Impact Business Models (IBMs) are the ways that a business is intentionally designed to create a specific positive outcome for a stakeholder group. Examples include companies providing services to preserve or restore natural environments, those donating an essential product for every sale, educational service providers, or companies intentionally hiring and training individuals from underemployed populations to support social progress. Companies with IBMs play a critical role in system change and hold significant value for many stakeholders.

The role and recognition of IBMs were thoroughly explored during the development of the new standards. However, due to evolving regulations—such as the Empowering Consumers Directive—and the risk of further delaying the implementation and adoption of the new standards, the assessment and recognition of IBMs were not included in the first publication of the standards.

B Lab remains committed to exploring how IBMs can be recognized and valued within and beyond B Corp certification. And we are excited about the opportunity to engage the community in shaping the next evolution of Impact Business Models.

You can sign up here to participate in the Impact Business Model development process.