Want to Be a B Corp? We’ll Help You Get There!

At PBC, we believe business can - and should - be a force for good. That’s why we’re proud to announce a new partnership which will see one lucky SME get the opportunity to acquire the globally recognised environmental kitemark for businesses, a B Corp Certification.

Companies such as Innocent, Jo Jo Maman Bébé and The Body Shop are all B Corp Certified and for many entrepreneurs, this is now a vital part of having a successful business – not just when looking for investment but also when hiring staff and selling to increasingly environmental conscious buyers.

We’ve teamed up with transformacy, a consultancy which helps organisations to become purpose-driven brands and achieve B Corp Certification, to offer one London-based business a transformative opportunity: full financial and expert support to become certified themselves.

This unique competition is part of our wider mission to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs across London with meaningful, future-proof growth pathways.

B Corp Certification is the globally recognised benchmark for businesses that prioritise social and environmental responsibility alongside profit. Becoming B Corp certified isn’t easy - it involves rigorous standards and an in-depth verification process - but the benefits are significant.

Certification demonstrates to customers, investors and employees that your business stands for more than profit: it stands for impact.

Through this initiative, one selected SME will receive end-to-end consultancy and funding to complete their B Corp journey. PBC and transformacy are covering the full cost, eliminating financial and logistical barriers that often prevent even the most committed businesses from pursuing certification.

Here’s the timeline:

• Early September 2025: Launch. What is B Corp and Why It Matters workshop

• Mid-September: Applications open for London-based SMEs (1–250 employees, turnover less than £500,000) with a strong sense of purpose.

• October: Finalists will pitch their mission, impact and readiness to a joint judging panel.

• November 2025 to June 2026: The winning business receives one-to-one support from transformacy through every step of the certification process.

• Summer 2026: We celebrate the winner’s success and share their story

Dr. Sheela Sharma, CEO of PBC, says:

"B Corp has become the gold standard for businesses that want to align profit with purpose. But for many small businesses, the process can feel out of reach - too costly, too complex. That’s why this partnership with transformacy is so important.

“We want to make it possible for one outstanding SME to achieve certification and inspire many more to start their own sustainability journey, whether or not they pursue B Corp status themselves."

Says transformacy Managing Partner Charlie Trietline:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Portobello Business Centre to offer this fantastic opportunity to a deserving new business. Achieving B Corp certification can be truly transformative, it helps businesses grow with purpose, attract like-minded people, and build genuine trust with customers and wider stakeholders. It’s far more than just a badge, it represents a fundamental shift in how a business operates for the greater good.

"We’re excited to support the winner on this journey and help them realise the full value of becoming a force for positive change.”

If you're ready to take your business to the next level and lead with impact, keep an eye out for our application launch in September.