The conversation around sustainability often feels like it’s tailored for global corporations. But for Sanders Lazier, CEO of Carbonhound, the opportunity lay elsewhere: small and mid-sized businesses that lack the resources of Fortune 500 firms yet still face mounting climate regulations and customer expectations.
On The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast, Sanders describes his mission as providing "the QuickBooks for carbon" — a platform designed to make carbon accounting simple, scalable, and accessible. Carbonhound is helping businesses navigate a rapidly changing landscape where compliance with climate regulations is no longer optional.
Why Carbonhound matters
“Regulatory pressures are reshaping industries,” Sanders explains in the episode. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and net-zero procurement goals in Canada are clear signals of what’s ahead. These frameworks don’t just affect big businesses — they ripple down supply chains.
"We help businesses see the risks and opportunities ahead."
For mid-market companies, failing to address sustainability could cost them big. “For example, aluminum imported into the EU could see a 45% price increase,” Sanders notes. “Meanwhile, sustainable products like recycled aluminum can command a premium, making it a competitive advantage.”
Carbonhound’s platform bridges this gap by automating data flows, integrating financial and climate insights, and giving businesses actionable recommendations. “We help businesses see the risks and opportunities ahead, whether it’s saving 45% on costs or gaining points on a government contract,” he says.
Takeaways from the interview:
Carbon regulations are here to stay. Mid-sized businesses need to be ready to comply or risk falling behind.
Companies that embrace sustainability can win contracts and stand out in competitive markets.
Sanders believes passion is essential. “If you’re not passionate about the problem you’re solving, you’re at a disadvantage,” he says.
Building Carbonhound
Sanders’ path to founding Carbonhound is as inspiring as his vision. With a background spanning PropTech, FinTech, and SalesTech, he initially planned to focus on decarbonizing commercial real estate. But he soon realized that existing solutions were either free but inadequate, expensive and designed for large enterprises, or reliant on consultants.
The Quickbooks for carbon reporting.
“I thought, where’s the QuickBooks for carbon?” Sanders recalls. “Mid-sized businesses needed a tool that was cost-effective, easy to use, and scalable.”
But like many startups, Carbonhound had its challenges. Sanders initially targeted small businesses but quickly realized they lacked the urgency to act. Pivoting to mid-market firms with 100 to 2,000 employees was a game-changer. These companies were feeling the pressure from clients and regulators but couldn’t afford costly sustainability teams.
This strategic shift paid off. Today, Carbonhound serves over 80 clients, from manufacturers to financial institutions, and the platform’s subscription-based model provides steady, scalable revenue.
Balancing passion and pressure
As an entrepreneur, Sanders knows the challenges of starting and scaling a business. Stress is unavoidable, but he’s found ways to manage it. “For me, it’s spending time with my family, reading my son his bedtime story, or sticking to meditative rituals. You have to find what keeps you grounded and commit to it.”
He also emphasized the importance of building a strong team. “Hire people who are passionate about the mission or their specific role in it. They’ll keep you inspired and help carry the weight.”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Sanders offers clear advice: “Stop overthinking and start talking to customers. Even a $100 survey can give you actionable data. Just take the first step.”
His journey shows that passion paired with preparation can lead to extraordinary results. By tackling one of today’s biggest challenges, Sanders and the Carbonhound team are proving that sustainability isn’t just a necessity — it’s a competitive advantage.
Listen to the conversation here.
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[Photo credit: Sanders Lazier]
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