Best of the B Corps

Almost 100 companies worldwide have been recognised for creating the most positive, overall social and environmental impact as a Certified B Corporations with the release of the third annual ‘B Corp Best for the World’ list.

The list honors businesses that earned an overall score in the top 10 per cent of all Certified B Corporations on the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of a company's impact on its workers, community, and the environment.

Winners were recognised among micro, small, and mid-sized businesses.

Highlighted companies include CDI Lan, a Brazilian education and training company generating income and employability in low income communities through internet cafes,d.light design, a manufacturer and distributor of solar lighting and power products providing access to reliable, affordable, renewable energy for nearly 30 million people in 60 countries, and Sunrise Banks, a Minnesota community bank supporting affordable housing, small business development, and Not for Profits.

The ‘Best for the World’ companies come from 31 different industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and real estate.

A majority operate in a service industry, including 17 winners in financial services and 15 in environmental consulting. 30 per cent of honorees are based outside the US with 15 companies operating in emerging markets, such as Afghanistan, Kenya and Colombia.

“Employees, consumers, investors, and policy makers increasingly want to support companies that create a positive impact in the world and the Best for the World honorees are the best of the best,” Jay Coen Gilbert, the co-founder of B Lab, the Not for Profit organization that certifies B Corporations said.

“It’s particularly inspiring that 21 per cent of the 2014 honorees are first time winners but long time B Corps. They’re winning the race to the top.”

“They use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems and have met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Today there are over 970 certified B Corporations, across 60 industries and 32 countries, unified by one common goal: to redefine success in business,” he said.

B Lab says it will release separate lists recognising the companies ‘Best for the Environment’ (environmental impact), ‘Best for the Community’ (community impact), and ‘Best for Workers’ (employee impact) throughout 2014.

The full list of winners is at bestfortheworld.bcorporation.net.