The world of work is changing, driven by new values and priorities. This evolution stems primarily from two factors: one generational and one contextual. On one hand, young people — especially Millennials and Gen Z — who will soon make up the majority of the global workforce and who place great value on flexibility and work-life balance, with a strong emphasis on mental health and wellbeing in general, favouring hybrid models that combine remote and in-office work. On the other hand, the effects of the pandemic have accelerated these trends, extending them to people of all ages who have reassessed the importance of personal wellbeing after experiencing smart working.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the world of work

Environmental and social sustainability has become an essential criterion both for individuals' career choices and for the performance of organisations. Research by Marsh McLennan and Harvard Business School highlights that companies with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance attract and retain talent more effectively and show greater productivity.

In response to these new needs, numerous startups offer innovative solutions that are useful in supporting not only workers, but also organisations themselves, facilitating the transition towards more flexible and sustainable models. Some of these are part of LifeGate Way, an ecosystem that supports and connects naturally sustainable startups.

5 startups innovating the world of work with sustainability in mind

• Smace
• Trainect
• Qomprendo
• Yumi
• Climat.ly

Smace

Smace brings the concept of smart working for companies back to its original meaning, combining flexibility and efficiency through a platform that offers workspaces and aggregated services in particularly beautiful locations. Among the solutions on offer are floating offices on catamarans, retreats at mountain resorts and other unique environments for combining work and relaxation. This not only simplifies the organisation of off-site meetings and retreats for companies, but also aims to promote people's wellbeing, fostering a new vision of the working environment that meets the need for flexibility and discovery.

Trainect

Trainect is an Italian startup that promotes the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of employees in the workplace, linking it to social responsibility. Through its platform, it offers a range of multimedia content created by experts and coaches — such as videos, podcasts and blogs — that guide users in improving their health and wellbeing within the company.

Centred on gamified dynamics that stimulate interactions between colleagues and reward improvements, Trainect converts activities into donations for sustainability projects, such as reforestation or support for disadvantaged communities, thus integrating personal wellbeing and environmental and social commitment into a circular and responsible business model.

Qomprendo

Qomprendo is an innovative tool that harnesses artificial intelligence to enhance corporate wellbeing. The platform monitors and analyses employees' mood and sense of belonging through real-time feedback collection and predictive analysis, also incorporating a built-in virtual coach and gamification techniques to support employees' personal development and strengthen the sense of community.

Through these features, Qomprendo helps companies to quickly identify critical areas, improve communication and participation, and promote a positive and proactive environment that fosters the organisation's growth and resilience.

Yumi

Yumi is a fully customisable app designed to improve engagement and personal development in work teams through "digital nudging", where nudging means "a gentle push".

The app enables anonymous monitoring of interactions within organisations, with the aim of increasing their effectiveness. Based on the data collected, Yumi provides prompts and suggestions that help employees to recognise and modify their own behaviours spontaneously, promoting a more positive and productive working environment. In addition, the real-time insights offered give managers valuable information to guide organisational change and improve the overall experience.

Climat.ly

Climat.ly aims to accelerate the shift towards sustainability, offering platforms and apps that educate and engage businesses on environmental and social issues.

The claim Learn, Play, Act reflects the mission of transforming playful learning into concrete actions and meaningful change; indeed, Climat.ly is based on the concept of "learning by gamification". Its aim is to make sustainability education engaging and impactful, helping companies to implement sustainable strategies through interactive experiences that stimulate active involvement and critical reflection. Climat.ly also supports companies that need to draw up documentation for their sustainability report.