Although we are still only in the process of clambering out of one of largest and most profound economic downturns the world has ever seen, this impressive collection of social business breakthroughs is a refreshing reminder that there are plenty of companies and business leaders out there who care about more than merely profit at any cost.
From companies like the GAP using social media sites such as Facebook for charity-driven marketing to architectural firms building Rwandan hospitals free of charge, this gathering of social business breakthroughs highlights the remarkable business initiatives that manage to balance ethical and economic concerns simultaneously. As you will see from looking through these inspiring examples, the misconception that the two are mutually exclusive is rapidly going out of style.
50 Social Business Breakthroughs
An Eye-Opening Exploration of Ethically Inclined Business Ideas:
Jordan M — Mar 6, 2011 — Social Good
50
Celebrity Charity Calendars
the L'Oreal 2011 Hairdressers Against Aids Pushes Awarenes
49
Beer Bottle Bricks
The Heineken Wobo is a Booze Bottle That can Also be Used for Building
48
Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
Zambikes International Creates Jobs and Transportation in Zambia
47
Designer Disease Campaigns
Marc Jacob's 'Protect the Skin You're In' Ad Stars Marissa Miller
46
Children's Charity Shops
The 'Me to We Store' Launches in Toronto, Ontario
45
Charitable Champagne Galas
The Moet Chandeliers Ball is a Lavish Access Agency Production
44
Open Air Libraries
This Incredible Karo Architekten Design is a Public Repository Like No Other
43
Positive Impact Retailers
Blue Button is a Social Business Making a Mark
42
Fair Trade Underwear
Pants to Poverty is a Hip Social Enterprise That Raises “Underwearness"
41
Eco Charity Condoms (UPDATE)
Sir Richard's Condoms Are a Philanthropic Pleasure
40
Patriotic Charity Sneakers
The Air Jordan I Retro DW is Designed by Artist Dave White
39
Handi-Capable Cabs
Diamond Cab is Hong Kong's First Wheelchair-Friendly Taxi Service
38
Purpose-Based Marketing
‘Advertising for Good' Has a Social Mission
37
Fair Trade Beverages
LemonAid is a Chic Social Business with a Conscience
36
Social Media Shopping Ads
Get Gap Foursquare Deals with Just a Click of the "Follow" Button
35
Luxury Ethical Cosmetics
Bubble & Balm Creates Locally-Manufactured Fair Trade Products
34
Save the Dolphin Jewelry
The Temple St. Clair Dolphin Pendants and Rings Give Back
33
Tweeting Charity Scarves
Twitter Knitter Uses Social Media to Keep the Cold & Needy Warm
32
Fair Trade Cocoa
Divine Chocolate is a Social Business Partly Owned by Its Farmers
31
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank Has Revolutionized Finance
30
Extreme Billionaire Donations
‘Giving Pledge' has Mark Zuckerberg Donating Most of His Wealth
29
Charitable Playboy Fashions
These Marc Jacobs For Playboy Shirts Support Designers Against AIDS
28
Social Entrepreneur Associations
‘Ashoka: Innovators for the Public' is World-Changing
27
Handcrafted Sustainable Tea
Namasthe Tea Co. Creates an Ethical Balance
26
Community-Driven Workspaces
The Centre for Social Innovation Promotes New Ideas
25
Ethical Ad Firms
Do Good Advertising is Socially and Environmentally Conscious
24
Social Change Investments
The Ethical Property Company Provides Affordable Offices
23
Sustainable Communications Agencies
Neo Helps Social and Environmental Organizations Succeed
22
Social Business Marketplaces
ClearlySo is a Website Connecting Investors and Enterprises
21
For-Profit Social Ventures
The TOMS Shoes Movement Creates Customer-Philanthropists
20
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
19
Check-In for Charity
The Foodspotting Spotathon Challenge Feeds Those in Need
18
Fair Trade Bulk Apparel
Epona Clothing Supplies Ethical Tees for Charities, Schools & Businesses
17
Charitable Sanitary Napkins
Sustainable Health Enterprises Distributes Low-Cost Feminine Pads
16
Smallholder Coffee Farmers
Cafedirect Builds Communities Through Social Business
15
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Zaytoun Imports Organic and Fair Trade Products
14
Search Engine Charity
Google Donates $250,000 to iGotITtoo to Digitally Underserved Communities
13
Social Business Info Portals
Via3 Offers Publicity and Networking for Ethical Companies
12
Credit Card Donations
The SwipeGood Model Automates Small Contributions for Big Change
11
Charitable Crowd-Funded Films
The Heartbreak Fund Promises to Give 50% of Profits to Charity
10
Fair Trade Shea Butter
Delapointe's Products are Made by Women in Burkina Faso
9
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Better World Books Aims to Alleviate Poverty Through Literacy
8
Social Advisory Firms
Intellecap is a ‘Think and Do' Tank With Market-Based Strategies
7
Comprehensive Vision Care Access
Aravind Eye Hospital Combats Needless Blindness in Rural India
6
Charitable Twitter Booze
Bid on Signed Fledgling Wine Bottles and a Meeting with Biz Stone
5
Social Enterprise Magazines
Beyond Profit Provides Content to Spark Positive Change
4
Social Business Rehabs
San Patrignano Offers Free Programs for Those with Addiction Problems
3
Dramatic Social Enterprises
13th Theatre Company Uses the Performing Arts to Build Confidence
2
Charitable Location-Based Apps
Every Check-In Changes the World with the CauseWorld App
1
Market-Oriented Non-Profits
Acumen Fund Uses Entrepreneurial Strategies to Fight Global Poverty
Related Ideas
Couture Bathroom Tissue Fashion
The 2024 Cashmere Collection Merges Fashion and Philanthropy
Inclusive Hotel Soaps
Diamond Brown Aims to Pioneer Inclusivity in Hotel Amenities
Artistic NYC Watch Collections
The Swatch x Keith Haring BREAK FREE Collection is 80s-Inspired
Sustainable Versatile Capsules
Reformation Unveils Sustainable Collection Designed by Camille Rowe
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Immersive Wellness Experiences
Othership Pioneers Emotional Wellness With Immersive Experiences
Eco Storytelling Workwear Campaigns
Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
Kind Gardening Pop-Ups
Mrs. Meyer's Compassion Store Trades Generous Acts for Garden Essentials
Playful Entrepreneurial Metaverses
e.l.f. UP! on Roblox Helps Gen Z & Gen Alpha Build Skills
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
Digital Sustainable Food Solutions
Special Projects Debuts Eco Lenses to Help with Decision-Making
Environmental Cost Receipts
ASKET's Impact Receipts Measure Water Usage, CO2 Emissions & More
Global Handbag Campaigns
Coach's New 'Unlock Your Courage' Campaign Promotes Personal Expression
Social Movement Medals
The Openness Medal by Samsung Invites Gen Z to Share Challenges
Entertainment Industry Expansions
Starbucks Enters the Entertainment Industry as Starbucks Studio
Retail Overconsumption Campaigns
Coachtopia's 'The Wasted Parts' Explores Overconsumption Culture
Brainstorming Business Idea Tools
IdeaMate is the Solution to Fighting Stale Business Ideas
Beauty Innovation Contests
Estée Lauder Launches The Catalysts Program
Digital Creator Revenue Shifts
Newsletter Platform Beehiiv Lets Readers Set Their Own Price
Creativity-Centered Workshops
Gap's Workshop Initiative Empowers Local Makers in San Francisco
AR Shopping Malls
American Express' Door to Shop Small Highlights 10 Small Businesses
Therapeutic Nature-Inspired Campaigns
Craghoppers Introduces Its Autumn/winter 2024 Campaign
Ethical Coffee Partnerships
Win Win Coffee Collaborates with Aramark for Community Impact
Social Commerce Apps
GIST is an App-Based Social Platform for Sharing Purchases with Friends
Boycott-Supporting Phone Apps
Buycott Helps Consumers Decide Whether to Buy or Avoid a Brand
Mindful-Shopping Campaigns
The Ordinary’s 'Slovember' Campaign Promotes Intentional Shopping
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Perception-Challenging Art Exhibitions
Raise the Moral Studio Presents the Becoming Familiar Show
Experiential Social Clubs
Marshalls' Good Stuff Social Club Empowers & Connects Women
Viral Video Databases
Viral Ideas Offers Inspiration for a Content Creator's Next Big Video
Value-Based Shopping Apps
Veebs Encourages Consumers to Learn About a Brand's Ethical Values
Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns
Jewelry Brand MWCurated Uses Fake Infidelity Flyers for Marketing
Circular Fashion-Enabling Partnerships
Coach and Poshmark's Collaboration Makes Buyer Resale Easy
Ethical Premium Bedding
Linen Reform is Revolutionizing the Home Textile Market
Avant-Garde Coffee Table Books
New Society Hosts 'Decentralization, Please Save Culture' Event
Charity Health-Tech Apps
Helpster Charity Connects Sectors to provide Essential Healthcare
Plastic Waste Brand Initiatives
Roberts Beauty Partnered with Oceanworks to Reduce Plastic Use
In-Store Audience Engagement Solutions
Social Shelf® Has a Novel Approach to Customer Engagement
Integrated Influencer Marketing Platforms
SocialTalk Helps Users Discover, Track, and Connect
Phone Breakup Newsletters
The Guardian's 'Reclaim Your Brain' Newsletter Helps Reduce Screen Time
Collaborative Digital Coffee Campaigns
illy Launches its Digital Content Series 'Coffee Break'
Marketing Idea Generators
Thunderbucket Provides Marketing Ideas and Observations at Speed
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Healthcare Innovation-Enhancing Platforms
Chiesi Launches 'The Impulse' for Healthcare Innovations
Product Exploration Retailer Tools
These New Instacart Discovery Tools Connect Brands to Retailers
Human Connection-Centric Campaigns
Etsy's New Ad Campaign Wants to Keep Commerce Human
Comprehensive Health Care Suites
Bright Sits on the Intersection of Technology and Health
Idea Validating Platforms
HeadStarter Helps Entrepreneurs Discover If Their Idea Exists
Reformulated Skincare Rebrands
Bath & Body Works Underwent a Large-scale Shift to Cleaner Products
Contemporary Eco-Conscious Footwear Brands
Juntos Stands Out for Its Commitment to Sustainability
Supportive Entrepreneur Communities
Ooutliers Shares Insights From Successful Startups
Business Founder Newsletters
The Solo Founder Newsletter Compiles the Top News and Inspiration
Healthcare Startup Accelerator Programs
Healthworx Partners with Highmark Inc. & LifeBridge Health
Inspiring Daily Bodycare
method's Unleash Your Inner Shower Celebrates Personal Transformations
Uplifting Latin Business Campaigns
UPS is Championing Latin and Hispanic-Owned Small Businesses
Beauty Innovation Funds
L’Oréal's Inclusive Beauty Fund Recipients Were Announced
Tech-Powered Business Solutions
Apple Business Connect Leverages the Brand's User Base
Wasteful Fashion Campaigns
Vestiaire Collective Reminded People to Shop Mindfully on Black Friday
Gen Z Motivational Apps
The Etherea App is Driven by Motivators and Sustainable Actions
Ethical AI Guides
Info-Tech Research Group Has Introduced a New Guide Aimed at Organizations
Loneliness-Combating Social Campaigns
Hinge Launches the New One More Hour Campaign and Fund
Sports-Centric Digital Collectibles Platform
Sweet Took Part in the Launch of NHL Breakaway
Kindness-Promoting Marketing Campaigns
Once Upon a Coconut Launches 1 Million Acts of Kindness
Sustainable Funding Summits
Emerald Summit Connects Climate Innovators with Impact Investors
Eco-Conscious Production Facilities
Soorty Enterprises Achieves SBTi Validation for Its Eco Goals
Charitable Shopping Assistants
Give Freely Harnesses the Power of Online Shopping for Good
Irreverent Ethical Soap Campaigns
Pure Rush Soap's New Ad is a Fresh Take on Sustainable Branding
Private Social Photo Apps
The 'Retro' App Focuses on Mindful Sharing with Select Others
Social Justice Desert Campaigns
Ben & Jerry's 'Make Some Motherchunkin' Change' Campaign Debuted
Global Storytelling Initatives
Vans Announces its Narrative-Centric Always Pushing Campaign
Accessible Mixed-Reality Media
Chapter 2 Welcomes New Society to Revolutionize the Media Frontier
Social Good Computer Drives
Digitunity Partners with OBAE to Address Technological Barriers
Marketing Social Advocacy Tools
Nut Tree Helps Smaller Brands Boost Their Presence
Circular Fashion Docuseries
The Road to Circularity by Coachtopia Shares Sustainability Challenges
Diversity-Promoting Beauty Campaigns
e.l.f. Cosmetics Releases a Thought-Provoking Message
Idea-Testing Startup Tools
Startup Idea Tester Streamlines the Early Stages of a Business
Educational Agriculture Platforms
The Accountability Framework Initiative Emphasizes Ethics
Artful Reflective Art Exhibitions
Rice Roshan Showcases The Space in Between Exhibit
Mindful Illumination Holiday Campaigns
Santa & Cole Presents a Warm Embracing Light Campaign
Health Equity Initiatives
Staples Canada's 'Close the Gap' Campaign Addresses Health Disparities
Affordable Lifestyle Directories
'I Have This Friend' Makes Aspirational Living More Accessible
Disaster Relief-Supporting Pr Initiatives
Publicity for Good Supports Hurricane Helene Relief
Chance to win £10,000
Meet the Cornish upcycler inspiring people
Sustainable Finance Accelerators
Commerzbank Taps Tenity for a New Sustainable Finance Accelerator
Pro-Community Social Media Apps
Take Creates Real Life Interactions Through a Social Network
Sustainable Brand Certificates
b, halfmoon Recently Became a Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp™)
AI-Driven Business Transformations
'Unlock the Power of AI' Helps Businesses Integrate AI
Anniversary-Celebrating Nonprofit Partnerships
LILYSILK Engages in Philanthropic Partnerships
Socially Conscious Wine Producers
Lubanzi Wines Boasts a Range of Delicious Beverage Options
Sustainable Charcoal Brands
The Good Charcoal Company Sponsors Free BBQs for Those in Need
Customer Gifting Suites
Grey Bandit's Gifting Suite Gave Customers the Influencer Treatment
Minimal Environmental Footprint Hotels
'Shorebreak Resort' is Committed to Reducing its Footprint
Inspirational Learning Management Tools
'Get Inspired' Offers Digestible Snippets of Content
AI Business Consultants
15-Minute Business Plans Helps Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
Disruptive Hairstyling Campaigns
Bed Head's The Lab of Life Breaks the Fourth Wall
Marketing Mentorship Platforms
Sprout Social Launches as a New Business Mentorship Network
Mindful Sabbatical Planners
This Planner Helps People Navigate and Reflect on the Work Breaks
Plant-Based Retail Platforms
Earth Pass Connects Eco Consumers and Vegan Brands
Entrepreneurial Mentorship platforms
GrowthMentor Connects Individuals for 1:1 Support
Awareness-Raising Poverty Campaigns
Oxfam Australia Debuts a Platform Called 'Unaccept Inequality'
Effective Productivity Strategies
64Hacks Takes a Community-Driven Approach to Streamline Workflow
Climate-Awareness Soft Art Sculptures
GREEN GRADS Features Roberta Schreyer's Dreamstones
Wellness Discovery Platforms
Wellworthy Helps Individuals Navigate the Health and Wellness Market
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Supportive Entrepreneurial Communities
The Zenpreneur Community Provides Resources and Support
Beginner Business Wisdom
Beginner Maps Uses Insights From Experts to Help New Businesses Thrive
Expansive Inclusivity Initiatives
Boathouse Group Implements a Supplier Diversity Program
Comprehensive Business System Tools
Dean Graziosi Upgrades the Mastermind Business System
Network-Connecting AI Solutions
Village AI Connect with Your Network to Close Deals
Post-Launch Entrepreneurial Newsletters
One Year Wiser Interviews People One Year After Launch
Luxury Hotel ESG Commitments
Accor is Increasing its Sustainability Efforts and Elevating Comfort
Social Isolation-Combating Platforms
TimeBank by Healthfirst Foundation Has Debuted a New Platform
Connective Non-Profit Funding
Wingtap Connects Users with Charities in Need of Fund
Sustainability-Focused Building Renovations
Climate Group Launches the Renovation Revolution
Comprehensive Business Loyalty Solutions
BusinessQR Helps Brands Build Customer Loyalty
Modern Business Card Scanners
Spreadly Scan Brings Networking to the Modern Age
Screen-Limiting Phone Apps
Takebreak Encourages People to Have a Better Work-Life Balance
Natural Material-Transformed Artworks
Borrowed Earth Collaborative Uses Natural Materials for Art
Entrepreneur Brand-Building Tools
IndieLogs Helps Founders Stand Out Through Personalized Profiles
Emerging London Designer Exhibitions
POOR Collective Showcases the Powershift Exhibition in London
Cocktail-Inspired Togetherness Activations
Smirnoff's Global Connectivity Initiative Launched
Social Good Brand Practices
Dignity Coconuts Positions Itself to Combat Human Trafficking
Anonymous Gratitude-Exchanging Platforms
'A Little Optimism' Let's People Share Weekly Gratitudes
Ethical GenAI Tools
Brandtech Group's Bias Breaker Produces More Diverse and Inclusive Images
Inventive Charity Initiatives
Spark Financial's Annual Charity Initiative is for Autism Awareness
Pre-Launch B2B Startup Apps
Faindrr Focuses on Growth and Connections Between new Startup Founders
Intellectually Stimulating Social Media
Maven Goes Back to Basics with Traditional Algorithms
Hacker News Insights
Hacker Search Bridges the Gap Between Anecdotal Evidence and Expert Knowledge
Daily Inspirational Quotes
Models of Life Offers Real, Inspirational Quotes and Narratives
Empowering Trader-Focused Campaigns
Vantage Markets Debuts New Phase of Reborn a Trader
Empowering Educational Initiatives
Sight School Empowers Individuals with Visual Impairments
Entrepreneurial Journey Insights
Founder Folks Teaches You How Founders Launched Their Business
Explorative Entrepreneur Ideas
Hustle Momumtum Invites You to Discover and Launch Side Hustles
Daily-Prompting Social Journals
Journal. Invites Users to Share Their Thoughts and Feelings
Mental Health Community Engagement
OOt Social Health Recently Launched Its Application
Human-First Incubators
The With Life Cultivator Grow Organizations with a People-Centered Approach
Business Slogan Generators
The Slogan Generator Will Create a Catchy Slogan for Any Business
Entrepreneurial Community Building
VenturePals Steps in to Help Solo Entrepreneurs Find Community
Growth-Based Marketing Platforms
Crowdtiv Connects Mentors and Mentees to Grow Businesses
Team-Based Wellness Challenges
Bright Break Enhances the Well-Being of Remote and Hybrid Employees