How to qualify for social enterprise certification

For many organizations working toward social good, obtaining official recognition can be a powerful catalyst for growth, trust, and funding. This case study explores how Green Roots, a sustainability-focused startup in Abu Dhabi, successfully navigated the process of qualifying for Social Enterprise Certification with support from Athar+.

Key Takeaways

Certification opens doors to funding, partnerships, and credibility

A structured support system is crucial for navigating complex qualification paths

The right community and resources can turn a startup into a certified change agent

Context

Founded in 2022 by environmental science graduates, Green Roots aimed to tackle food waste by repurposing surplus produce into eco-friendly consumer goods like compost kits and biodegradable packaging. While the team had passion and a viable product line, they struggled to gain formal recognition and unlock larger funding opportunities.

Green Roots learned about the Social Enterprise Certification pathway in the UAE, designed to validate the social impact and governance of mission-driven businesses. However, the founders were unsure where to begin — the requirements were extensive and the process, unfamiliar.

Solution

Green Roots joined Athar+ in early 2023, seeking both workspace and guidance. Through Athar+’s tailored business advisory services, they were matched with a dedicated impact strategist who worked closely with them over six months. The support included:

A compliance roadmap aligned with local authority guidelines
Templates for impact reporting, governance policies, and stakeholder engagement
Weekly mentoring sessions and pitch training
Workshops on legal structure optimization and transparency requirements

Additionally, Green Roots participated in a capacity-building bootcamp hosted at Athar+ focusing on social impact measurement and sustainable scaling.

Impact

By the end of 2023, Green Roots had:

Officially qualified for Social Enterprise Certification
Secured AED 300,000 in grant funding from a regional impact investor
Formed partnerships with two local municipalities for waste management pilots
Increased their staff from 3 to 9 full-time employees

Today, Green Roots continues to scale its operations and credits Athar+ with accelerating its legitimacy and readiness as a recognized impact business.