25 Sustainable Business Models

From For-Profit Venture Accelerators to Women-Owned Web Design

— June 6, 2013 — Social Good
What exactly are sustainable business models? While the definition itself may vary, as you'll see through the examples in this slideshow, the idea is rooted in addressing the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. While the idea of a sustainable business has existed for centuries, it has become a way for a company or organization to create value and attract more business despite greenwashing and other advertising techniques. In the same vein, sometimes organizations name themselves a "sustainable business" and other times, they are incorporated into the sphere at large through others' labeling.

From for-profit venture accelerators and women-owned web design to leather loafers that attempt to create jobs and courier services, sustainable business models are sometimes used as a synonym of green business.
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Environmental Proofreading
Environmental Proofreading
ab.editing Offers Editorial Services and Specialize in Green Issues
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Beneficial Beverage Companies
Beneficial Beverage Companies
Rebbl is a Social Enterprise Being Launched by Not For Sale
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Global Goods Tracking Sites
Global Goods Tracking Sites
The iuMAP Project Tracks and Maps Global Social Enterprise
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For-Profit Venture Accelerators
For-Profit Venture Accelerators
Good Company Incubates Businesses with a Social Mission
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Regal Anti-Drug Movements
Regal Anti-Drug Movements
Doi Tung Development Project Aims to Eradicate Opium and Trafficking
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Women-Owned Web Design
Women-Owned Web Design
YIKES, Inc. is a Competitive and Sustainable Business
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Ethical Furniture Retailers
Ethical Furniture Retailers
Chest of Drawers Ltd is Committed to Environmental Principles
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Sustainable Business Education Programs
Sustainable Business Education Programs
Springboard Innovation Is Designing the Future Locally
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Crafty Artisan-Made Computer Cases
Crafty Artisan-Made Computer Cases
'Intrinsic' Leverages the Creative Skills of Kenyan Workers
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Progressive Patterned Accessories
Progressive Patterned Accessories
The Batik Boutique Supports Single Mothers in Southeast Asia
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Cost-Efficient Solar Kits
Cost-Efficient Solar Kits
Learning Lights Produces Eco-Friendly Power Solutions for Countries
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Malawian Cotton Tees
Malawian Cotton Tees
AFRCN APPRL Funds Sustainable Entrepreneurs in Africa
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Sustainable Business-Creating Scarves
Sustainable Business-Creating Scarves
'fashionABLE' is Committed to Employing Women in Africa
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Vegan Fair Trade Ventures
Vegan Fair Trade Ventures
Autonomie Project is Fashion That Doesn't Hurt the Wallet or the Planet
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Magnanimous Mailing Services
Magnanimous Mailing Services
Mumbai's Mirakle Couriers Gives the Disadvantaged Much-Needed Work
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Pet-Saving Fashion
Pet-Saving Fashion
ecoCLOSET Provides Designer Clothing While Supporting Animal Rescue Groups
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Corporate Gifting for Good
Corporate Gifting for Good
Handcrafted Gifts from Zoe Alliance Offer Ethical Employment
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Fair Trade Zipper Clutches
Fair Trade Zipper Clutches
This Exotic and Sustainable Purse Supports Guatemalan Women
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Smallholder Coffee Farmers
Smallholder Coffee Farmers
Cafedirect Builds Communities Through Social Business
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Anti-Poverty Jewelry
Anti-Poverty Jewelry
'Me to We Artisans' Empowers Women & Promotes Tribal Style
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Worn Leather Loafers
Worn Leather Loafers
The Oliberte MAGADO and NAVIRO Shoes are Made in Ethiopia
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Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
Zambikes International Creates Jobs and Transportation in Zambia
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Found Material Jewelry
Found Material Jewelry
KORA Designs Worked with Artisans in Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana
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Punchy Coco-Fiber Doormats
Punchy Coco-Fiber Doormats
Sustainable Company Reed Wilson Design Has a Sense of Humor
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Haitian Artist Wearables
Haitian Artist Wearables
Moral Fibers is a Socially Innovative Start-Up Building Human Capital
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