How to Start a B Corp (Benefit Corporation) - Full Guide

Get started with B Lab to take the B Impact Assessment and begin your journey toward becoming a Certified B Corporation: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/ In this video, I go over how to start a B Corp (Benefit Corporation), including what it actually means and how it’s different from a Certified B Corporation. A Benefit Corporation is a legal business structure that allows mission-driven companies to pursue both profit and positive impact. It's different from a Certified B Corporation, which is a third-party certification issued by B Lab. I’ll explain how both work and which one to focus on first when you’re just starting out. You can also use LegalZoom to start a certified B Corporation and meet legal requirements for social and environmental impact: https://startupwise.com/legalzoomllc/ Our favorite business must-haves: 💳 Best business credit cards: https://startupwise.com/creditcards 🏦 Novo (best business bank): https://startupwise.com/novo 🖥 Best AI website builder ($3/month using code STARTUPWISE): https://startupwise.com/hostinger/ ⚙ Northwest (best $39 LLC formation service): https://startupwise.com/northwestLLC 🎃 Try Gusto and get a $100 gift card with our link: https://startupwise.com/gusto 👨💼 Best overseas staffing agency (save 80% on payroll): https://paired.so/startupwise Be sure to watch this video until the end because I’ll walk you through the full formation process, from checking if your state supports Benefit Corporations, filing your Articles of Incorporation with public benefit language, drafting your company’s mission statement, updating your bylaws, and filing your first annual benefit report. One of the biggest benefits of starting a B Corp is that your business is legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on workers, the community, and the environment, not just shareholders. Companies like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, and Kickstarter are B Corps that have built strong reputations by aligning profit with purpose. If you're a founder who wants to protect your mission as you grow, attract values-driven customers, and stand out in a competitive market, forming a B Corp could be the right move. By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly how to start a Benefit Corporation and whether it’s the right structure for your business. If you found this video helpful, be sure to check out our other videos on: How to File an S‑Corp Election with LegalZoom (Step‑by‑Step): https://youtu.be/SSngK-gfVmI How to File a Nonprofit with LegalZoom (Complete Beginner’s Guide): https://youtu.be/pZfqQJETOMI Request New Videos Here: https://forms.gle/k9TtfauggkEpAWNQA More tutorials on our website: https://www.startupwise.com Thanks for watching! I hope you have a wonderful day! – Eric #HowToStartABCorp #BenefitCorporation #BCorpCertification Timeline: 0:00 - Introduction 0:16 - What Is a B Corp? (Benefit Corporation vs Certified B Corp) 1:48 - Understanding the Difference Between Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp 2:28 - Choosing the Best State to Register Your B Corp 3:10 - Filing Articles of Incorporation for a Benefit Corporation 3:50 - Writing a Strong Public Benefit Statement for Your B Corp 4:21 - Updating Bylaws or Operating Agreements for B Corp Compliance 5:03 - Selecting a Third-Party Standard to Measure Your B Corp Impact 5:41 - Filing an Annual Benefit Report as a Benefit Corporation 6:15 - Becoming a Certified B Corporation Through B Lab 7:47 - Conclusion Disclaimer: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you click on them. The commission is paid by the retailers at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you! All info from our videos is compiled from online sources and our own experience, and we encourage you to do your due diligence. We appreciate your viewership! In addition, we are not financial advisors. StartupWise does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. The ideas presented in this video are for entertainment purposes only. Please do your due diligence before making any financial decisions.