ESG for SMEs – Structured and easy to do.

Starboard SME Software

The Starboard SME software is specifically designed for the VSME standard and helps small and medium-sized enterprises implement their sustainability reporting in a simple, structured, and transparent way. Al-enhanced it provides clear guidance aligned with regulatory requirements, walks users step by step through all relevant topics, and significantly reduces administrative burden. This makes ESG reporting manageable even without prior knowledge.

What does ESG and ESRS mean?

Why ESG?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance—the three key areas of modern sustainable corporate management. Companies must increasingly disclose how they take the environment, social responsibility, and good corporate governance into account.

 

What is VSME?
The Voluntary Standard for Small and Medium Enterprises (VSME) is a voluntary EU standard that enables SMEs to prepare sustainability reports in a clearly structured, practical, and simplified way-without the high level of effort required under the CSRD.| Our software helps you implement this standard fully, correctly, and in a clear and understandable way.

VSME reporting that measurably reduces your workload.

Starboard SME helps SMEs implement VSME requirements clearly and significantly reduce the effort required for ESG reporting.

All VSME-Steps


From materiality assessment and KPIs to structured report creation.

1 central database

For ESG, CO₂, and group data across all units: Consolidated & auditable.

2 ESG Experts

Set-up, methodology, audit processes, and reporting deadlines: supported by AI-supported analyses and templates.

Maximum support. Measurable results.

Starboard SME Features

ESG.DNA Starboard SME is the smart ESG solution for SMEs: AI-supported ESG scoring, materiality assessment, and benchmarking provide a solid basis for decision-making. Modular—from a starter package to the mid-market module—with intuitive operation, CO₂ management, templates, and expert support—always GDPR-compliant and up to date.
VSME materiality assessment & AI support
Prioritization of relevant sustainability topics based on VSME logic—transparent, efficient, and supported by AI.
ESG-Status & VSME-Scoring
Transparent classification of sustainability maturity in line with the VSME structure—providing guidance for targets and measures.
Sector-Benchmarking
Comparison of key sustainability KPIs with relevant market peers to identify improvement potential.
Integrated CO₂ accounting (Scopes 1–3) (optional)
Clear capture and assessment of emissions (Scopes 1–3) to complement VSME reporting.
Intuitive Bedienung & Wissensmodule

Clearly structured software guidance aligned with VSME requirements, supported by practical explanations and practical support.

Virtual onboarding & fast support
Direct access to ESG experts for the setup, analysis, and preparation of voluntary sustainability reports in accordance with VSME.

Discover our ESRS software now

See in detail what features Starboard Enterprise software offers and how it guides you through all steps of ESRS reporting in a structured manner.

Pain Points & how we solve them

ESRS reporting is complex and demanding. We make the key challenges transparent and show how they can be efficiently solved with clear processes and digital solutions.

Hohe bürokratische Komplexität

 

Die Vielzahl an Vorgaben, Begriffen und Dokumentationsanforderungen rund um VSME kann schnell unübersichtlich werden und kostet wertvolle Zeit

Strukturierte VSME-Führung

 

 

Starboard SME strukturiert alle relevanten Offenlegungsbereiche und führt Schritt für Schritt durch die Anforderungen.

Time-consuming data collection

Nachhaltigkeitsinformationen liegen oft verteilt in Excel-Tabellen, E-Mails oder Abteilungen – was den Überblick erschwert und den Prozess verlangsamt.

Fokus auf das Wesentliche

Eine klare Gliederung und eine KI-gestützte Wesentlichkeitsanalyse zeigen sofort, welche ESG-Themen für Ihr Unternehmen relevant sind.

Limited resources

 

Gerade KMU stehen vor der Herausforderung, ESG-Anforderungen neben dem Tagesgeschäft zu bewältigen, ohne zusätzliche Teams oder hohe externe Kosten aufzubauen.

Schnell zum VSME-Bericht

Vorlagen, intuitive Nutzung und fachliche Unterstützung sorgen für effiziente, DSGVO-konforme Reports.

Clarity before the next step.

The perfect starting point for your ESG Journey.

Want to take a strategic approach to sustainability, but unsure where you stand? Our free ESG self-assessment delivers a clear initial assessment of your ESG position compared to your industry - in just a few minutes. Within 48 hours, you will also receive a personalised evaluation with specific recommendations for action.

In collaboration with a specialised AI partner, ESGbot, we integrate AI-supported analysis expertise to prepare your results precisely, automatically, and based on current regulatory requirements.

Check ESG status. Identify potential. Plan next steps.

Our Solutions

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Service

Your Sustainability Report

You will receive a complete, legally compliant and audit-ready sustainability report – including a double materiality assessment, data collection, KPIs, and AI-supported preparation. Our software runs in the background; we guide you through the key steps and take care of the rest. This way, you can report quickly, securely, and without the need for extensive familiarization with tools and EU regulations.

ESG report – complete & audit-ready

Complete preparation tailored to your company’s size and obligations, with clearly defined points of involvement and minimal effort.

Structured ESG process

All steps from materiality to KPIs are presented in a clear and standardized way.

AI-supported content + expert review

Automated preparation of text and data, professionally reviewed and individually tailored.

Efficient, resource-saving reporting

No internal ESG team required. Clear deadlines and minimal time investment—without complex tools.

Clear, easy-to-understand transparency

Relevant requirements explained clearly—exactly as much as needed to make confident decisions.

CO₂-Management (optional)

Complete Scope 1–3 emissions accounting, plus concrete measures.

Report in your corporate design

Professionally designed and ready for immediate publication.

Reusable data foundation.

Einmal eingerichtet, sinkt der Aufwand in den Folgejahren massiv.

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Software

Starboard Enterprise

Starboard Enterprise is the ESG software for companies that need to comply with statutory disclosure requirements. It helps you structure data, manage the entire reporting process, and meet ESRS requirements—clear, scalable, and audit-ready.

Double materiality assessment & AI support

Relevant ESG topics in line with ESRS, including impact, risk, and financial perspectives—with clearly traceable assessment steps.

ESG baseline assessment, scoring & gap analysis

Overview of ESG maturity, regulatory gaps, and the measures required for strategy and reporting.

Integrated CO₂ accounting (Scopes 1–3) (optional)

Complete emissions capture and calculation in line with the GHG Protocol, including emission factors.

Audit-ready data structures & auditor communication

Transparent evidence, consistent data, and version-controlled documentation for audit and assurance.

Intuitive use & knowledge base

Step-by-step guidance through all ESRS requirements, with definitions, templates, and AI support.

Virtual onboarding & expert support

Expert guidance for setup, materiality, data collection, and report preparation.

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Software

Starboard SME

ESG.DNA Starboard SME is the smart ESG solution for SMEs: AI-supported ESG scoring, materiality assessment, and benchmarking provide a solid basis for decision-making. Modular—from a starter package to the mid-market module—with intuitive operation, CO₂ management, templates, and expert support—always GDPR-compliant and up to date.

VSME materiality assessment & AI support

Prioritization of relevant sustainability topics based on VSME logic—transparent, efficient, and supported by AI.

ESG-Status & VSME-Scoring

Transparent classification of sustainability maturity in line with the VSME structure—providing guidance for targets and measures.

Sector-Benchmarking

Comparison of key sustainability KPIs with relevant market peers to identify improvement potential.

Integrierte CO₂-Bilanzierung (optional)

Clear capture and assessment of emissions (Scopes 1–3) to complement VSME reporting.
(Scope 1–3) zur Ergänzung des VSME-Reportings.

Intuitive operation & knowledge modules

Clearly structured software guidance aligned with VSME requirements, supported by practical explanations and practical support.

Virtual onboarding & fast support

Direct access to ESG experts for the setup, analysis, and preparation of voluntary sustainability reports in accordance with VSME.

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Service

ESG Office

Outsource your ESG management to a trusted partner and transform sustainability into a driver of resilience and long-term value. We take full ownership—from strategy implementation and action planning to audit-ready reporting—delivering a complete, compliant yearly sustainability report quickly and cost-effectively. AI-supported processes which integrate double materiality, ESG risks and opportunities, data collection, and KPI management allow us to provide your company with the sustainability department your company deserves.

Holistic ESG management (ongoing)

Strategy, control, and further development of all ESG topics from a single source.

Reporting & Compliance (VSME / ESRS)

Double materiality analysis, risks & opportunities, KPIs, benchmarking, and complete VSME and ESRS reports.

CO₂ monitoring & data management

Structured emissions recording and ongoing ESG data maintenance based on company data provision (time required approx. ¼ FTE).

CO₂ monitoring & data management

Identification, assessment, and reduction of ESG risks by experts.

ESG communication & public image

Website content, ESG communication strategy, 
stakeholder and customer communication.

ESG rating preparation

Targeted preparation for ratings, inquiries from customers, banks, and partners.

Training & internal empowerment

Training for employees and management on relevant ESG topics.

Data protection & governance support

Consideration of relevant data protection and governance requirements in the ESG context.

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Why ESG.DNA?

ESG.DNA GmbH is a specialised service company that supports companies in the development, optimisation and communication of sustainability profiles, strategies and reports, in order to fulfil the ESG-related requirements of stakeholders such as customers, suppliers, investors/lenders and employees.

As a partner to banks and financial service providers, companies, associations and their members, as well as auditors and consultants, ESG.DNA develops solutions for the specific ESG challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Our partners

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Erfahrungen unserer Kund:innen

As a biotechnology company, we are faced with the challenge of meeting the regulatory requirements of ESRS reporting while developing a sound, long-term sustainability strategy. The ESG.DNA Starboard tools have proven to be an indispensable tool for us. They provide us with the structure and transparency we need to efficiently meet the complex ESRS requirements, and help us to accurately capture and analyse relevant data.

Michael Schneiders

Member of the Management Board , BRAIN Biotech AG

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Erfahrungen unserer Kund:innen

‘We are at the beginning of our journey towards a sustainability report and a double materiality analysis, and we are already excited about our collaboration with ESG.DNA. The ESG Starboard Tools are intuitive to use and provide us with exactly the support we need to effectively address our sustainability goals. We feel we are in good hands and look forward to the next steps with ESG.DNA at our side.’

Dirk Bäcker

CEO of Mr. Wash Autoservice AG

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Erfahrungen unserer Kund:innen

‘For us as a leasing company, the requirements of our refinancing banks with regard to ESG reports are crucial. The ESG.DNA Starboard tools enable us to aggregate and present all relevant ESG data in a precise and transparent manner. This strengthens the trust of our financing partners, who are increasingly incorporating ESG criteria into their decisions. With our partner ESG.DNA, we meet these expectations efficiently and reliably.’

Udo F. Mann

Managing Director, FML FINANZIERUNGS- UND MOBILIENLEASING GMBH & CO. KG

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Erfahrungen unserer Kund:innen

‘We are grateful for the support of ESG.DNA in the preparation of our sustainability report. Thanks to the expertise of the consultants, we were able to develop and report on a precise sustainability strategy based on the double materiality analysis. We are proud of the result – a report that documents our commitment, goals and vision for a future worth living. We could not have achieved this without ESG.DNA as a competent partner at our side.’


Lennart Maack

Geschäftsleiter & Prokurist, IndustriebedarfNiemann-Laes GmbH

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ESG solutions, made for you

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