What Earthshine Group ApS does

Earthshine Group ApS is a Copenhagen-based boutique consultancy specialising in sustainability and circular economy transformation. Founded in 2006 and re-launched under its current form in February 2020, the firm is led by founder and CEO Mike Townsend, supported by trainer and circular economy specialist Katie Whalen. The company serves large enterprises, infrastructure groups, financial institutions, and academic partners across Denmark, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, mainland Europe, and the United States.

The firm's core intellectual assets are the proprietary Star System theory of transformation (developed over a decade), the 4-by-4 Business Transformer methodology, and the 'In the Loop' circular economy simulation game. Its offering spans six interconnected service lines: bespoke consultancy and research, tiered training and capability development programmes (including the open-enrolment 'Going Circular – Mission Possible!' three-day course at €1,600 per participant), keynote speeches, coaching and mentoring, advisory board services, and academic lectures delivered through partnerships with institutions such as Copenhagen Business School, Lund University, DIS Copenhagen, University of Oslo, and Northeastern University. Named clients include IKEA, eBay UK, Glanua, Kelly Bros International, Norsk Ombruk, Triodos Bank UK, Aviva UKGI, LoyaltyOne, and Mace Group, with project outcomes quantified in published case studies (e.g., €9.4 million in holistic benefits for the Norsk Ombruk remanufacturing model, and 29,000 tonnes of net CO2 reduction through the eBay UK eCAP project).

Earthshine operates as a founder-led, privately held Danish ApS with no disclosed external institutional investment. Distribution is almost entirely direct and relationship-based: the firm engages clients through referrals, thought leadership (Routledge-published books, white papers, blog, podcast appearances, keynotes), and academic networks, with all engagements scoped and priced individually. Public pricing is available only for open-enrolment training courses; enterprise work is quote-based. With approximately five employees, the firm runs as a high-margin expert practice rather than a scaled consulting platform.

Name

Earthshine Group ApS

Legal name

Earthshine Group ApS

Website

https://earthshine-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Earthshine Group ApS is a Copenhagen-based boutique consultancy that helps large enterprises, infrastructure firms, financial institutions, and academic partners execute circular economy, net-zero, and ESG transformations through bespoke advisory, training programmes, and proprietary frameworks such as the Star System.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Consulting

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), ESG Governance, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance Advisory (BPAHAFAJ), Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms (EUABAEAF)

Keywords

• Sustainability consultancy
• Circular economy advisory
• ESG strategy consulting
• Net zero advisory
• Sustainability training

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consultancy & Research Services: Fee-based consultancy engagements covering diagnostics, risk and opportunity analysis, business strategy, circular economy strategy, business model innovation, supply chain strategy, benefits case development, market and policy architecture, transformation planning, and white papers. Revenue is project-based and bespoke, aligned to client scope and engagement length.
2. Training & Capability Development Programmes: Leading-edge capability development programmes (Transformer Programmes) offered at three levels (First Steps, Intermediate, Advanced). Programmes are offered as generic, project-based, or challenge-focused formats, delivered at the ESG Training Centre in Copenhagen, onsite at client facilities, or as pop-up business schools. Revenue is fee-per-programme or per-seat.
3. Open-Enrolment Courses: Public courses such as 'Going Circular – Mission Possible!' (3-day course, €1,600 per person + VAT) with a maximum of 20 participants. 10% discount for booking 3+ places. Revenue is per-participant with group discounts available.
4. Keynote Speeches: Fee-based keynote speeches at corporate events, industry and academic conferences, and flagship project launches. Customised to client needs. Revenue is event-based and varies by scope.
5. Coaching & Mentoring: Bespoke coaching or mentoring programmes for business and sustainability leaders, enabling effective sustainability transformations. Revenue is programme-based.
6. Advisory Board Services: Senior directors join client advisory boards to provide strategic input, quality insights, constructive challenge, and risk reduction. Revenue is retainer or engagement-based.
7. Lectures & Academic Courses: Lectures, courses, modules and seminars at undergraduate and master's level, integrated into partner university programmes. Revenue is engagement-based.
8. Publications & White Papers: Revenue from authored publications including 'The Quiet Revolution' (Routledge, 2026) and 'Reframing the Game' (Routledge, 2015). White papers such as 'Don't Waste Your Time on Net-Zero!' (February 2026) further establish thought leadership and drive consulting engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Earthshine Group provides bespoke sustainability and circular economy consultancy, training programmes, keynote speeches, coaching, advisory board services, and academic lecturing to large enterprises, governments, and academic institutions. Core deliverables cover diagnostics, circular economy strategy, business model innovation, supply chain transformation, ESG integration, net-zero pathway development, and capability development, structured around four branded transformation programmes: Net Zero and BEYOND, Full CIRCLE, ReSUPPLY, and ESG and BEYOND.

Product overview

Earthshine Group ApS is a sustainability consultancy offering a portfolio of interconnected capability development programmes and professional services. The core offerings include: (1) Training programmes such as 'Going Circular – Mission Possible!' (3-day intensive) and 'The 4-by-4 Business Transformer' (challenge-focused programme); (2) Professional services including Consultancy & Research, Keynote Speeches, Coaching & Mentoring, and Advisory Board Services; and (3) Specialised transformation services under brands like 'Net Zero and BEYOND', 'Full CIRCLE', 'ReSUPPLY', and 'ESG and BEYOND'. The company also provides educational programmes through Lectures & Courses at academic institutions. All offerings centre on supporting circular and sustainability transformations in business, economy, and society through capability development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Net Zero and BEYOND Service line helping organisations move beyond net zero to real zero and carbon negative, including Rapid Climate Action Review, Strategy Development, Impact Modelling, and Capability Development. Targeted at large enterprises facing climate risk and reputational exposure.
• Full CIRCLE Circular economy transformation services including Full CIRCLE Review, Circular Strategy, and Full CIRCLE Transformer, designed to develop effective pathways to circular transformation for enterprise clients.
• ReSUPPLY Supply chain transformation services including ReSUPPLY Review, Supply Chain Transformer, and Impact Modelling for developing future-oriented sustainable and circular supply chain strategies.
• ESG and BEYOND

Quantifiable outcome

• €9.4 million total holistic benefits quantified for Norsk Ombruk remanufacturing model (2016)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Sustainability CommunityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025Earthshine Group joined The Sustainability Community in December 2025 — a network of over 20,000 sustainability leaders united by the mission to accelerate the green economy and create a fairer, low-carbon future. Membership supports Earthshine's thought leadership reach, networking with sustainability professionals, and potential lead generation for consulting engagements.
• Copenhagen Business School ExecutivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Earthshine Group announced an exciting new partnership programme with Copenhagen Business School Executive in November 2025. The partnership is focused on delivering sustainability transformation education and programmes to business executives, combining Earthshine's practitioner expertise with CBS's executive education platform. The announcement also referenced active recruitment for roles on new projects in Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, and UK.
• University of Oslo (SMART Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMike Townsend serves on the Advisory Board of the EU Horizon 2020 funded SMART (Sustainable Market Actors for Responsible Trade) research project led by the University of Oslo. The project involves 25 research institutions from around the world and focuses on promoting sustainable development within a circular, low-emissions economy, compatible with planetary boundaries. Mike provides strategic guidance, insights, constructive review and challenge, and acts as an ambassador.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EcoAct (Schneider Electric): EcoAct is a climate consultancy now part of Schneider Electric Sustainability Business, offering net-zero strategy, GHG accounting, and transition planning — overlaps with Earthshine's Net Zero and BEYOND service line but at much larger scale with software tooling.
• ERM (Environmental Resources Management): ERM is a global environmental and sustainability consultancy offering strategy, transformation, and impact services to large enterprises — a broader incumbent with overlapping capability in sustainability strategy, circular economy, and supply chain advisory.

Direct peers

• Metabolic: Metabolic is a Netherlands-based circular economy and sustainability consultancy advising businesses on circular strategy and systems transformation — directly comparable to Earthshine's Full CIRCLE and circular economy offerings.
• Circle Economy: Circle Economy is a Dutch circular economy consultancy and impact organisation; Katie Whalen previously served as its Circular Design Program Lead. Direct peer on circular economy strategy, training, and circular business model innovation.
• South Pole Group: South Pole is a major sustainability solutions provider offering climate strategy, carbon advisory, and sustainable business consulting to enterprises — directly comparable to Earthshine's combination of net-zero strategy and circular economy advisory for large corporates.
• Forum for the Future: Forum for the Future is a sustainability non-profit working with global businesses on systems change, circular economy, and capability development — directly comparable to Earthshine's transformation programmes and the Sustainability Mindset offering.
• Anthesis Group: Anthesis is a global sustainability consultancy delivering ESG strategy, circular economy advisory, and capability development to multinational corporates — comparable to Earthshine's integrated sustainability transformation and capability development services.
• Systemiq: Systemiq is a systems change consultancy working on circular economy, climate, and sustainable business transformation with corporates and governments — comparable to Earthshine's five interconnected realms approach and transformation strategy work.
• Carbon Trust: Carbon Trust is an established sustainability and net-zero advisory firm working with enterprises on decarbonisation, circular economy, and ESG strategy — closely aligned with Earthshine's transformation, net-zero, and supply chain offerings, particularly for European clients.
• BSR: BSR is a global sustainable business network and consultancy advising enterprises on sustainability strategy, supply chain, and ESG — closely comparable to Earthshine's enterprise-focused sustainability transformation and supply chain advisory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ESG_Transform
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/earthshine-group-aps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Earthshine Group ApS