Startups brag about giving new hires a $1,000 gadget budget. What if they used that same budget to source refurbished tech through a company like Back Market — and made that part of their CSR strategy?

Startups love a good team perk.

It’s become common to give new hires $500–$1,000 to set up their work-from-home tech stack — laptops, monitors, headsets, even ergonomic chairs.

It’s a great way to say “we care about you.” But here’s a question:

What if perks could also reflect how much you care about the planet and the future?

From Culture to Impact

Most startups want to do good — but impact often feels like something you start to explore after growth.

But what if you reimagined something you already do (like equipment sourcing) as a chance to reflect your values?

Instead of buying brand-new tech, what if you equipped your team through a refurbished tech partner — like Back Market?

Who Is Back Market?

Back Market is one of the world’s leading refurbished tech marketplaces.

They give laptops, phones, tablets, and other gadgets a second life by working with certified refurbishers — reducing e-waste, lowering carbon footprints, and making high-quality tech more accessible and sustainable.

They’ve helped avoid thousands of tons of electronic waste from entering landfills — and made sustainability something ordinary people (and teams) can participate in through everyday purchases.

Circular Tech as CSR

This isn’t about charity or donation.

It’s about making smarter, more sustainable decisions that align with how you want to show up in the world.

If you say your brand cares about climate, or equity, or responsible sourcing — why not start with the laptop your team uses every single day?

Startups have the chance to:

• Lower their environmental footprint

• Model sustainability in an authentic, low-lift way

• Show team members and users that they care about more than profit

All without changing the budget.

Same Budget, Better Story

Let’s say you budget $1,000 per new hire for hardware.

That $1,000 still works — but now, you’ve reduced waste, extended the life of existing tech, and lived out your values. Additionally, there is a likelihood that you may spend significantly less than that, as refurbished gadgets are often sold at a discounted price.

Imagine saying this on your team page:

“We support circular tech. All employee hardware is sourced refurbished through our partner.”

Now your perks become a story. A strategy. A CSR statement.

Dear Startups,

This is my CSR love letter to you.

This idea isn’t about going big — it’s about starting smart. This an opportunity for you.

If you’re an early-stage startup wondering how to “do good” when you’re still small, consider this:

Your first act of CSR could be as simple as a refurbished laptop.

This article is not sponsored or affiliated with Back Market — just an idea I believe in.

If you’re a startup founder thinking about lean, thoughtful CSR moves like this, I’d love to collaborate.

📩 hello@impactwithayo.com

🔗 www.impactwithayo.com