Treeapp is one of the largest green-tech startups in the UK and is committed to creating a positive impact on the planet through tree planting. Their reforestation efforts have helped restore diverse plant species, provide habitats for wildlife, and, by partnering with local communities, created employment opportunities that strengthen local economies—from Tanzania to Nepal.
Treeapp launched on Earth Day in 2020 by co-founders Jules Buker and Godefroy Harito, both Forbes 30 under 30 honourees. Harito, half Greek and half French, grew up in Athens and was shaken by the Attica wildfires in 2018 that hit close to home and displaced people he knew, bringing the urgency of climate action into sharp focus and motivating him to take action.
Buker, half Turkish, was deeply affected by Turkey’s 2019 reforestation campaign, which planted 11 million trees in a day—90% of which later died due to poor planning, highlighting the need for sustainable reforestation efforts. Since launching, Buker and Harito’s team at Treeapp has helped plant over 5 million trees in 20+ countries.
Making reforestation effortless for both people and businesses
“Our platform offers an accessible, impactful solution for individuals and businesses looking to make a tangible environmental difference but who often either don’t know where to start, or do not have the time or financial flexibility,” explains Cassie Daley, marketing manager at Treeapp.
Treeapp is thoughtfully designed to make reforestation effortless and rewarding. With the Treeapp mobile app, individuals are able to support tree planting for free in under a minute each day by watching curated ads from sustainable and eco-friendly brands. Users also gain access to exclusive discounts from the mission-aligned brands and third party advertisers. Treeapp users can track their impact, monitor carbon absorption, maintain planting streaks, and compete with friends on the leaderboards. The B2B side of the business grew as app users embraced the idea and wanted to bring it into their own companies.
Treeapp partners with organisations to integrate tree planting into their business model and establishing private forests for brands—whether it’s planting a tree for every product sold or every employee hired. “This way, we help companies grow their impact as they grow their business, creating a ripple effect that amplifies environmental impact on a much larger scale,” says Daley. Since launching, Treeapp has partnered with over 1,500 businesses, including the Ministry of Justice, Marriott, DPD, The Economist, Allbirds, HelloFresh, Wagamama, L’Occitane, and L’Oréal.
Finding an office space designed for long-term growth
Buker and Harito, Treeapp’s co-founders, have long been members of WeWork, even before launching Treeapp. “I always really liked WeWork,” says Buker. “I loved the spaces; the staff are always so nice, and there’s a great community of other entrepreneurs building cool stuff.” So, when it came time to find an office space, WeWork was an obvious choice.
“As a growing tech company trying to save our world’s forests, we needed a space to put down roots but with the flexibility to expand,” says Harito. The co-founders moved into 3 Waterhouse Square in 2018. And they’ve only grown since.
“The collaborative environment WeWork offered was a perfect fit for our team; a hub to bring everyone together and maintain a strong company culture,” says Daley. They’ve expanded their office space three times since joining.
“The inherent flexibility of WeWork means we have been able to grow our business and team and scale our footprint without the hassle of having to switch buildings,” notes Buker. “Plus, the building itself is stunning, with a real London charm that adds to the overall experience and makes it an inspiring place to work,” Daley adds.
And as the team expanded, so did their user base. Treeapp’s mobile app is now in the hands of over 150,000 users actively supporting businesses focused on sustainability or contributing to reforestation efforts worldwide.
Cultivating an environment that inspires collaboration
Before planting their roots at WeWork, the Treeapp team worked remotely. Now, working together brought a whole new level of collaboration and energy to their work. “WeWork is the kind of space that inspires collaboration, focus, and creativity, all things we value at Treeapp,” says Daley.
They use their WeWork space as a collaborative hub with areas for focused work and group discussions, supporting their culture of open communication, continuous learning, and adaptability. The flexible setup allows their team to adapt the environment to their needs—all while they work tirelessly to help save the environment.
Being surrounded by other creative and forward-thinking businesses only adds momentum to their team’s innovation. “The open, collaborative spaces encourage the exchange of ideas and allow us to connect with a diverse range of professionals, sparking new ways of thinking,” shares Daley. Between organised events and facilitated networking, the Treeapp team leans into WeWork’s energising, inclusive environment.
“The community team truly goes above and beyond to create a space that fosters connection,” says Buker. Some of the companies they’ve met at WeWork have even become partners, helping Treeapp expand their impact in ways they hadn’t imagined.
Powering climate action for a healthier planet at WeWork
“It’s been great working at WeWork, and we definitely intend to stay here in the future,” says Buker.
As the Treeapp team looks forward, they’re not just focusing on planting more trees. They’re actively rethinking how they fight climate change.
“Climate change is changing the way we plant trees,” explains Harito, who notes that places that used to support certain species are now too warm for them to survive, making it vital that their team adapts to ensure reforestation efforts stay resilient. “That’s why it’s great to have WeWork as our workplace partner,” says Harito. “WeWork looks after us, and we look after our company. That’s the beauty of it.”
“We’re making a global impact, and it all starts right here in the office,” adds Buker.
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