“In a world defined by constant change – and by complex social and environmental challenges – innovative approaches to impact-driven entrepreneurship are more important than ever. One method that truly stands out in this context is Lean Impact.”
Viviana Köhrbrück, Program Manager at PHINEO Startups, PHINEO gAG’s Impact Accelerator
Building on Lean Startup principles, Lean Impact offers a flexible, data-driven way to tackle social challenges effectively and sustainably. But what exactly does the approach involve, and how can founders use it to create outsized impact with limited resources? In this post, we break down the basics of Lean Impact and show why it’s a powerful engine for scalable solutions in the impact space.
What is Lean Impact and why does it matter?
Lean Impact – the innovative approach developed by Ann Mei Chang – has reshaped how impact-driven startups and nonprofits innovate. It takes the proven strengths of Lean Startup and adapts them to the world of social and environmental problem-solving.
A quick comparison:
- Lean Startup focuses on rapid product and business validation with profitability as the core goal.
- Lean Impact applies those same iterative principles to complex social and environmental issues – with the goal of maximizing public benefit, involving a wider group of stakeholders, and targeting long-term, sustainable change.
At the heart of both approaches is the build-measure-learn cycle – an iterative loop designed for fast, evidence-based progress: You start with a testable idea or prototype (build), then you gather real-world data and feedback (measure), and then you adapt based on what works and what doesn’t (learn). These small, controlled experiments help founders use limited resources smarter – testing quickly, learning from feedback, and continuously improving their solution. Use metrics that make sense for your mission and your stage. You don’t need to start with complex frameworks like the SDGs or IRIS+. You can always align with them later once your model is clearer.
Ann Mei Chang follows three core principles:
- Think big. Startups should aim to solve a meaningful part – or even all – of the problem they’re tackling.
- Start small and iterate fast. Startups should learn quickly and adapt even faster.
- Track your impact relentlessly. Startups should use real data and feedback to continuously refine their solution – until they find what works best.
The IMMPACT maturity model and how it connects to Lean Impact
The IMMPACT Maturity Model – developed in the IMMPACT collaboration (Bertelsmann Stiftung, SEND, the German Federal Initiative for Impact Investing, and PHINEO) – helps founders assess where they currently stand with their impact-driven business model and what it will take to level up.
With the Lean Impact Guide, we’re turning that into practice: a simple, hands-on, step-by-step approach that helps founders build impact innovations with the same agility and efficiency seen in profit-first startups. From problem analysis to MVP testing, from developing the business model and financing strategy all the way to scaling, we provide the tools and methods that impact-driven founders need.
The goal is to help founders build impact startups that ...
- actually solve the problem (Does it work?)
- meet a real demand (Is there demand?)
- can scale to reach meaningful size (Will it scale?)
We also show how to involve multiple stakeholders throughout the journey. This collaborative approach doesn’t just improve the relevance of solutions, it builds trust, buy-in, and long-term commitment.
What if every startup and business followed lean impact principles?
As an idealist, I picture a business world deeply connected to social progress. Where companies don’t just chase profit – they actively pursue positive social and environmental impact. Innovation would be rooted in real community needs, because startups would constantly work side-by-side with the people affected. The gap between business and society would shrink. Success wouldn’t be defined by financial KPIs alone, but by measurable public benefit. Global challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality would be tackled more effectively, because companies would be designed from day one to address them.
In the end, that kind of world could bring the balance we urgently need: sustainable economic growth and social well-being. The IMMPACT project is one important step in that direction.
Viviana Köhrbrück (Program Manager at PHINEO Startups, PHINEO gAG’s Impact Accelerator )
Viviana leads the development of the Lean Impact Guide, working closely with our committed sounding board. She sees the IMMPACT Maturity Model – combined with the Lean Impact Guide – as a powerful support system for founders: it offers clear direction and practical next steps for advancing impact-driven business models. Together, they help impact startups navigate the impact landscape with confidence – and work more efficiently along the way.
