Business Model and Feasibility Study for Sustainable Product Startups

Abstract

The growing emphasis on sustainability has encouraged the emergence of product-based startups that aim to balance economic viability with environmental and social responsibility. Developing an effective business model and conducting a comprehensive feasibility analysis are critical for ensuring the long-term success of such sustainable product ventures. This study examines the role of business model design and feasibility assessment in supporting the development and scalability of sustainable product startups. The research adopts a conceptual and analytical approach to evaluate key feasibility dimensions, including market potential, technical viability, financial sustainability, and environmental impact. The study highlights how integrated business models that align value creation with sustainability objectives enhance startup resilience and competitive advantage. The findings emphasize that systematic feasibility evaluation and adaptive business model strategies are essential for reducing risk, optimizing resource utilization, and achieving sustainable growth. The paper provides practical insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers involved in fostering sustainable startup ecosystems.

Introduction

Sustainable entrepreneurship has become increasingly important as product-based startups are expected to balance economic viability with environmental and social responsibility. Changing consumer preferences, regulatory pressures, and resource constraints compel startups to embed sustainability into their core business strategies. In this context, a well-defined business model and a comprehensive feasibility study are critical for ensuring long-term success, scalability, and competitiveness.

A business model explains how a startup creates, delivers, and captures value. For sustainable product startups, this extends beyond profit to include responsible resource use, reduced environmental impact, and social value creation. Effective business models align sustainability objectives with market demand, operational capabilities, and financial performance. Without such alignment, startups often struggle to grow or sustain themselves in competitive markets.

Feasibility analysis evaluates whether a sustainable product idea can be successfully transformed into a viable business. It assesses market, technical, financial, operational, and environmental feasibility, helping entrepreneurs identify risks, allocate resources efficiently, and make informed strategic decisions. Despite the growing relevance of sustainability-driven ventures, many fail due to weak business planning and inadequate feasibility evaluation, underscoring the need for integrated approaches.

The literature highlights that sustainable product startups face unique challenges such as higher initial costs and regulatory compliance, but sustainability can also provide differentiation and long-term competitive advantage. Research emphasizes sustainable business models that incorporate circular economy principles, strong value propositions, innovation, and efficient cost structures. However, limited empirical studies focus specifically on product-based sustainable startups, revealing a gap for integrated frameworks combining business model design and feasibility analysis.

Methodologically, the study adopts a descriptive and exploratory research design, using purposive sampling of sustainable startups, entrepreneurs, and experts. Primary data is collected through questionnaires and interviews, supported by secondary sources such as academic literature and industry reports. Data analysis employs descriptive and analytical techniques to examine the relationship between business model components and startup feasibility, while adhering to ethical research standards.

Conclusion

A. Summary of the Study This study examined the role of integrated business models and feasibility analysis in supporting the successful development of sustainable product startups. By combining strategic business model design with systematic feasibility assessment, the research highlights how startups can align economic objectives with environmental and social responsibility. The findings emphasize that sustainability-oriented ventures require structured planning beyond traditional profit-focused approaches. B. Key Insights on Business Model Design The study reveals that a well-defined business model acts as a foundation for sustainable startups by clarifying value propositions, revenue mechanisms, cost structures, and key activities. Incorporating sustainability principles into the business model enhances long-term competitiveness and stakeholder trust. Startups that embed environmental and social considerations into their core strategies are better positioned to achieve resilience and market acceptance. C. Importance of Feasibility Analysis Feasibility analysis was found to be critical in evaluating the practicality of sustainable product ideas. Market, technical, financial, and environmental feasibility assessments help entrepreneurs identify potential risks and resource constraints at an early stage. Such evaluations support informed decision-making and reduce the likelihood of failure during the startup’s growth phase. D. Implications for Sustainable Product Startups The study suggests that entrepreneurs should adopt an integrated approach where business model innovation and feasibility analysis are conducted simultaneously. This approach improves strategic alignment, optimizes resource utilization, and strengthens scalability potential. Policymakers, incubators, and investors can also use this framework to support sustainable ventures through targeted funding, mentoring, and infrastructure support. E. Limitations and Future Research Directions While this study provides valuable conceptual insights, it is limited by its reliance on secondary data and conceptual analysis. Future research may include empirical validation through case studies or quantitative analysis of sustainable startups across industries. Further studies can also explore sector-specific feasibility frameworks and the role of emerging technologies in enhancing sustainability outcomes.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Dr. Janvi Rathi, Kalyani Dhanraj Ingle . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.