Disruptors for GOOD | Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises

Ben & Jerry’s is often celebrated as the blueprint for socially conscious capitalism, a company that set out to prove business could serve both profit and purpose.Founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the brand grew from a local scoop shop into a global symbol of activism wrapped in indulgence.Its mission, famously defined as a three-part balance between product quality, economic sustainability, and social justice, positioned the company decades ahead of mainstream corporate responsibility trends.But behind the lighthearted flavor names and progressive branding lies a far more complicated story. Over the past four decades, Ben & Jerry’s has struggled to reconcile its idealism with industrial reality, and its activism with corporate ownership.The 2000 acquisition by Unilever(SEC Filing) marked a turning point, one that gave the brand global reach but also sparked ongoing tension over how far a subsidiary can push social and political boundaries inside a multinational conglomerate.The company’s evolution highlights both the potential and the pitfalls of value-driven business. Its impact programs, from Fairtrade sourcing and regenerative agriculture to refugee employment and racial equity initiatives, have made real contributions to ethical commerce.Yet, the same mission has exposed Ben & Jerry’s to accusations of hypocrisy and partisanship. The gap between its public commitments and operational constraints has grown increasingly visible as global scrutiny around corporate activism intensifies.Today, Ben & Jerry’s stands as both a pioneer and a cautionary tale.Its enduring popularity and strong brand equity demonstrate the power of purpose-driven storytelling, while its public controversies and internal governance conflicts reveal the structural limits of idealism in a profit-driven system.The lessons drawn from its trajectory extend well beyond ice cream, they speak to the broader tension facing any brand that dares to mix business with belief.Full case study ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

Climate action often feels heavy. The headlines focus on crisis, the solutions demand sacrifice, and the average person ends up believing their choices are too small to matter.Robert Luo has been working to break that cycle.As the CEO of Tanbii, he is building a platform that turns climate restoration into a daily habit through play.His team has found a way to turn virtual energy into real world reforestation.The idea is simple.When people enjoy something, they stick with it.When they see the results of their actions, they stay committed.Tanbii uses those truths to make sustainability feel accessible, social, and rewarding.Players plant virtual trees, complete missions, and build worlds within the game.Behind the scenes, every eligible planting triggers a real tree planted on the ground through verified NGO partners.What began as a frustration with the traditional sustainability message has grown into a global early access community with thousands of players and thousands of trees already planted.In this interview, Robert breaks down the origin story of Tanbii, how the platform works, and what it takes to create a climate action experience that people actually enjoy.Full interview ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

Allbirds is a sustainable footwear and apparel company founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, California (though with roots in New Zealand).Its mission centers on creating environmentally responsible apparel using natural materials, minimizing carbon footprint, and promoting sustainable consumer habits.From its early viral growth and celebrity adoption to raising hundreds of millions and going public in 2021, Allbirds enjoyed momentum as a “sustainable darling.”However, since its IPO, the company has struggled with declining revenues, losses, leadership turnover, over expansion, and brand fatigue. In 2024, revenues fell ~25 % year over year to ~$189.8 million, with net losses exceeding $93 million.Key lessons include the hazards of rapid product-line expansion beyond core brand identity, balancing growth with profitability, and the challenge of proving sustainability claims under investor scrutiny.The remainder of this case study dissects Allbirds’ journey across structural, financial, competitive, operational, and strategic dimensions, and concludes with forward-looking recommendations and lessons for other impact-driven companies.Full case study here ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

The idea that doing good should be simple is not new. The problem is the world rarely makes it simple. That is where Tab for a Cause comes in. What started as a clever college experiment has grown into one of the most accessible digital giving tools on the internet.With nothing more than an internet connection and the habit of opening new browser tabs, millions of people have helped raise real dollars for causes that matter.Under the leadership of co founder and CEO Alex Groth, the company has pushed a straightforward idea into a global engine for everyday generosity.The platform has already helped raise two million dollars for nonprofit partners, all without asking users for a single cent.It turns a routine digital behavior into a steady source of funding for environmental, health, education, and animal welfare efforts around the world.Below, Alex walks through the origin story, the mission, how the business works, and what tools power the team behind it.Read full interview. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In the crowded world of consumer packaged goods, few companies truly live their mission from the inside out. Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages, founded in 2012 in Hilo, Hawai‘i, stands apart as one that does.Co-founded by Ryan Emmons, his cousin Alex Preston, and friend Matt Meyer, the brand was built on a simple but revolutionary idea: great taste should never come at the planet’s expense.From using 100% post-consumer recycled plastic to pioneering OceanPlast®, a proprietary coastal recycling initiative, and creating the Kōkua Initiative nonprofit to uplift local communities, Waiākea has become a model for what the next generation of sustainable businesses can be.The company’s products, from its naturally alkaline volcanic water to its new coffee line, all flow from a foundation of respect for the land, its people, and a shared responsibility for the future.We sat down with Ryan Emmons, Co-Founder and CEO, to talk about the origins of Waiākea, the company’s triple-bottom-line philosophy, and how it continues to redefine what it means to build a purpose-driven brand.Full interview ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

At Causeartist, we love highlighting founders who turn lived experiences and community insights into solutions that change lives. Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made, has built a social enterprise tackling generational debt among coconut farmers in the Philippines.What began as a single conversation with a farmer has grown into a thriving business that provides economic freedom, restores dignity, and protects vulnerable communities from exploitation.There’s an ugly side to the coconut industry — one that traps farmers in extreme poverty, robs them of their land, and pushes families toward dangerous choices.In the Philippines, home to 3.5 million coconut farmers, nearly 90% live below the poverty line.Full interview ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

Oddbird is transforming the wine industry, proving that world-class wines can be just as sophisticated and celebratory without alcohol.Founded in Sweden in 2013 by a former social worker who witnessed the impact of alcoholism on families firsthand, Oddbird was born from a desire to challenge the role of alcohol in modern culture.Today, the brand stands as a pioneer in the dealcoholized wine movement, serving at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park, and even partnering with Porsche in Sweden, where each new car is delivered with a bottle of Oddbird’s sparkling wine.Joining his mother’s mission, Mehmet Gürbüzer now leads the company as CEO, turning her vision into a global brand.Under his leadership, Oddbird has rapidly expanded across international markets, achieving 200% growth in the U.S. since launching late last year, selling over 7 million bottles annually, and generating nearly $30 million in revenue.At the heart of Oddbird’s philosophy is the idea of being liberated from alcohol. The team partners with renowned vineyards across Italy, France, and Spain, hand-selecting high-quality varietals for natural fermentation.Moa Gürbüzer Founder, Mehmet Gürbüzer CEOEach wine is aged for 12–36 months before undergoing a patented vacuum-distillation process that gently removes the alcohol while preserving complexity, structure, and flavor.Every bottle represents a meticulous four-to-five-year journey, a labor of love that celebrates craftsmanship, culture, and conscious living.In this Founder Spotlight, we speak with Mehmet Gürbüzer, CEO of Oddbird, to explore how the brand started, the mission driving its growth, and how it’s quietly reshaping how we think about wine and wellbeing.Full interview ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

When most people think about brushing their teeth, they rarely think about nutrition. For Vladimir Vukicevic, it became the foundation for a new way of thinking about health and habit.As the Co-founder and CEO of Better & Better, Vladimir is reimagining what daily wellness can look like, starting with something as simple and universal as toothpaste.Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Vladimir’s story is one of resilience and reinvention.After surviving a childhood cancer diagnosis and enduring long-term side effects from chemotherapy, he faced a new challenge: managing his health through daily supplements that were difficult, costly, and easy to forget.That frustration sparked an idea that would eventually lead to Better & Better—a wellness company built on the belief that health should be effortless, integrated, and sustainable.Better & Better’s breakthrough product is a 2-in-1 vitamin-infused toothpaste that delivers essential nutrients through one of the body’s most absorbent pathways—the mouth.With every brush, users not only clean their teeth but also nourish their bodies with vitamins like D3, B12, and Zinc, without the need to swallow another pill.Under Vladimir’s leadership, the company has become a pioneer in what he calls “habit-based health,” creating products that transform daily routines into opportunities for better living.Beyond innovation in wellness, Better & Better is deeply committed to environmental responsibility, using recyclable, sugarcane-based packaging, bamboo toothbrushes, and naturally derived ingredients that are better for both people and the planet.Read full interview with the founder. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In an industry dominated by excess packaging and synthetic ingredients, Lola Arnao is carving out space for what the brand calls “slow beauty”, a movement focused on simplicity, sustainability, and self-care that’s good for both people and planet.Founded by a mother-daughter duo in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Lola Arnao creates concentrated, plastic-free skincare products designed specifically for people with sensitive skin.Each product is handcrafted in small batches, formulated with plant-based ingredients, and wrapped in sustainable, low-waste packaging.We spoke with Angela Gargano, Lola Arnao’s co-founder, a wellness entrepreneur and lifelong advocate for cleaner living, about the inspiration behind the brand, what slow beauty really means, and how they’re proving that mindful growth can be just as powerful as scaling fast.Read full interview. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

Every year, universities across the world throw away thousands of pounds of perfectly good food, from untouched entrees to overproduced menu items.For Raccoon Eyes AI, a startup born out of Georgia Tech, this isn’t just a statistic. It’s a challenge to be solved through data, design, and behavioral science.Founded by a group of engineering students who turned their senior capstone project into a full-fledged impact company, Raccoon Eyes helps dining halls measure, understand, and reduce food waste through a blend of smart hardware, analytics, and playful behavioral nudges.Read full interview with CTO and Co-founder, Ivan Zou. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.