development of targeted methodologies. It investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with assessing and reporting ESG factors for SMEs and startups, looking at what was done and how it was done. Finally, some considerations and future suggestions are made on how the situation should evolve in order to fill these gaps and inefficiencies.