The Best Certified B Corps | An illustration of a superhero with the letter B on his chest
Illustration by Jack D.

Capitalism can do better. Business can be more responsible. Short-term profit doesn’t have to be the singular focus of private enterprise.

This is what Corporate Knights believes. The long term matters, in our view. Our economy would be nothing without the social and environmental capital that lies at its foundation.

Yet markets are efficient at their core. Capitalism as an economic system works – for many. The problem is that our narrow definition of “wealth” and GDP has left just as many behind and distracted from the real goal: lasting prosperity for all.

It is this reality that attracted us to the efforts of B Lab, a non-profit organization based in Pennsylvania. B Lab has created a program that certifies qualified companies as B Corps, with the “B” standing for “Benefit.” To earn certification, B Corps must meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

“B Corp Certification is to sustainable business what LEED certification is to green building or Fair Trade certification is to coffee,” B Lab states on its website.

In 2012, Corporate Knights decided to join the chorus. This involved completing a “B Impact Assessment” survey, which measures a company’s environmental and social impact and applies a score out of 200. At least 80 points are required to qualify for certification – we scored 107. Not bad, but plenty of room for improvement.

B Corp Impact Score

Next, we had to sign a term sheet and a declaration of independence, committing to “harness the power of public enterprise to create public benefit,” for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. We also agreed to subject our company to a one in five chance of being audited every two years.

The B Corp movement is growing. There are currently 1,257 B Corps in 38 countries, though most are based in the U.S. and Canada. The bigger members include outdoor clothing company Patagonia and ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s, a Unilever subsidiary.

In December, Brazilian cosmetics company Natura became the first large publicly traded B Corp in the world, as well as the largest B Corp overall. Unilever CEO Paul Polman told Guardian Sustainable Business at the World Economic Forum in Davos this year that he was strongly considering doing the same, although he was intimidated by the logistical and jurisdictional challenges of gathering all the relevant data together.

With such a burgeoning number of businesses joining the fold, B Corp recently decided to highlight those certified enterprises that have earned an overall score in the top 10% of all Certified B Corporations on the B Impact Assessment survey.

This best of the best list involves a number of compelling Canadian companies including Oliberté, a premium leather goods company that “sustainably sources its materials from and manufactures in Africa to create pathways out of poverty.” In obtaining a score of 138, Oliberté is marking a small milestone in the evolution of capitalism.

RankCompanyIndustrySizeCountryScore
1South Mountain Company Inc.Architecture and DesignSmall BusinessUnited States179
2Juhudi KilimoCredit ProviderMidsize BusinessKenya178
3Echale a tu casaConstructionMidsize BusinessMexico168
4Benefical State BankCredit ProviderMidsize BusinessUnited States165
4One Earth DesignsElectronicsMicro-EnterpriseHong Kong165
6Impact Makers IncManagement and Financial ConsultingMidsize BusinessUnited States164
7Council Fire LLCEnvironmental and Sustainability ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseUnited States162
8Emerge Financial WellnessHR Consulting and RecruitingMicro-EnterpriseUnited States157
8Give Something Back IncOffice Supplies and ServicesMidsize BusinessUnited States157
10Piedmont BiofuelsEnergy GenerationMicro-EnterpriseUnited States156
10Virginia Community CapitalCredit ProviderSmall BusinessUnited States156
12JibuRetail StorefrontSole ProprietorUnited States155
13Cooperative Home Care AssociatesHealthcareMidsize BusinessUnited States154
13Sunrise BanksCredit ProviderMidsize BusinessUnited States154
15RSF Capital ManagementCredit ProviderMicro-EnterpriseUnited States152
15Caravela CoffeeFood and BeverageMidsize BusinessColombia152
17ETAVENCAResearch and DesignMidsize BusinessVenezuela151
17HCAHealthcareMidsize BusinessUnited States151
19EcoZoomElectronicsMicro-EnterpriseKenya150
19Greater Richmond GridArts, Entertainment and MediaSole ProprietorUnited States150
19Hybrytec SolarRenewable Energy InstallationSmall BusinessColombia150
22Archi's AcresAgriculture and Forest ManagementMicro-EnterpriseUnited States149
23Alter EcoFood and BeverageSmall BusinessUnited States148
23ECO2LIBRIUMEnvironmental and Sustainability ConsultingSmall BusinessKenya148
25Highland Craftsmen IncArchitecture and DesignSmall BusinessUnited States147
25Greyson Bakery IncFood and BeverageMidsize BusinessUnited States147
25Bazzani Building CompanyConstructionMicro-EnterpriseUnited States147
25Trillium Asset ManagementInvestment AdvisingSmall BusinessUnited States147
25PV SquaredRenewable Energy InstallationSmall BusinessUnited States147
25d.light designElectronicsMidsize BusinessUnited States147
31New AvenueArchitecture and DesignMicro-EnterpriseUnited States146
32Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd (Roshan)TelecommunicationsMidsize BusinessAfghanistan145
32xrunner Venture GmbHWaste ManagementMicro-EnterprisePeru145
34TriCiclosWaste ManagementMidsize BusinessChile144
35Yellow Leaf HammocksHousewares and Home FurnishingsMicro-EnterpriseUnited States143
35Feiticos AromaticosHome and Personal CareSmall BusinessBrazil143
35MAXX PotentialIT Services, Software and Web DesignSmall BusinessUnited States143
38New Resource BankCredit ProviderSmall BusinessUnited States141
39Sun Light and PowerEnergy GenerationMidsize BusinessUnited States140
40CDIIT Services, Software and Web DesignMicro-EnterpriseBrazil139
40Natural Investments LLCInvestment AdvisingSole ProprietorUnited States139
40Blue GarnetNon-Profit ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseUnited States139
43Purpose STAFFHR Consulting and RecruitingMidsize BusinessUnited States138
43RevivnWaste ManagementSole ProprietorUnited States138
43Oliberte LimitedApparel, Footware and AccessoriesMidsize BusinessCanada138
43Enviro-StewardsEnvironmental and Sustainability ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseCanada138
43THREE SISTA'SHospitalityMicro-EnterpriseAustralia138
48Telesis CorporationReal Estate DevelopmentSmall BusinessUnited States136
48Ingage Partners LLCManagement and Financial ConsultingSmall BusinessUnited States136
48Northeast Green Building Consulting LLCArchitecture and DesignMicro-EnterpriseUnited States136
48VIF International EducationEducationSmall BusinessUnited States136
52The Paradigm ProjectNon-Profit ConsultingSmall BusinessUnited States135
52Metropolitan GroupMarketing and CommunicationsSmall BusinessUnited States135
54Indigenous Designs and CorporationApparel, Footware and AccessoriesSmall BusinessUnited States134
54Farmland LPAgriculture and Forest ManagementMicro-EnterpriseUnited States134
54AvanteCredit ProviderSmall BusinessBrazil134
57Buy The ChangeOnline MarketplaceSole ProprietorUnited States133
57Ecotrust Forest ManagementAgriculture and Forest ManagementMicro-EnterpriseUnited States133
57Imprint CapitalInvestment AdvisingSmall BusinessUnited States133
60MiiRSporting GoodsMicro-EnterpriseUnited States131
60Dolphin Blue IncOnline MarketplaceMicro-EnterpriseUnited States131
60Australian Ethical InvestmentInvestment AdvisingSmall BusinessAustralia131
60Veris Wealth PartnersInvestment AdvisingSmall BusinessUnited States131
60Off Grid Solutions / WakaWakaElectronicsSmall BusinessNetherlands131
65Education Funding PartnersEducationMicro-EnterpriseUnited States130
65Green Retirment Plans IncInvestment AdvisingSole ProprietorUnited States130
67DOMIEnergy GenerationSmall BusinessTaiwan129
67Manzimvula Ventures IncManagement and Financial ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseUnited States129
67SLOWCOLORApparel, Footware and AccessoriesMicro-EnterpriseUnited States129
67Atayne LLCApparel, Footware and AccessoriesSole ProprietorUnited States129
67ByoearthWaste ManagementMicro-EnterpriseGuatemala129
67Social Impact ArchitectsNon-Profit ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseUnited States129
67Good Tech America LLCIT Services, Software and Web DesignSole ProprietorUnited States129
74PeaceWorks Technology SolutionsIT Services, Software and Web DesignSmall BusinessCanada128
74Grounds For ChangeFood and BeverageMicro-EnterpriseUnited States128
74CourrierosTransportationSmall BusinessBrazil128
74L. InternationalPharmaceuticals and SuppliesSole ProprietorUnited States128
74Grupo GAIAManagement and Financial ConsultingSmall BusinessBrazil128
74Delight Co LtdPharmaceuticals and SuppliesSmall BusinessKorea (Republic of)128
74Mikado ConsultingNon-Profit ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseTurkey128
74Down to Earth MarketsFood and BeverageMicro-EnterpriseUnited States128
74FINAE SAPI DE CV SOFOM ENRCredit ProviderSmall BusinessMexico128
74TASReal Estate DevelopmentSmall BusinessCanada128
84Mal Warwick | DonordigitalNon-Profit ConsultingSmall BusinessUnited States127
84Ned Schaub Consulting - Social Change StrategyNon-Profit ConsultingSole ProprietorUnited States127
86TTCIT Services, Software and Web DesignSmall BusinessNetherlands126
87Andean Naturals IncFood and BeverageSole ProprietorUnited States125
87Bullfrog PowerEnergy GenerationSmall BusinessCanada125
87Seeds PrintingOffice Supplies and ServicesSole ProprietorUnited States125
87FlipGiveDonation ServiceMicro-EnterpriseCanada125
87Community Wealth PartnersNon-Profit ConsultingSmall BusinessUnited States125
87Green Living EnterprisesArts, Entertainment and MediaSmall BusinessCanada125
87Sarona Asset Management IncEquity InvestorSmall BusinessCanada125
94Purpose CapitalManagement and Financial ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseCanada124
94UpSpringManagement and Financial ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseUnited States124
96CarShare AtlanticTransportationMicro-EnterpriseCanada123
96thedatabank gbc (general benefit corporation)IT Services, Software and Web DesignMicro-EnterpriseUnited States123
96Sustainable Earth Solutions IncEnvironmental and Sustainability ConsultingSole ProprietorUnited States123
96Impact First InvestmentsInvestment AdvisingMicro-EnterpriseIsreal123
96CAP GlobalPharmaceuticals and SuppliesMicro-EnterpriseUnited States123
101Prosperity CandleHousewares and Home FurnishingsMicro-EnterpriseUnited States122
101AlgramoRetail StorefrontSole ProprietorChile122
101Praxis Consulting GroupManagement and Financial ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseUnited States122
101Realize StrategiesNon-Profit ConsultingMicro-EnterpriseCanada122
105Lucky Iron FishPharmaceuticals and SuppliesMicro-EnterpriseCanada121
105ChangeItDonation ServiceMicro-EnterpriseCanada121
105AguaClara LLCArchitecture and DesignMicro-EnterpriseUnited States121
109Little Bean SproutApparel, Footware and AccessoriesSole ProprietorUnited States120
109Animal Experience InternationalTravel and LeisureSole ProprietorCanada120
109Message AgencyIT Services, Software and Web DesignMicro-EnterpriseUnited States120
109Sustainable Law Group P.C.Legal ServicesSole ProprietorUnited States120
109HopemakersCredit ProviderMicro-EnterpriseKorea (Republic of)120
109Fledge LLCManagement and Financial ConsultingSole ProprietorUnited States120
114VeomasManagement and Financial ConsultingSole ProprietorChile119
115GEXSI GmbHInvestment AdvisingSole ProprietorGermany118
116Clean EthicsHome and Personal CareSole ProprietorUnited States116
116Future StrategiesEnvironmental and Sustainability ConsultingSole ProprietorCanada116
116Change CatalystMarketing and CommunicationsSole ProprietorUnited States116
119Roots for SustainabilityEnvironmental and Sustainability ConsultingSole ProprietorSpain115
119OneSeventeen Media Inc.Marketing and CommunicationsSole ProprietorUnited States115

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