The phenomenon of ecopreneurship is still an emerging one and its literature is comparatively young (Pastakia,
1998; Linnanen, 2002; Schaltegger, 2002). A working defi nition is offered to us by Schaltegger (2002): ‘Ecopreneurship
can be roughly defi ned as “entrepreneurship through an environmental lens”.’ This paper will build on
this comparatively young literature base and will focus on a particular element within the broader defi nition of
ecopreneurship: sustainable entrepreneurship in SMEs. One of the main thrusts in the literature is the development
of a typology of ecopreneurs, defi ned by Pastakia (1998) to be ‘a new breed of eco-conscious change agents
who may be called ecological entrepreneurs (ecopreneurs for short). Individuals or institutions that attempt to
popularize ecofriendly ideas and innovations either through the market or non-market roots may be referred to as
ecopreneurs.’ As yet there is little consensus on such typology and little distinction of the particular behaviors of
SMEs. One of the more common distinctions, however, is the delineation between social and commercial ecopreneurs
according to their objectives. Linnanen (2002) seems to agree, stating that ecopreneurs can be classifi ed
according to two criteria: (1) their desire to change the world and improve the quality of the environment and life;
and (2) their desire to make money and grow as a business venture (Table 1). He goes on to say: ‘These two dimensions
seem to be independent. The fi rst dimension of pursuing the good life, like sustainability, is an acceptable
goal but it is primarily an ineffi cient business concept’ (Linnanen, 2002). Linnanen typifi es ecopreneurs along
these confl icting axes and notably a high ‘desire to change the world’ coupled with a low ‘desire to make money’
results, in this typology at least, in a ‘non-profi t business’.