🌄Beyond Infinite Growth

Growth is often viewed as infinite, whereas in reality we are increasingly seeing how excessive growth leads to the depletion of the Earth’s resources. Within the framework of infinite growth, the well-being of people and the Earth is often pushed aside in favor of monetary prosperity.

The post-growth movement demonstrates that prosperity is broader in scope and that our economy can be transformed to prioritize well-being. Post-growth entrepreneurs are working toward this future by redefining the roles of businesses and technology within a post-growth framework.

There is an emerging academic field dedicated to defining “post-growth.” However, this often remains theoretical and abstract, meaning it offers no practical guidance to entrepreneurs themselves. Motivated by the need to translate “post-growth” into practice and by the unique role that entrepreneurs can play in this, I investigated the experiences of post-growth entrepreneurs and the practices they implement to shape their businesses. The results showed that there are many differences among post-growth entrepreneurs in terms of their practices, motivations, and direction.

Each participant was a post-growth entrepreneur in their own way. For example, all participants avoided non-extractive methods and venture capital as much as possible. These were replaced by bootstrapping, social investors, or the sharing economy. Furthermore, the participants were driven by a social mission, ranging from sustainability to equality to a safer online environment.

The participants valued helping people and did so in a way that fit their context. Finally, technology played an important role. Approaches to dealing with it varied, but the participants felt it was important to use their resources consciously and intentionally. For example, some chose to distance themselves from major social media platforms and focus on ethical alternatives.

Image from the Post-Growth Entrepreneurship track by Melanie Rieback, 2022—EVRgreen founder Lindy was part of the first PGE cohort

This diversity underscores that this form of entrepreneurship is still evolving, but it also highlights what makes entrepreneurs so vital in this transition: their adaptability and innovation. Each participant faced their own challenges, but the discussions revealed promising strategies for overcoming them:

Focus on where you can make the biggest impact

Many of the participants said that they often had limited resources, especially in the early stages. Although this was a challenge, many participants were still able to get the most out of their businesses by starting small and responding to the needs of their community. Impact often begins locally.

Talk to other entrepreneurs

Participants often feel they receive little support from the traditional side of their field, which gives them the impression that they are on their own. The opposite is true, however: there is an entire community of post-growth entrepreneurs who support and learn from one another.

Don't be afraid to experiment

The participants said that they themselves often don’t have all the answers yet. That’s why they frequently experiment with different ideas and structures, in order to shape their businesses in a way that suits their situation and needs. Post-growth entrepreneurship is still a relatively new topic, and these experiments help to shape the broader concept in meaningful ways.

There's still a lot to learn about post-growth, but these entrepreneurs are already well on their way!

Would you like to discuss post-growth, entrepreneurship, or do you have an idea for a post-growth future? We’d love to talk more ▼