Department of Social Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneurship Examples
Explore examples of social entrepreneurship in action.
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.
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.
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.
4Ocean
4Ocean offers bracelets made from recycled materials. Every bracelet purchased funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines.
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.
Clean the World
Clean the World reduces hotel waste by collecting and recycling discarded soap and plastic amenity bottles from hospitality partners. It then distributes life-saving hygiene products to those in need, helping to prevent millions of pneumonia and cholera illnesses and deaths every year.
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.
The Body Shop
The Body Shop has been fighting for a fairer world with compassion, campaigns, and community-driven beauty products for more than 35 years. The company is one of the founders of the modern Corporate Social Responsibility movement.
TOMS
TOMS manufactures shoes, apparel, accessories, eyeglasses, and sunglasses; every purchase helps create a more equitable tomorrow. The company invests 1/3 of profits for grassroots good, including cash grants and partnerships with community organizations, to drive change.
Athleta
Athleta makes beautiful, technical, and sustainable activewear. The company’s mission is to ignite the limitless potential of all women and girls.
KOS
Kos believes in creating social impact through coffee. With each product sold, KOS donates a portion of profits directly to non-profit organizations focused on educational initiatives, neighborhood revitalization, and poverty alleviation around the world.
Kickstarter
Kickstarter helps bring creative projects to life. The company helps creators connect directly with their communities, putting power where it belongs. Kickstarter is a for-profit company that prioritizes positive outcomes for society as much as its shareholders.
Stonyfield Organic
Stonyfield Organic knows that healthy food means healthier people, healthier business, and a healthier planet. The company pioneers planet-friendly business practices and its ingredient purchases support hundreds of organic family farms, thousands of cows, and over 200,000 acres.
Newman's Own
Newman’s Own is a food and beverage company where actor Paul Newman’s commitment to donate 100% of after-tax profits continues to support educational and charitable organizations. More than $550 million has been donated so far.
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.
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. Social enterprises provide revenue for the mission.