The 20th
anniversary
edition
March 14 & 15, 2025
at UNESCO • Paris

Can you tell us how the idea of creating Treebal came to you, and what is the function and added value of this messaging service?

Samuel Le Port: Treebalis an ethical and eco-responsible instant messaging service.

It is the only European and French alternative to GAFAM and BATX that allows users to communicate while reducing their carbon footprint (a Treebal message weighs at least 15 times less than an email / See our Digital Report) and preserving the security and confidentiality of their data.

What inspired us to create Treebal was the desire to bring together an ecosystem of committed stakeholders around current societal issues such as:

• The urgent need to reduce the carbon footprint of digital technology.
• The necessity to restore strategic digital autonomy to businesses and communities, with the conviction that we cannot achieve the ecological transition without the digital sovereignty of our practices.
• The recognition of a lack of alternatives to the GAFAM data-driven economic model, a model that accelerates overconsumption.
• The desire to protect our personal data and that of our loved ones.
• The goal of building a simple, ethical, responsible, and sovereign digital world accessible to everyone.
• The desire to recreate social connections and build a community.

You aim to position Treebal as a true alternative to traditional messaging and social networks: What is your business model to date? And where do you stand in terms of your short- and medium-term goals?

For organizations, our PRO version isn’t free, but the maximum price of 2 euros per user per month is quite affordable. This price includes consulting and support for the organization to gradually implement our communication solution across its entire ecosystem.

Our messaging service supports the social and environmental transformation of businesses and communities by enabling them to engage all of their employees and stakeholders in a solution that reflects their values.

For example, one of our transport clients communicates with its 1,200 employees, 80% of whom are truck drivers, all equipped with Treebal on their professional or personal phones. Drivers can, at any time, exchange in a respectful and confidential manner with Human Resources or elected CSE representatives, for example.

We are rapidly expanding, particularly within organizations with field workers, as well as with CSEs and their beneficiaries, or in local communities. We’re also deploying in networks committed to social and ecological transition, helping them mobilize as many stakeholders as possible through an efficient and responsible solution.

As a mission-driven company, you’ve chosen the following purpose: “Communicate in respect of Human and Planet.” How do you apply this commitment concretely in your work and in the design of your application?

Our mission has naturally emerged from the beginning of Treebal and has been the guiding thread ever since the eco-design of the solution. As a mission-driven company, we’ve made several commitments:

• Preserve the planet:
  • By managing the resources necessary for our activity in a reasoned and sustainable way.
  • By raising awareness among our users on climate issues and responsible digital practices.
  • By contributing to environmental and social projects.
• Promote exchange and collaboration by allowing our users to connect simply and inclusively.
• Defend and protect freedom and privacy by ensuring the security and confidentiality of data and respecting the right to disconnect.

Other examples of how we fulfill our commitments:

• The application is compatible with older phone models to combat planned obsolescence and the frequent replacement of devices.
• Our transport client saved 200 kgCO2eq* last quarter compared to equivalent email usage and tripled the engagement rate of its employees.

You recently launched an offer called “Territoire KIKOZ,” which is based on voluntary contributions and allows companies to sponsor and contribute to the deployment of local and responsible digital solutions. How does this solidarity-based contribution system work, and what are its goals?

With this offer, our goal is to build society in our territories by enabling local governments to implement participatory democracy and engage citizens in the social and ecological transition.

Non-professional associations can equip themselves with the PRO version, thanks to a voluntary contribution. Businesses or local governments contribute to the funding through their usage, enabling association stakeholders to equip themselves with ethical and responsible digital tools.

At TREEBAL, we are convinced that it is the collective action of everyone, united, that will create a new “path.”

Like the hummingbird, we participate in this collective movement, helping everyone to communicate better, engage all employees and stakeholders, raise awareness, all while respecting Human and Planet.