B Corp Hackathon to Put Local Businesses on Certification Fast Track

Asheville B Corp Network invites area businesses with strong environmental or social performance to their June 21 event

The owners of area certified B Corporations (B Corps) and Mountain BizWorks have joined forces as the Asheville B Corp Network with one goal in mind: to make Western North Carolina a B Corp hub. To that end, they invite companies currently working toward certification or others interested in learning more about becoming a B Corp to their Fast Track Hackathon on June 21 at Deltec Homes from 3 to 5 pm. Attendees will work toward completing the B Impact Assessment—central to the certification process—and will be able to share and learn best practices with existing B Corps and representatives from the B Lab certifying agency. Deltec, WNC’s newest certified B Corp, will offer an optional tour of their facility from 2:30-3 pm before the event begins. A networking social will immediately follow the hackathon from 5:30 until 7 pm at New Belgium Brewing, also a proud B Corp engaged both locally and globally in the cause.

According to the nonprofit B Lab, B Corps are for-profit businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability and aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems. Currently, there are more than 1,600 Certified B Corps in 40 plus countries. With this event, and future happenings, Asheville B Corp Network aims to ensure WNC plays a role in growing this powerful community.

“Our region is home to a great number of triple bottom line companies that maximize social and environmental impacts along with financial results,” says Peter Krull, president of B Corp Krull & Company, a local investment and financial planning firm. “The Asheville B Corp Network wants to help connect and certify these entrepreneurs and businesses so they can advance their efforts and gain the benefits of achieving B Corp certification.”

Local B Corp owners and members from the global B Lab team will be on hand to assist business owners in the certification process. A social following the hackathon at New Belgium Brewing’s new Liquid Center will provide networking opportunities and the chance to celebrate sustainable business in WNC. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is required. Deltec is located at 69 Bingham Road. To learn more about the Asheville B Corp Network and register, visit mountainbizworks.org/bcorps.

ABOUT MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS
Mountain BizWorks is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) helping small businesses in WNC start, grow, and thrive. They provide peer-to-peer business coaching and loans to businesses that may find it difficult to receive funding from banks and other traditional sources. By supporting entrepreneurs, the organization generates jobs and ensures economic resiliency in the region. For more information about their work, visit mountainbizworks.org or call (828) 253-2834.