Celebrating 5,000 B Corps

15 years ago, the B Corp movement began with a vision of a new way of doing business: one that would bring benefit not just to shareholders, but to all stakeholders — including workers, customers, communities, and the environment. 

We started with 19 pioneers in the summer of 2007 and had 81 Founding B Corps by the end of 2007. Today, our B Corp community spans 79 countries, 154 industries, over 400,000 workers, and now 5,000 B Corps — all led and coordinated, with passion, by 13 regional global partner organizations. 

These 5,000 Certified B Corps are the leaders of a global movement. They have made a commitment — to their stakeholders and our community — to uphold the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. They have committed to continuous improvement, recognizing that each of them can do more to change the world. They have come together because they know that they can have the most impact as a movement, by working collectively towards an economic system that is inclusive, equitable, and regenerative for all. 

Together, we’re transforming the global economy by harnessing the power of business as a force for good. In a time of uncertainty and challenge, these 5,000 extraordinary B Corps represent the power of the business to forge a path forward for all people and communities on our interdependent planet. Let’s celebrate their leadership!

— Andrew Kassoy and Bart Houlahan, Co-Founders, B Lab Global

Below, leaders across our B Global Network reflect on this milestone in their own words. Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.

"This is a moment of celebration for the entire B Global Network, but it’s a time especially to highlight the efforts of B Lab’s Certification & Verification team. Over the past year, our 45 B Lab Global analysts and 44 Genashtim Independent Verification Analysts have spent thousands of hours verifying B Impact Assessment reporting and undergoing review calls with companies to ensure that new B Corps around the world are meeting the high standards of social and environmental impact that define this community. This period of growth has not come without its challenges, and we want to honor the dedication this team has made to this movement and to an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative future for the global economy." — Christina Forwood & Kali Gibson, Co-Directors of Certification & Verification, B Lab Global

"A few years ago, reaching 5,000 B Corps in the world seemed like an unattainable dream. Today, standing where we are, we can proudly look at thousands of leaders and millions of employees and consumers who have decided to bet on a different way of doing business and consuming products that are good for society and for the planet. However, we also know that we have a long way to go. May this milestone be evidence and an inspiration for hundreds of thousands more companies to commit to working for a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic system for people and the planet." — Felipe Chajín, Executive Director, Sistema B International

"What a wonderful achievement! To every Certified B Corp, as well as the tens of thousands of businesses that continue to use the B Impact Assessment to improve impact, you are leading the way in demonstrating how stakeholders can be placed at the heart of business. Here in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, as growth of the movement continues to accelerate, we are rolling up our sleeves in excitement for what will be accomplished in the coming years." — Shalini Samuel, Certification & Training Lead, B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand

"There is now a greater recognition among business owners, leaders, and even consumers that wealth-hoarding by a few and token corporate social responsibility projects is out of fashion. This decade, the 2020s, is the decade of action — to address not only the climate crises but the societal ills that plague us. Over 5,000 for-profit businesses globally are taking a stand to use their business for good. In Africa, we have over 2,000 businesses that are using our tools as they journey towards this goal. Considering the myriad of obstacles that African businesses face in their day-to-day operations, this is a great commitment on their part and B Lab Africa is supporting them every step of the way." — Ngwing Kimani, Executive Director, B Lab East Africa & South Africa

"We are thrilled to be part of this incredible global milestone! In the China market, especially in the last two years, we have witnessed a rapid growth of companies joining the B Corp family with the unified goal of not only being the best in the world but best for the world. Together, with the worldwide B Corp community and like-minded partners, we will continue to utilize our collective power to promote business as a force for good, in our region and beyond. Cheers to the next 5.000!" — Yufei Jiang, Director, Advocacy & Service, B Corps China

"5,000 B Corps is an incredible milestone — one that is both a great achievement as well as a catalyst to accelerate action. As a community, B Corps of all sizes, spanning continents and industries, are continuously both learning from and challenging each other to keep improving the way they run their business to benefit people, society and the planet. No B Corp is perfect. But in the face of the urgent and pressing societal and environmental issues we face today, this growing movement doesn't just offer hope that we can shape behaviors, culture and ultimately, our economic system. It is proof that collectively, we can change the rules of the game." — Maria Correa, Head of Marketing & Communications, B Lab Europe

"What a moment for the B Corp Movement! I’m thrilled that there are now 5,000 B Corps all proving that a better way of doing business is possible, necessary, and an undeniable force for good. As the B Corp Movement grows, so too does our ability to effectively challenge the system that we’re here to disrupt, and redefine what success looks like in business." — Chris Turner, Executive Director, B Lab UK

"We are excited to see 5,000 companies of innovation join the B Corp movement transforming the global economy. The Korea team has witnessed more and more businesses inspired by B Corp’s value to initiate the journey. We are proud of being a part of a community of care, inclusion, and innovation. Together, we are the change we seek. Let’s discover the next 5000! 축하합니다! [Congratulations!]"  — Taeeun Chung, Senior Manager, B Lab Korea

​"This is an energizing milestone for our global network and a tipping point for our movement. We are on our way to lasting impact that can positively change the way businesses operate, for the long-term benefit of all people and the planet. The only way to do this is to secure a critical mass of companies that are willing to take collective action. With each new B Corp, we add more diverse enterprises that are a driving force to fundamentally change the economic system. Together, we are not only leading by making commitments to invest in climate solutions and dismantle unjust systems, but we are also creating the roadmap for other businesses to follow." — Jorge Fontanez, CEO, B Lab U.S. & Canada

"B Lab Taiwan is honored to see the long-term driven-value coming to a new milestone, which symbolizes that business for good is being widely accepted by the world. In Taiwan, we are also participating and steering the sustainable transformation of many small and medium-sized enterprises." — Wei-chen Chang, Chairman of the board, B Lab Taiwan; founder of Jia Wei & Co., CPAs

"A splendid milestone it is. It was a 15-year journey to inspire and grow the global community of certified B Corps to 5,000, and we look forward to an accelerated growth in the next decade with many more businesses in different parts of the world connecting profit-making with purpose-making." — B Lab Hong Kong & Macau team

"Reaching 5,000 Certified B Corps globally shows how far the movement has grown, in depth and reach since its beginnings in 2006. We want to see more companies behave like B Corps, enabled through the B Impact Assessment and SDG Action Manager as a free public good. We're excited to grow the movement here in Asia, and have Asian B Corps lead the way in transforming their sectors." — Prisca Lim, Chief Operating Officer, B Lab Singapore

"Humbled and honored to be part of this milestone. Our community is achieving 5,000 B Corps at a time when B Lab and Global Partners all over the world have stood side-by side facing 3,500 incoming Certification applications — and after taking 15 years to reach +4,000 companies in 2021. This growth was met by all of us pulling our resources together and keeping the integrity of the certification process and our vision at the forefront. The dust has begun to settle — let us reflect on the fact that perhaps our journey may have just started! Let's march together to use Business as a Force of Good, prioritize long-term over short-term value; we over me; future over the present; justice over inequity; people and planet over profits." — Yudhi Pradhana, Executive Director, B Market Builder Southeast Asia