What Fors does

Fors (legal entity: fors.earth GmbH) is a Munich-based strategic sustainability consulting firm founded in 2016 by Frank Sprenger, with a secondary office in Stegen am Ammersee and fewer than 20 named professionals including two managing partners (Kathrin Hipp, Dennis König) and managing director Matthias Bönning. The firm explicitly positions itself as a strategic — rather than compliance-only — advisor, working to embed sustainability into the core business of clients rather than treating it as a peripheral reporting exercise. Its service portfolio spans four pillars: Strategy (sustainability strategy reviews, materiality analyses, stakeholder mapping), Sustainability Management (ESG rating management, CSRD, EU Taxonomy, supply chain due diligence, sustainable innovation), Communication & Brand (sustainability messaging, crisis-communications, brand positioning), and Training & Empowerment (the Sustainability Academy running Sustainability Scout, Strategist, and Skipper bootcamps). Targeted focus topics include Climate Change, CSRD Services, ESG Consulting for Investors and Financial Service Providers, Water and Marine Resources, Biodiversity and Ecosystems, and Sustainability in Sport.

The firm's defensible intellectual property rests on the Fraunhofer IVV-co-developed Sustainable Innovation Process, the free CSRD Gap Assistant community tool (used as a lead-generation funnel), and the bootcamp-driven Academy format. It is B Corp certified and holds the singular designation of consulting-firm Business Partner of the UN Ocean Decade. Customer segments are explicitly diversified across four groups: large DACH/multinational corporations (Volkswagen Group, Audi, Evonik, BASF, MAN Truck & Bus, Kaufland, Deutsche Post DHL), green and social startups, PE sponsors and financial service providers (with Matthias Bönning as named contact), and sports organizations/sponsors (DFB, ECA, FC Bayern München, BVB, FC Augsburg). Engagements are customized, project-based, and billed on professional-services terms; no public pricing exists.

Distribution runs through direct enterprise sales supported by content marketing (blog, webinars, the CSRD tool, podcasts, the proprietary "fors TALK" and "Kunst und klare Kante" event formats) and partnership referrals via the BMBF NewFoodSystems consortium, Chemie³, Fraunhofer IVV, UN Ocean Decade, DFB/ECA, and audit partners such as Dornbach. The firm is privately held, founder/management-owned with no disclosed institutional investors, no parent company, no acquisitions, and no funding rounds.

Name

Fors

Legal name

fors.earth GmbH

Website

https://fors.earth

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fors (fors.earth GmbH) is a Munich-based strategic sustainability consulting firm founded in 2016, serving DAX/multinational corporations, private equity investors, startups, and sports organizations across the DACH region with project-based advisory services spanning strategy, CSRD compliance, ESG ratings, and sustainability communication.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Consulting

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audit-Ready Controls, Assurance & Compliance Workflow Tools (CSRD/SEC/ISSB) (EUABAEAG), Environmental Compliance & Permitting (BPAHAJAA), Compliance Obligations Management (Permits-to-Controls Mapping) (EUAHAIAK)

Keywords

• Sustainability consulting
• ESG advisory
• CSRD reporting
• Climate change strategy
• Corporate sustainability training

Headquarters

HQ city

Stegen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Strategic Sustainability Consulting: Project-based consulting engagements for sustainability strategy development, sustainability management implementation, ESG rating management, CSRD services, EU Taxonomy, supply chain due diligence, communication and brand, and training & empowerment. Engagements are customized and range from strategy reviews to full program implementation. Revenue is generated through professional services fees on a per-project basis.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Fors (fors.earth GmbH) is a strategic sustainability consulting firm that helps corporations, private equity investors, sponsors, sports organizations, and public-sector clients embed sustainability into their core business. It delivers customized project-based consulting across Strategy, Sustainability Management, Communication & Brand, and Training & Empowerment, with deep specialization in CSRD/ESRS reporting, EU Taxonomy, supply-chain due diligence, climate change, water/marine resources, biodiversity, and sustainability in sport.

Product overview

Fors is a strategic sustainability consulting firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of consulting services organized around four main areas: Strategy, Sustainability Management, Communication & Brand, and Training & Empowerment. The company also provides specialized focus topic services in Climate Change, CSRD, ESG for investors, Water and Marine Resources, Biodiversity, and Sustainability in Sport. Key offerings include the CSRD Gap Assistant (a free community tool for reporting gap analysis), the Sustainability Academy with bootcamps (Sustainability Scout, Strategist, and Skipper programs), and the Fraunhofer IVV-developed Sustainable Innovation Process methodology. Services are delivered to clients across automotive, food, retail, chemical, energy, real estate, public sector, and sports industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sustainability Strategy Consulting Strategic sustainability consulting covering strategy reviews, vision/mission development, environmental and stakeholder analysis, materiality analysis, benchmark analysis, and strategic framework definition for corporations and PE investors.
• Sustainability Management Consulting Practical, goal-oriented sustainability management services including ESG rating management, CSRD/ESRS management, EU Taxonomy compliance, supply chain due diligence, sustainable innovation, and corporate citizenship management.
• Communication & Brand Consulting Sustainability communication and brand positioning services that help companies formulate core messages, integrate them into corporate communications, and maintain credibility including in crisis situations.
• Training & Empowerment Programs Sustainability training programs including information events, face-to-face training, webinars, and online-based formats targeting managers, supervisory boards, works councils, trainees, and entire workforces.
• Sustainability Academy Bootcamps Paid training offerings including Sustainability Scout (branch-agnostic basic knowledge), Sustainability Strategist (strategy training), and Sustainability Skipper (communication training) delivered through bootcamps, moderations, keynotes, and excursions at Munich and Ammersee locations.
• Sustainability in Sport Consulting Dedicated consulting service line for sports clubs, associations, leagues, event organizers, marketers, and sponsors covering sustainability strategy, governance, environmental footprint reduction, and stakeholder engagement.
• ESG Consulting for Investors and Financial Service Providers Consulting for PE firms and financial service providers covering ESG due diligence on portfolio companies, sustainable investment portfolio development, and portfolio company sustainability assessment.
• Start-Up Support Services Specialized consulting for sustainability-driven startups including matchmaking with investors, quick sustainability assessments, and support for sustainable business model development.
• CSRD Services Consulting service line dedicated to CSRD/ESRS gap analysis, double-materiality assessment, and implementation support for companies preparing to comply with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
• Sustainable Innovation Process Methodology Proprietary innovation management methodology co-developed with Fraunhofer IVV that integrates sustainability considerations into classic entrepreneurial product innovation processes, which typically underestimate sustainability-relevant aspects.
• CSRD Gap Assistant (Community Tool) Free community tool for CSRD gap analysis and reporting, used in webinars and client engagements to help companies identify gaps and prepare for Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Veramaris algal oil replaced fish oil from 1.2 million tons of wild-caught fish with initial production capacity — more than the annual fish catch of the entire Mediterranean Sea
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers36 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aegean RebreathminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth partnered with the Greek NGO Aegean Rebreath to undertake marine conservation initiatives, contributing to ocean restoration efforts and raising awareness about marine biodiversity among business audiences.
• Fraunhofer IVVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth co-developed the 'Sustainable Innovation Process' with Fraunhofer IVV, a new innovation management methodology that integrates sustainability considerations into traditional product development processes. This is a key proprietary methodology for the firm.
• everwaveminorStrategic or Co-development Partnereverwave was a presenting company at the 'Kunst und klare Kante' event hosted by fors.earth, which showcased innovative solutions for ocean and water conservation to a business audience.
• koralominorStrategic or Co-development Partnerkoralo was a presenting company at the 'Kunst und klare Kante' event hosted by fors.earth, showcasing innovative sustainable food solutions.
• CargoKiteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCargoKite was a presenting company at the 'Kunst und klare Kante' event hosted by fors.earth, presenting sustainable maritime/shipping solutions.
• UN Ocean Decade (Deutsche Komitee der UN-Ozeandekade)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth is the only consulting company designated as a business partner of the UN Ocean Decade. This partnership involves ocean conservation initiatives, awareness raising, and promoting sustainable ocean management among business stakeholders. The firm actively contributes to the German committee of the UN Ocean Decade.
• NewFoodSystems (BMBF-funded innovation space)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth is a partner and member of the BMBF-funded innovation space 'NewFoodSystems' (€20 million funding), which focuses on future food production systems. fors.earth moderates consortium meetings and supports the initiative's sustainability integration. Other partners include Max Rubner-Institut, various universities, and food industry companies.
• forStoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerforStory is a long-term cooperation partner that documents events and creates impact films for fors.earth. They co-organized the 'Kunst und klare Kante' event video documentation.
• 180 Degrees Consulting MunichminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth established a network partnership with 180 Degrees Consulting Munich, a student consulting organization that advises non-profit and social enterprises. This partnership supports knowledge exchange and extends the firm's reach in the social impact space.
• XR HUB München (featuring CYAN PLANET)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerXR HUB München provided 3D immersive experiences featuring CYAN PLANET content as part of the 'Kunst und klare Kante' event, enhancing audience engagement with ocean and marine conservation topics.
• MIRAME Agentur für Visuelle IdentitätminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMIRAME Agentur is responsible for the visual identity, design, and implementation of fors.earth's website and branding materials, including logo and visual design.
• Chemie³ (Sustainability Initiative of the German Chemical Industry)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth developed a practical guide on sustainability reporting for Chemie³, the sustainability initiative of the German chemical industry, supporting transparency and reporting in the sector.
• ClimadaminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth partnered with Climada (ETH Zurich) to deliver a joint Lunch & Learn webinar on climate risk analysis methodologies, combining consultancy expertise with academic risk modeling tools.
• Dornbach (Audit Firm)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth partnered with audit firm Dornbach to deliver a joint webinar on ESG risk and opportunity management, combining sustainability consulting with audit and assurance expertise.
• Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth co-hosted a webinar with HKPC to share experiences in corporate sustainability implementation, extending the firm's reach to Asian markets.
• Köhninger and timesarechangingminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerfors.earth combined forces with Köhninger and timesarechanging in an integrative consulting alliance for sustainable business practices, pooling expertise across consulting disciplines.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EcoAct: EcoAct is a European sustainability consultancy specializing in climate strategy, carbon accounting, and CSRD/CSRD-adjacent reporting. Comparable to Fors as a mid-sized specialty player targeting the same EU regulatory compliance demand.
• South Pole Group: South Pole is a global climate solutions and sustainability advisory firm offering strategy, carbon accounting, CSRD support, and nature/biodiversity services. Comparable to Fors in service portfolio and enterprise client focus, with broader geographic scale.
• FutureCamp Holding GmbH: FutureCamp is a German sustainability consulting group offering strategy, climate accounting, CSRD support, and ESG software. Comparable to Fors because it directly competes in the DACH CSRD/ESG advisory market with overlapping enterprise client segments.
• Quantis: Quantis is a sustainability consulting firm focused on environmental footprinting, science-based targets, and sustainable transformation strategy for large corporates. Comparable to Fors for enterprise sustainability strategy and science-driven advisory work.
• Schöffel & Partner / 2Celsius Group: 2Celsius (formerly Schöffel & Partner) is a German sustainability and climate strategy consultancy focused on decarbonization, CSRD, and supply chain due diligence. Direct competitor to Fors for DACH enterprise sustainability mandates, particularly in industrial and chemical sectors.
• Akzente GmbH: Akzente is a Munich-based sustainability and CSR consulting firm serving DAX companies, SMEs, and public-sector clients in the DACH region. It is one of the closest direct comparables to Fors in scale, geography, and service mix (strategy, reporting, communication, training).

Broad incumbents

• Environmental Resources Management (ERM): ERM is one of the world's largest pure-play sustainability and environmental consultancies, offering strategy, EHS, climate, and ESG services to global enterprises. Relevant as a large incumbent competing for the same multinational CSRD/ESG mandates Fors targets.
• Deloitte (Sustainability & Climate practice): Deloitte's Sustainability & Climate practice offers CSRD reporting, ESG strategy, supply-chain due diligence, and assurance services to large enterprises globally. Represents the Big 4 incumbent competing with Fors for DAX-level mandates.
• Carbon Trust: Carbon Trust is an established global sustainability and climate advisory firm working with corporates and governments on carbon strategy, reporting, and supply-chain sustainability. Broader incumbent with overlapping CSRD/climate services and similar target segments.
• Ramboll (Sustainability & ESG): Ramboll is a global engineering, design, and sustainability consultancy with strong European CSRD/ESG advisory offerings. Comparable as a broader incumbent that overlaps with Fors on enterprise sustainability strategy, climate risk, and reporting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf31qIPKL5SQZRwrhXeyF0A/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/18567985

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fors