What 2bdifferent does

2bdifferent GmbH & Co. KG is a German boutique sustainability consulting firm founded in 2011 and headquartered in Speyer, Germany. The firm provides advisory services to companies in the event and sports business, targeting two primary client segments: event-industry suppliers (agencies, exhibition builders, caterers, venues, technology and personnel service providers) seeking sustainable corporate development, and organizations that plan and award events (corporations, institutions, sports organizations) seeking resource-efficient event management. Core offerings include strategic sustainability consulting, ISO 20121:2024 certification advisory, sustainable event management guideline development, and EcoVadis/ESG reporting support.

The firm's differentiated asset is the proprietary SMAS (Sustainability Monitoring + Assessment System), an online-based value framework that analyzes all action fields relevant to sustainable business operations across economic, ecological, and social dimensions through KPI-based tracking. The firm also runs the UNESCO-recognized 'Nachhaltigkeitsberater 2.0' certification training in cooperation with GCB German Convention Bureau, and has developed the 'Sustainable Sportmanager' training system for sports management.

The business model is professional services: revenue is generated through consulting engagements, ISO 20121 certification projects, training programs, and strategic partnerships with industry associations (FAMAB, GCB, FAMAB Stiftung, Deutsche Umweltstiftung). The firm operates in Germany primarily with international reach, and is privately held with a founder-led partnership structure; no external funding is disclosed. The team of approximately 12 includes two managing directors, multiple partners, project staff, and advisors with credentials including ISO 20121 auditor certification, GCB sustainability advisor certification, Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitskodex trainer status, and university lecturing roles.

Name

2bdifferent

Legal name

2bdifferent GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://2bdifferent.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

2bdifferent is a German boutique sustainability consulting firm specializing in ISO 20121 certification, sustainable event management, and ESG advisory for event-industry suppliers and organizations planning events, serving enterprise and public-sector clients across Germany and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Consulting Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Compliance, Governance & Integrity Services (Safeguarding, Anti-Doping, Match Integrity) (MPAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Sustainability consulting
• Event management consulting
• ISO 20121 certification
• ESG strategy advisory
• Sports business sustainability

Headquarters

HQ city

Speyer

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sustainability Consulting Services: 2bdifferent provides consulting services to companies in the event and sports business for developing sustainable business strategies, ISO 20121 implementation, and sustainability management systems. Revenue is generated through professional consulting engagements with businesses, agencies, Messe/exhibition companies, catering companies, event locations, and corporations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

2bdifferent provides sustainability consulting services to companies in the event and sports industry, helping them develop sustainable business strategies, implement ISO 20121:2024 management systems, and design sustainable event management guidelines. Its services span sustainable corporate transformation for event service providers, agencies, exhibition builders, caterers, and venues, as well as guideline development, procurement criteria, and ESG reporting support for event-organizing organizations, complemented by certified training programs.

Product overview

2bdifferent is a sustainability consulting firm specializing in the event and sports business. The company offers a portfolio of consulting services centered around sustainable event management and corporate sustainability transformation. Core offerings include strategic sustainability consulting, ISO 20121:2024 certification support, and the online Sustainability Monitoring + Assessment System (SMAS) for performance tracking. Additional services encompass guideline development for sustainable events, sustainable corporate transformation advisory, and professional education programs including the GCB-certified 'Nachhaltigkeitsberater 2.0' training. The company positions itself as bridging practical business needs with sustainability requirements for tender compliance, regulatory adherence, and ESG reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nachhaltige Unternehmensentwicklung & Transformation Advisory service helping event service providers, agencies, exhibition construction companies, catering companies, technology and personnel service providers, and event locations develop sustainable business operations or transform their businesses with focus on profitability, structure, and demonstrability, including systematic handling of rising costs, regulatory compliance, tender-ready sustainability documentation, and preparation for audits and ratings such as EcoVadis and Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire.
• Nachhaltiges Eventmanagement & Guideline-Entwicklung Advisory service for organizations that plan, award, and are responsible for events, including corporations and institutions wanting to plan events resource- and cost-efficiently while contributing to overarching corporate goals. Delivers clear guidelines, decision frameworks, sustainability criteria for tenders, and criteria for sustainable event service provider selection integrated into procurement, budget, and control processes.
• ISO 20121:2024 Zertifizierungsberatung Consulting service for implementing the ISO 20121:2024 sustainable event management standard, including analysis of existing processes and structures, development of an ISO 20121-conformant management system, integration into existing workflows (e.g., purchasing, project management, reporting), preparation for audits and external requirements, and translation of standard requirements into practical guidelines and decision-making processes.
• Sustainability Monitoring + Assessment System (SMAS) Online-based value-driven sustainability monitoring and assessment system that analyzes all fields of action important for sustainable business operations (e.g., exhibition construction, catering, event location), measuring economic, ecological, and social performance through Key Performance Indicators and enabling KPI-based tracking of sustainable progress.
• Knowledge Transfer & Ausbildung (Nachhaltigkeitsberater 2.0 and university lectures) Education and training programs including the UNESCO-awarded 'Nachhaltigkeitsberater 2.0' certification program in cooperation with GCB German Convention Bureau, plus lectures at universities including DHBW (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg), IECA Mannheim, IST-Hochschule Düsseldorf, Deutsche Hotelakademie Köln, and TU Chemnitz, covering sustainable event management and CSR.

Quantifiable outcome

• Event Benchmark rating of 'B' achieved for MICE Club LIVE 2016 Sustainable Event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WUQMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026Strategic cooperation between 2bdifferent and WUQM to bundle competencies in sustainability, management systems and regulatory requirements (ESG, CSRD). Goal is to provide integrated consulting to companies and event industry stakeholders, systematically integrating events into existing ESG, compliance and management systems.
• Braunschweiger Veranstaltungsstätten GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026Integration of existing sustainability activities into an ISO 20121:2024 compliant management system for the company's venues including Volkswagen Halle and Eintracht-Stadion in Braunschweig.
• SKW SchwarzminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026Joint online webinar on 'EmpCo - Nachhaltige Eventkommunikation rechtssicher gestalten' covering EU EmpCo directive, UWG, green claims with legal framework, practical examples and recommendations for the event industry.
• Kulturamt Stuttgart (City of Stuttgart)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 20262bdifferent commissioned by the Cultural Office of Stuttgart to design and implement expert exchange on circular economy practices in the cultural sector, as part of Stuttgart's Circular Economy Strategy.
• JMT Deutschland GmbH & Healthcare ConventioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 20262bdifferent accompanies JMT and Healthcare Convention in ISO 20121 certification process for sustainable event organization. Supported by BAFA funding for SME consulting.
• FAMAB Kommunikationsverband e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Co-organization of annual FAMAB-Sustainability Summit, the first congress on sustainability in live communication. Joint education initiative 'sustainable Future Education' with FAMAB Stiftung. 2bdifferent co-developed the FAMAB sustainability program including 'Sustainable Company' and 'Sustainable Project' certifications.
• FAMAB StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Co-initiator of 'sustainable Future Education' education initiative for young professionals in event management. FAMAB Stiftung supports emissions reduction through reforestation projects in Panama.
• eventsofaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2014Location platform eventsofa and 2bdifferent bundle forces in Green Meeting area. Joint website green-meeting.eventsofa.de with tips, Green Meeting locations, and base checklist for sustainable event planning.
• GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment of 'Nachhaltigkeitsberater 2.0' (Sustainability Advisor 2.0) training concept for the event industry, UNESCO-recognized. Jürgen May developed the training curriculum. 2bdifferent partners with GCB for certified sustainability training.
• Deutsche Umweltstiftung (German Environmental Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJürgen May serves on the expert team of Deutsche Umweltstiftung for EcoCrowd crowdfunding platform for sustainable projects, especially for event and sports projects. Contributed to sustainable guidelines development.
• Stefan Lohmann (Live Entertainment Expert)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to optimize sustainability performance of Berlin Show Orchestra and sustainable Germany tour planning for a world-famous band. Firstclimate used for CO2 footprinting.
• CO2OL (Climate Company)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCO2OL supported MICE Club LIVE 2016 with CO2 balancing, event benchmarking, and Gold Standard certified climate protection project (reforestation in Panama).
• Berufsverband für Sportökonomie in Deutschland (VSD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint study on the significance of sustainability in sports business, conducted with SRH Hochschule Heidelberg.
• SRH Hochschule HeidelbergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for joint study on the significance of sustainability in sports business together with VSD.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MCI Group: Global events, meetings and association management firm with a sustainability consulting practice serving associations and corporate event organizers. Comparable in serving event-industry clients on sustainability strategy but at much larger scale and broader scope.
• BCD Meetings & Events: Global corporate meetings and events agency with sustainability and ESG advisory services for event programs. Comparable as a large incumbent offering sustainability consulting within a broader corporate event portfolio.
• VOK DAMS: Major German live-marketing and event agency with established sustainability/ESG practice and significant resources. Comparable as a larger German events-industry player with overlapping sustainability offerings, but operating across the full event production stack rather than pure advisory.

Others

• TÜV Rheinland: Global testing, inspection and certification body active in sustainability and management system audits, including ISO 20121. Comparable as an enabling/adjacent institution whose audit work 2bdifferent's ISO 20121 consulting feeds into.
• DQS Group: German-headquartered certification body that performs ISO 20121 (and ISO 14001/EMAS) audits. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant — 2bdifferent prepares clients for DQS-style audits, making it both an enabler and indirect partner/competitor.

Direct peers

• Greenview: Sustainability consultancy focused on hospitality, tourism and events, providing benchmarking, training and strategy. Comparable as a niche consulting firm with event/hospitality verticals and recurring benchmarking methodologies akin to SMAS.
• CO2OL (The Climate Company): German climate consulting firm specializing in carbon balancing for events, reforestation compensation, and event benchmarking. Already a documented implementation partner of 2bdifferent and directly comparable in the German event-sustainability niche.
• MeetGreen: US-based consultancy specializing in sustainable meetings and events, including ISO 20121-aligned advisory and event certification. Directly comparable as a specialized sustainability advisory for the events industry with a similar service portfolio.
• Sustainable Events Ltd: UK consultancy offering ISO 20121 implementation, event sustainability strategy, and training for event professionals. Closely comparable service stack and target audience to 2bdifferent.
• Positive Impact Events: UK-based sustainable event consultancy providing carbon footprinting, ISO 20121 consulting, and sustainability strategy for event organizers and venues. Highly comparable in scope, target customer (event organizers/venues), and methodology emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 2bdifferent