The Craftory is the first UK-based investment company, investing exclusively in purpose-led consumer goods, to achieve B Corp certification.

B Corp is a prestigious global movement of over 3,200 pioneering companies that use business as a force for good, and includes trail blazers like Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, and KickStarter.

To certify as a B Corp, The Craftory has demonstrated that it meets rigorous standards of accountability, transparency, and social and environmental performance impact.

As the leading source of permanent cause capital to CPG challenger Brands, this is a major landmark for the Craftory and its efforts to raise the ESG standards of the Consumer Goods industry, which impact billions of lives everyday and the world we leave to future generations.

The bigger picture

Last year, the Business Roundtable updated its statement on the purpose of companies, declaring that corporations have a responsibility to society. It was a significant evolution of the group’s previous position, which emphasised stockholder returns as “the paramount duty” of boards and management.

The Craftory’s message is clear: investors must match the ambition of businesses to deliver financial performance as well as a positive contribution to society, benefiting customers and communities as well as shareholders.

What is Cause Capital?

The Craftory offers permanent investment capital to businesses driven by strong progressive causes. The philosophy of righteous causes can be grouped into five complimentary themes:

Deliver Good Health: Enable wholesome nutrition, streamline wellness, and unlock longevity for everyone.

Democratise Access: Focus on value, eliminating gatekeepers, promote the use of direct and digital channels.

Progress Society: Stand for equality and human rights, debunk taboos, pay it forward whenever possible.

Prosper Sustainably: Efficient use of resources, responsible energy use, boost alternatives to incumbent or out of date business practices.

Champion Self-Esteem: Promote the acceptance of diversity, attack harmful stereotypes, support body, mind and spirit.

Elio Leoni Sceti, Co-founder of The Craftory, said: “For us, becoming a B Corp was a no brainer. Just as brands that have a reason to exist beyond simply making money have always been our focus, purpose has been in our DNA since day one. The tide of history has turned – for today’s consumers it’s about honesty, provenance, quality and sustainable use of our planet’s resources. This is everything that B Corp stands for and we’re proud to demonstrate that we hold ourselves to the same standards as our investments. This is the result of a lot of hard work from our team and something we view as a remarkable achievement for a company that’s less than two years into its journey.”

Laura Tran, crafter and coordinator of the Craftory’s B Corp accreditation said: “For me, investing in businesses fueled by a mission will always be the most important reason to be part of the Craftory. While leading the process of becoming a B Corp, I’ve been immensely proud to see purpose and mission in every aspect of our company, as well as our collective commitment to constant  self-improvement.”

Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Craftory into the B Corp community as an investor dedicated to offering capital to businesses driven by strong values. It’s clear that this is a business committed to being a force for good. We know that The Craftory joining our community will inspire other investors and will help to spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit.”