How Grassfish strengthened internal reporting with Whistlelink
Grassfish, a leading Retail Tech innovator at the intersection of Media and Communications, specialises in connecting the digital and physical worlds of in-store retail. Their technology helps brands create interactive and personalised in-store experiences that are both smart and scalable. From managing digital signage to shaping the overall customer journey, Grassfish equips retailers to meet the expectations of modern consumers.
As the business continued to expand across Europe, the leadership team recognised the importance of maintaining a strong ethical foundation. To support a transparent culture where employees felt comfortable speaking up, Grassfish turned to Whistlelink. The goal was to implement a solution that would ensure every voice could be heard securely, confidently and in full compliance with the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive and local legislation.
The challenge: Navigating compliance and confidentiality in a data-driven environment
As a fast-growing tech company operating across borders, Grassfish needed a whistleblowing solution that could meet a unique set of challenges, from managing sensitive data to maintaining trust in a complex ecosystem of partners. Ensuring employees felt safe to report concerns was key to sustaining the company’s values and compliance obligations.
Grassfish’s main challenges included:
Data protection and regulatory risk – Employees needed a safe way to report potential data breaches or GDPR violations in a sector where data flows constantly between systems and platforms.
Partner and supplier integrity – With close collaboration across many retail partners, there was a need for tools to report issues involving third-party misconduct or unethical practices.
Culture and confidentiality – Promoting an open, inclusive culture where employees could speak up without fear, especially within remote or hybrid teams.
Scalability and IP protection – As Grassfish expanded across markets, it needed a solution that supported secure, compliant reporting across languages and jurisdictions, while also safeguarding proprietary technology and enabling reports of potential misuse or infringement.
To meet these demands, Grassfish required a whistleblowing solution that was secure, adaptable and ready to grow with the business.
The Whistlelink solution: Secure, scalable reporting for a growing tech company
Whistlelink provided Grassfish with a multilingual, compliant whistleblowing solution designed for transparency in complex digital environments.
Key features included:
✔️ Accessible, multilingual interface – Optimised for desktop and mobile access, supporting hybrid teams and international offices.
✔️ Confidential reporting channels – Encrypted submissions with optional anonymity, including voice message functionality to support diverse communication preferences and accessibility.
✔️ Smart case management tools – Structured workflows, role-based access controls, and audit trails to ensure accountability and data integrity, now enhanced with AI-assisted case summaries to accelerate reviews.
Implementation and results: Building a culture of trust and compliance
With guidance from Whistlelink, Grassfish quickly integrated the platform into its compliance and HR systems. Key outcomes included:
- Increased reporting confidence – Employees felt empowered to report issues related to data ethics, workplace conduct, and partner integrity.
- Cross-border compliance and scalability – The multilingual and legally compliant design of the system supported Grassfish’s international growth. It ensured readiness for GDPR and EU whistleblower regulations in every operational region, while also safeguarding intellectual property through secure, role-based access.
- Partner accountability – The ability to securely handle reports involving external suppliers or partners allowed Grassfish to reinforce ethical standards beyond its internal teams.
- Improved process transparency – Centralised case tracking helped compliance teams respond swiftly and maintain trust organisation-wide.
"Whistlelink gives us the tools to stay agile and compliant in a rapidly evolving industry. It ensures our teams feel heard and supported, across every market we serve."
- Jonas Lagerqvist, CFO, Grassfish
Key takeaways: Whistleblowing in Media & Communications
Grassfish’s experience offers valuable insights for tech-focused companies managing ethical reporting in a digital-first environment:
- ✔️ Empower employees with tools that respect privacy and simplify reporting across borders.
- ✔️ Ensure legal compliance by embedding whistleblowing into your broader data governance and ethics strategy.
- ✔️ Support business integrity by addressing both internal and third-party risks in a connected ecosystem.
Do you want to learn more about Whistlelink?
Whistlelink provides secure, compliant whistleblowing solutions tailored for companies across Europe. With multilingual access, encrypted reporting, and efficient case handling, Whistlelink helps tech innovators like Grassfish build a culture of integrity and transparency.
