Supporting Small Businesses on the Path to Net Zero: A Conversation with Rob Smallcombe, Founder of EcoHedge

At Net Zero Compare, we regularly speak with solution providers driving meaningful, scalable, and accessible change in the sustainability space. This time, our Co-Founder Karol Kaczmarek and Sustainability Research Analyst Lina Polina Martinuka sat down with Rob Smallcombe, the Founder of EcoHedge — a carbon accounting platform designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

From Data Pain Points to Climate Action: The Story Behind EcoHedge

EcoHedge was founded in 2022 to tackle a challenge Rob Smallcombe had seen before — a rising tide of data-driven compliance requirements hitting SMEs, with very little support in place to help them respond.

“Back in 2019, when GDPR came into force, I watched many SMEs struggle to understand how to manage and map personal data,” Rob said. “When we looked ahead, it became clear that carbon reporting was going to present a similar challenge — one centered around fragmented data across suppliers, tools, and business units. The emissions challenge is ultimately a data challenge.”

Rob and his co-founders realized early that what SMEs needed wasn’t just awareness or training — they needed a practical tool that could integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and help them collect, categorize, and report their emissions data with minimal friction.

Why SMEs? A Strategic Gap in the Market

Large enterprises tend to have the resources and regulatory obligations to tackle carbon accounting. But for SMEs — which make up the vast majority of global supply chains — the pressure to disclose emissions often comes not from the law, but from market forces.

“We deliberately focused on SMEs because they’re increasingly asked to report emissions as part of supplier tenders, even if they’re not directly regulated,” Rob explained. “That part of the market is underserved — and we saw a real opportunity to create value there.”

Rather than treating sustainability as a luxury or an optional ‘nice-to-have’, EcoHedge aims to embed it into the procurement process — helping SMEs stay commercially competitive while aligning with broader environmental goals.

Affordability and Functionality Without the Bloat

Unlike many carbon accounting platforms that target larger organizations with expansive dashboards and feature-heavy products, EcoHedge software was designed with minimalism in mind — only the essential features, nothing more.

“For small businesses, the biggest barrier is often cost and complexity,” Rob said. “They don't have time or budget to spend on full-blown enterprise solutions. So, we built EcoHedge to strip out unnecessary bells and whistles and keep it focused on what’s strictly needed — creating accurate emissions reports quickly and affordably.”

To keep the service accessible, EcoHedge offers a free starter plan and allows customers to cancel after generating their reports. As Rob put it, “We’d love customers to stay, but we’re not in the business of holding people hostage.”

What Makes EcoHedge Different from Other Platforms?

In a crowded space of carbon accounting tools, EcoHedge stands out by staying focused on the needs and limitations of small businesses.

“There are plenty of software providers doing great work, but many aim for enterprise-level clients,” Rob noted. “We’re laser-focused on SMEs that don't have in-house sustainability teams or large budgets. Our goal is not to overwhelm them with moral imperatives but to give them a tool that helps win tenders and meet expectations with minimal friction.”

That clarity of purpose — paired with a simple, spend-based integration model — makes EcoHedge uniquely practical for companies just starting their sustainability journey.

Planning Ahead: Forecasting and Reduction Support

While EcoHedge automates the reporting process, the company also offers personal consultancy support to help businesses use their data to create forward-looking emissions reduction plans.

“We still believe that human input matters,” Rob said. “Once you’ve got your data, it’s important to understand how to act on it. That’s where our consultancy services come in — we help SMEs figure out realistic decarbonization steps that suit their operations and budgets.”

Though AI may soon play a greater role in this area, EcoHedge remains committed to hands-on support as a differentiator — at least for now.

Helping SMEs Navigate Regulatory Complexity

One of the biggest challenges for SMEs is navigating the fragmented and fast-evolving landscape of ESG regulations and carbon reporting frameworks.

“Most of what small businesses encounter are survey-based requests from clients, often in different formats and under different standards,” Rob said. “We focus on making it easy to access the right data — exportable in multiple formats — and we’re always available to help them respond to specific needs, whether it’s ISO standards or GHG Protocol-based disclosures.”

Going Beyond the UK: Partnerships and Global Reach

Currently, EcoHedge’s main product — EcoHedge Express — is focused on the UK market. However, through a strategic partnership with Carbon + Alt + Delete, the company can serve sustainability consultants and clients globally.

“This partnership allows us to differentiate between user groups,” Rob explained. “EcoHedge is plug-and-play, designed for SMEs. Carbon + Alt + Delete is more flexible and suitable for consultants who need deeper customization, scenario modeling, and repeatable methodologies.”

The dual offering allows EcoHedge to address the full range of user maturity — from carbon accounting newcomers to seasoned professionals.

Scaling Up: Lessons Learned from the Growth Journey

Like many startups, EcoHedge initially tried to scale rapidly with venture capital support — but quickly learned that distribution matters more than noise.

“We invested in social media and conferences, but ultimately found that organic growth through search and inbound discovery was more effective,” Rob shared. “Conferences are useful for networking, but not ideal for cost-effective customer acquisition — especially when average deal sizes are small.”

The team is now focused on building stronger distribution partnerships and refining their onboarding funnel to support scalable growth.

What’s Next: New Leadership and Product Evolution

The next chapter for EcoHedge will involve expanding its technical capabilities, integrating with more data sources, and preparing the product for broader reach.

“We recently welcomed Max Federov as our new technology lead,” Rob said. “His experience with AI and product architecture will help us strengthen the platform and explore additional automation — particularly in emissions categorization and policy generation.”

Embracing AI — Carefully

EcoHedge already uses AI in categorizing financial data for emission estimation but is cautious about deploying AI just for the sake of it.

“With Max on board, we’re looking at how AI can meaningfully support SMEs — perhaps by generating reduction plans or even drafting sustainability policies. The goal is to automate intelligently, not just for appearances.”

Common Misconceptions About Carbon Accounting

According to Rob, one of the most common misunderstandings is that clients feel they’ll be judged for their footprint.

“Many small business owners come in apologetic, worried that their emissions will reflect poorly on them,” he said. “But our role is to facilitate transparency, not shame. The goal is clarity, not perfection.”

First Steps for Hesitant Businesses

Rob’s advice is simple: start now.

“don't wait until reporting becomes mandatory or more costly,” he advised. “Even a basic understanding of your emissions today can put you ahead of competitors tomorrow. It’s about paying pennies now or pounds later.”

Government Incentives and the Role of Policy

While the UK has a relatively mature sustainability landscape, Rob believes more support is needed for SMEs.

“Policies tend to put the burden on large enterprises, which then passes down to SMEs without corresponding support,” he said. “Incentives, funding mechanisms, and clearer frameworks for smaller businesses would make a huge difference.”

Final Word: A Practical Approach to Sustainability

EcoHedge is carving out a vital niche in the sustainability software space — offering SMEs a way to navigate carbon accounting without overwhelming cost or complexity. By bridging technology with practical support, the company is proving that even small players can take measurable steps toward a lower-carbon future — and do it in a way that aligns with their business goals.

To learn more about EcoHedge, visit: https://ecohedge.co.uk