Social Entrepreneurship Examples
Explore examples of social entrepreneurship in action
Your T-shirt and shoes, soap and ice cream? Yep. Marketing services and anti-human trafficking programs? Now you’re talking. Social enterprises are everywhere and they produce goods and services of all kinds. These companies can change entire industries. They create jobs, support well-being, and improve the environment. They link consumer interest in sustainability and social impact to business purpose and action.
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Warby Parker
Warby Parker offers high-quality eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and eye exams at an affordable price. The company works with a handful of partners worldwide to ensure that for every pair of glasses it sells a pair is distributed to someone in need.
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4Ocean
4Ocean offers bracelets made from recycled materials. Every bracelet purchased funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines.
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Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation products are healthy solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, people, and environment. Using renewable plant-based ingredients, the company’s products make a difference from development to production, purchase, use, and disposal.
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Athleta
Athleta makes beautiful, technical, and sustainable activewear. The company’s mission is to ignite the limitless potential of all women and girls.
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Patagonia
Patagonia offers much more than durable, ethically produced outdoor clothing and gear. For more than 50 years, the company has used its voice, business, & investments to protect the environment. It founded the global 1% for the Planet movement and is a leader in corporate activism.
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Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s is more than a super-premium ice cream company. It was one of the first companies in the world to focus on the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit. Ben & Jerry’s aims to create prosperity for everyone connected to their business.
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Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms has lit a pathway of healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction for more than 25 years. The organization ensures access to safe housing and jobs for financial independence, supported by sales of textiles, decor, accessories, bags, and jewelry.
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Reformation
Reformation makes sustainable clothing and accessories. Everything is made from low-impact materials, rescued deadstock fabrics, and repurposed vintage clothing. The company creates a safe, healthy, and fair working environment for workers throughout its supply chain.
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10,000 Villages
10,000 Villages is a pioneer of fair trade, offering ethically-sourced handcrafted wares. Every purchase directly impacts the life and community of its maker in a developing country. The company aims to break the cycle of generational poverty and ignite social change.