Introducing EcoSwap: A Blue Earth Ventures Member Transforming Sustainable Gifting
Author: Freddie O'Shea Publish Date: May 7, 2025
We’re excited to welcome EcoSwap as a member of Blue Earth Ventures, a company that is redefining the gift card industry with its sustainability-first approach. Founded by Anthony Gutsa and Paul Zhu, EcoSwap provides an innovative platform offering multi-choice gift cards that support ethical and sustainable brands. EcoSwap is on a mission to make gifting more aligned with our environmental values, tackling the huge problem of waste and encouraging more responsible consumer behaviour.
The Founding Journey: From Matchmaking to Marketplace
The story of EcoSwap’s founding is an inspiring one. Anthony and Paul met on Y Combinator’s matchmaking platform, a “founder dating” service that connects entrepreneurs with complementary skills. Anthony, with his background in banking and finance, had the idea for a sustainable gift card platform but needed technical expertise to bring it to life. Paul, with his engineering and tech background, was the perfect match. Together, they set out to create EcoSwap, a platform that bridges the gap between sustainable consumer goods and businesses seeking to align their gifting and rewards programs with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG goals.
Their product solves two critical problems. First, the wastefulness of the traditional gifting system, where up to 60% of gifts end up in landfills. Second, the disconnect between businesses’ sustainability goals and their corporate gift card programs, often relying on big brands like Amazon or Microsoft that do not align with environmental values. EcoSwap allows consumers and businesses alike to choose from a wide range of certified sustainable brands, ensuring that the gifts they give are not only thoughtful but also aligned with their ethical values.
What Makes EcoSwap Stand Out
EcoSwap’s platform is built on choice and transparency. The brands available on EcoSwap’s platform are carefully vetted to ensure they meet high sustainability standards. Whether it’s vegan products, eco-friendly fashion, or ethical home goods, all EcoSwap’s partners are certified to ensure they are genuinely making a positive impact on people and the planet.
With over 80 brands already on board, including well-known names like The Body Shop, Forest Bikes, and Ocean Bottle, EcoSwap is growing rapidly. The company is focusing heavily on the B2B market, offering corporate gifting solutions for businesses looking to reward employees, incentivize customers, and align their gifting with their ESG initiatives.
The Road Ahead: Scaling for Impact
EcoSwap has already proven that its business model works, without external funding. The platform has been bootstrapped and growing month on month, with an impressive list of early corporate adopters such as Welsh Water, Islington Council, and Bupa. As EcoSwap moves towards its next stage of growth, it is positioning itself for a breakthrough year in 2025, with the ambition to become the UK’s number one sustainable gifting platform and expand internationally.
In addition to scaling their sales efforts, EcoSwap’s founders are keen to continue growing brand awareness and forming partnerships with more purpose-driven companies. Their goal is not just to profit but to make a tangible, positive difference in the world by supporting businesses and consumers who want to contribute to a more sustainable future.
EcoSwap at Blue Earth
As part of their involvement with Blue Earth Ventures, EcoSwap will be actively participating in the upcoming Blue Earth Forum during London Climate Action Week in June and the Blue Earth Summit in October. This is a fantastic opportunity for EcoSwap to connect with likeminded investors, partners, and businesses, further solidifying their place as a leader in the growing field of sustainable business solutions.
EcoSwap’s approach is not only smart but necessary. By offering consumers and businesses an ethical alternative to traditional gift cards, they are contributing to the wider movement towards a circular economy. And by growing through the support of the Blue Earth Ventures community, they are poised for continued success.
We are thrilled to have EcoSwap as a member of Blue Earth Ventures and look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and disrupt the gift card industry for good.
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To learn more about EcoSwap and their innovative approach to sustainable gifting, be sure to check out their website and stay tuned for more updates: https://ecoswap.uk/