Thinkstep

About Thinkstep

Thinkstep provided sustainability performance management through a combination of software, data, and consulting services. Founded in 1991 as PE International by five students from the University of Stuttgart, the company originated from a project to assess the environmental profile of a car. This initial work led to the development of its core software product, GaBi, which utilizes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to calculate the environmental footprint of products.

The company's business model focused on helping corporate clients enhance operational excellence, achieve regulatory compliance, and drive product innovation. Revenue was generated through its suite of software solutions, which included both cloud-based and on-premise options, and specialized consulting. Thinkstep served a diverse client base across sectors such as automotive, construction, consumer goods, and energy, counting 45 percent of the Fortune 100 as customers, including notable companies like BASF, Siemens, and Unilever.

Thinkstep offered three main software solutions: GaBi for product sustainability, SoFi for corporate sustainability, and a suite of product compliance tools including IMM/CPM, BOMcheck, and EC4P. The GaBi software, in particular, was recognized as a comprehensive LCA tool. In July 2019, Sphera, a global provider of Integrated Risk Management software, announced its agreement to acquire Thinkstep, a deal that was finalized in September 2019 after receiving regulatory approval. The acquisition was part of Sphera's strategy to expand its product stewardship and corporate sustainability offerings, integrating Thinkstep's solutions into its SpheraCloud platform. Before the acquisition, Thinkstep had successfully transitioned its business model toward a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) structure, which supported its growth.