How to help small businesses go green? Hermina, FILBO’s AI Sustainability Assistant, knows the answer

Why Hermina?

Client surveys conducted by OMRO revealed a consistent theme: entrepreneurs were open to sustainable practices, but lacked clarity on where to begin. Questions like “What kind of green investments make sense for my business?” or “How do I know if I qualify for financing?” were common — and the answers weren’t easy to find.

To bridge this gap, FILBO designed Hermina not as a promotional tool, but as a digital educator and guide. The goal: to empower entrepreneurs to explore sustainable ideas with confidence and simplicity.

What Hermina Does?

Hermina is available on FILBO’s platform 24/7, offering conversational support to users curious about green investments. Built on ChatGPT-4 and integrated with Microsoft’s Azure Bot Services, the chatbot draws from verified sources like the EU Taxonomy, ESG guides, and sustainability handbooks.

Through a simple, friendly interface, Hermina can:

Answer real-time questions about energy efficiency, green technologies, and sustainability
Help entrepreneurs brainstorm relevant project ideas, even if they don’t have one yet
Recommend eligible uses for FILBO’s Green Loan (up to €120,000 with preferential terms)
Connect users to external partners and resources within the green ecosystem

From Concept to Action

The development process involved close collaboration between FILBO’s IT and lending teams, ensuring that Hermina’s recommendations aligned with both sustainability goals and business practicality. The chatbot was designed to personalize its suggestions by sector—guiding users toward feasible green upgrades such as:

Solar panels
Energy-efficient equipment
Electric vehicles
Eco-friendly agricultural methods

Hermina also featured inspiring case examples—like Romanian circular economy leader Flip.ro—to help entrepreneurs see what’s possible.

Early Results & Lessons

Since its launch in August 2024, Hermina has engaged in over 300 direct conversations with entrepreneurs. Many users came with no specific project idea—but left with a clearer understanding of what’s possible.

Topics like solar energy, green mobility, and sustainable agriculture ranked highest in user interest. Meanwhile, digital campaigns promoting Hermina reached over 33,000 people, with more than 1,000 interactions leading to deeper engagement.

Yet, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. FILBO found that general awareness of sustainability remains low among small business owners, and that economic uncertainty limits investment appetite. But these insights have helped shape the next phase of development.