Bcorpsea

Editor's Note

This month’s stories share a clear direction: business is increasingly being shaped by intention, not just output. Across regions and industries, there is a steady shift toward clearer communication, stronger accountability, and more grounded ways of working. Companies are focused, whether they are building teams, designing experiences, or talking about impact, when they prioritize substance over noise for actions that match values.

The highlight of May 2026 is B Lab Global’s 20th anniversary. What began with three friends testing whether business could serve people and the planet has grown into a global ecosystem of more than 10,000 certified companies across 100 countries, with over a million people carrying a B. Watch the video that B Lab has released to see how far the movement has come, and where it’s headed next.

Looking ahead, we’re especially excited for the B Corp Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur this June and the chance to connect with many of you in person.

The B Market Builder community is always here, supporting, sharing, and growing alongside you.

B Market Builder Southeast Asia Team

News from ASEAN

Growing the B Corp Community in Southeast Asia

We are excited to welcome three purpose-led businesses to our community.

  • 5 ELK helps businesses build high-performing teams through ethical offshore staffing and operational support from the Philippines.
  • Above Creative Events (M) Sdn. Bhd. is an award-winning events agency that creates standout corporate experiences across physical, virtual, and hybrid formats.
  • Booth, previously certified under B Lab Singapore, provides responsible remote staffing solutions that help businesses grow while staying aligned with their values.
Growing the B Corp Community in Southeast Asia

Before ESG, There Was Relationship

Sukkha Cita’s Earth Day message revisits Pertiwi, the Javanese understanding of earth as a living mother rather than an environmental cause. It honors women across generations who carried that relationship instinctively, from elders like Ibu Kasmini, who spent decades reading the land, to Dr. Sylvia Earle, still exploring the ocean at 90. The message we all need to remember is that a connection to the earth already exists in people. It only asks to be remembered.

What a People-First Q1 Looks Like

PALO IT’s Q1 recap highlights a culture built around people first, not process. Across APAC, Europe, and the Americas, the first quarter brought AI lunch-and-learns, sustainability workshops, and informal team gatherings that reinforced shared values across time zones.

What Does Organic Farming Achieve? English Tea Shop Explores

English Tea Shop highlights its organic farming mission, centered on soil health and long-term sustainability. In partnership with CGIAR and rA (responsAbility), the company is studying soil organic carbon across Sri Lankan farms to better measure impact. The initiative spans multiple regions and farmer groups, aiming to strengthen ecosystems, livelihoods, and climate resilience through a deeper scientific understanding of regenerative agriculture.

KMC Sportsfest Strengthens Bonds Beyond Work

KMC Sportsfest 2026 brought colleagues together for a day of friendly competition, team spirit, and celebration at Kerry Sports Manila. From exhibition games and team parades to the crowd-favorite Muse Competition, the event highlighted the connections that extend beyond the workplace. The event reflected KMC’s commitment to building community, strengthening relationships, and making work and life better.

EXO Moves from the Shoreline to the Rich Heritage of Phuket

EXO Travel highlights a different side of Phuket, shifting attention from beaches to the island’s cultural and historical depth. The feature explores Sino-Portuguese architecture, Chinese shrines, Buddhist sites, and local village traditions in southern Thailand. Read on to discover experiences that connect travelers more closely with the island’s heritage and everyday life.

In The Network

Between Greenwashing and Greenhushing, Finding Your Voice

Charlotte Levitt, B Lab’s Global Marketing & Communications Director, reflects on the launch of the Greenshouting Guide, a framework to help brands communicate their sustainability work with clarity and honesty. By challenging how sustainability communication is handled inside organizations, the framework pushes teams to speak more precisely about progress, gaps, and responsibility rather than defaulting to caution or overstatement.

20 Years of Business as a Force for Good

The B Corp movement marks 20 years since its founding, reflecting on a shared effort to redefine the role of business in society. What began in 2006 with three founders and 81 certified companies has grown into a global community of more than 10,000 B Corps across 100+ countries. This milestone captures a journey shaped by the people building it, from early pioneers to today’s global network still pushing the system forward.

A Reflection of Collective Change

B Lab Nordics celebrates two decades of the B Corp movement through a 2026 Special-Edition Impact Report shaped by voices across its global community. The report features an interactive timeline of key milestones, reflections on progress, and perspectives on the movement’s next chapter, highlighting contributions from leaders and partners who continue to shape its evolution.

Happening This Month

The Countdown to the B Corp Asia Summit 2026 Begins

The B Corp Asia Summit 2026 is almost here. Happening on 22–23 June in Kuala Lumpur, the summit will bring together Asia’s purpose-led businesses and spotlight how business as a force for good drives real impact across the region. Attendees can extend the experience with optional site visits on 24–25 June for deeper, on-the-ground learning.

Stay tuned for more updates! Got questions? Drop us a message at comms@bcorpsea.org.

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