Conscious Consumers

Founded: 2009, launched 2010 By: Ben Gleisner, Melissa Keys Employs: 17 (full-time and part-time contractors and employees) Legal status: Limited liability company registered 2016, charity prior to that

What is Conscious Consumers?

Melissa Keys: Our vision is to see consumers and businesses working together for the good of people and the planet. We’ve created a system that makes it easy and rewarding for consumers and businesses that are committed to doing good, to connect.

Consumers join through our free smartphone app or website, pick issues important to them (workers’ rights, animal welfare, etc), and securely link their credit/debit card. Their values are communicated to registered retailers when they use their nominated card to makes purchases at those businesses, and retailers can reward them with vouchers for good spending. The app also highlights participating businesses in your area.

Businesses track consumers’ spending in their store(s), gaining insights into what their customers care about, and can get accredited for their sustainable practices. Once accredited, they can target automated marketing to consumers via our app.

Do you sense a growing appetite from consumers to support social

enterprises? It’s really taking off, especially among millennials who are often purpose driven. More people also want to work for organisations that are committed to more than just making profits.

What are your future plans? We’re in the middle of a capital raise to take CC to Britain. We’re also expanding our accreditation to industries beyond retail, and have loads of plans to make the user experience of our technology platform even better. Sign up and watch this space!