Investor’s ears are pricking up to ‘purpose’, ‘ESG’ (Environment, Social, Governance criteria) and now…‘B Corp’
Why? What is B Corp? And why does that matter for you?
B Corp Certified businesses are a new type of business which meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
They’re considered more reliable: low risk and high performance.
How are B Corps performing?:
➡ Faster: B Corps are growing 28X faster*
➡ Higher: B Corp SMEs had an average turnover growth of 24% (compared to average SMEs 3%)*
➡ Lower: And when it comes to keeping the best talent B Corp SMEs have about half the average employee attrition rate*
Unsurprisingly these attributes are particularly attractive to investors looking for higher performance; lower risk, and greater impact.
Forward-thinking investors consider their return beyond pure ROI.
And forward-thinking businesses are reaping the rewards of lower cost of capital.
In 2018, twelve leading global banks, led by BNP Paribas, loaned Danone $2 billion with lower interest on the condition they keep their B Corp status. More on that here.
So clearly investors see the value and stability which the B Corp framework adds to businesses.
A helpful guide to B Corp investing can be found here. (the numbers have grow significantly since this guide was written by Bridges Fund Management….but the messages haven’t )
We love the work of B Corp Certified Bethnal Green Ventures, who invest in founders using technology to tackle big social and environmental problems and create positive impact. Learn more about them here.
Doing good business makes sense because it’s the right thing to do for people and planet…
…and the statistics show investors want to support the growth of better business… it’s a win-win.
We have a real chance of revolutionising the way we do business and together tackling the social and environmental challenges we face.
Doing business purely to make a profit is old news. Businesses that thrive today focus on purpose, people, planet, and prosperity… for all.
You may not yet have heard of B Corp but we’re sure you soon will, as the Movement is growing rapidly… for good.
B Corp Certification is a great way to better understand and improve your impact as a business on your people, communities, and of course on the environment.
The online B Impact Assessment (BIA) is intentionally difficult (you would expect it to be!) and it is the only globally recognised certification which assesses every part of your business.
B Corp is a sign that your business walks the talk. B Corp is to business what Fairtrade is to coffee.
So, if this sounds like a journey you would like to embark on how can we help?
We would like to invite you to consider joining our online B Corp Accelerator Programme.
It’s an effective way to get the guidance and support you need through your BIA, from a standing start to submission, in just three months.
Our groups are small, no bigger than ten like-minded businesses, so places are limited.
Registration for our next programme, which begins on the 5th July is now open, link is in the comments.
We’re here to help you grow your businesses successfully AND sustainably.
*(B Lab, 2018)
*(B Lab, between 2017-2019)
*(B Lab, 2020)