# Benefit Brands Social cause companies badging themselves with B Corp certification. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Mar 22, 2012, updated Mar 27, 2012 | Category: [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/social-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/benefit-brands ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.4/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Benefit Brands trend? **Benefit Brands:** B Corp certification is a new accreditation given to companies that use the power of business toward social and environmental issues. The number of B Corps is steadily increasing, with over 450 companies currently certified, and the impetus for the certification is clear: Just as Fair Trade and LEED certifications elevate the appeal of certain products to cause-driven consumers, so too does B Corporation certification elevate a company's brand image. Not only that, this new level of certification stands to change the way social businesses -- and perhaps even profit-driven businesses -- are created and operated, as well as redefine business success in today's socially conscious society. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 17, 2011 to Mar 14, 2012 - Published: Mar 22, 2012 - Last updated: Mar 27, 2012 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Examples of the Benefit Brands trend 7 featured examples from Jun 17, 2011 to Mar 14, 2012. - [Outdoor Gear for Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patagonia): Patagonia Pays Employees to Volunteer for Eco Nonprofits (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sustainable and eco-friendly products in the outdoor gear industry, and emphasize the importance of environmental stewardship. - [1-for-1 Sport Businesses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-one-give-one): One World Futbol Shares Unbreakable Soccer Balls (Category: Social Good) Implication: The sports equipment industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by developing unbreakable soccer balls that revolutionize the playing experience. - [Mission-Based Investing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/renewal2-investment-fund): 'Renewal2 Investment Fund' Helps Foster Triple Bottom Line Success (Category: Social Good) Implication: The impact investing space is being disrupted by the rise of mission-based investing, providing opportunities for investors to prioritize social and environmental impact alongside… - [Altruistic Law Firms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rimon-law): Rimon is a Certified B Corp and Donates 10% Of Its Profits to Charity (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize the legal sector by integrating social and environmental responsibility into core business practices. - [Clean Tech for Non-Profits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sun-light-power): Sun Light & Power Offers Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Energy (Category: Social Good) Implication: Exploring clean and sustainable energy solutions like solar electricity and solar water heating to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources. - [Purpose-Driven IT Companies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-the-world): Better The World is a B Corporation Using Technology for Social Good (Category: Social Good) Implication: IT companies that focus on creating social impact through their technology solutions. - [B Corp Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dharma-merchant-services): Dharma Merchant Services Makes Credit Cards Greener, More Philanthropic (Category: Social Good) Implication: The retail industry can tap into the trend of eco-friendly commerce by implementing sustainable practices and offering environmentally conscious products. ## Themes within the Benefit Brands trend ### B Corp certification More companies are obtaining B Corp certification, spurring the transformation of social businesses and redefining business success in a socially conscious society. ### Social impact technology platforms Technology platforms like Causefinity help companies and not-for-profits develop impactful and engaging fundraising, corporate social responsibility, and donation systems. ### Mission-based investing Investment funds like Renewal2 seek to create positive change in the social and environmental sectors, working with entrepreneurs and investors to facilitate triple bottom line impact. ## What the Benefit Brands trend means for industry ### For Environmental & socially focused companies Companies like Patagonia embed social missions into their business models and have a history of environmental initiatives, indicating an opportunity to combine business and philanthropy to facilitate triple bottom line impact. ### For Clean energy providers Companies like Sun Light & Power, the oldest solar company in California, offer total energy solutions for commercial and residential buildings with a focus on projects for non-profit organizations and carbon offsets. ### For Payment processing companies Companies like Dharma Merchant Services apply mindful and socially conscious practices to their business models, donating profits and services to charitable organizations and using green initiatives. ## Trend signals for Benefit Brands Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 54%, activity 39%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 54% - Activity: 39% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Caffeine Remix](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/portable-caffeine-formats) (Lifestyle) - [Climate Buffer](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/range-extended-suv) (Autos) - [Purpose Tuning](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/electric-suv-variants) (Autos) - [Driver Display](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/driver-display) (Autos) ## Trending in Social Good - [Athlete-Partnership Charity Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nick-bosa) - [Culturally Grounded Wellness Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/culturally-grounded-wellness-apps) - [Cancer Awareness Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carry-the-fire-road-hockey-net) All articles: [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood)