The number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. rose 21% between 2014 and 2019
Businesses owned by Black women represent the highest rate of growth in the number of total women-owned businesses.
Business
This archive collects stories about businesses making measurable progress on social, environmental, and economic challenges. From small enterprises to global companies, these 661 articles highlight what the private sector is doing right — and what’s possible when profit and purpose align.
33 countries and 11 automakers pledge no new fossil fuel powered cars by 2040
In the latest announcement from COP26, nations, automakers, and local governments have pledged to ensure that all new cars are zero emission by 2040, and no later than 2035 in “leading markets.”
New facility in California to create 400,000 pounds of lab-grown meat a year
UPSIDE Foods just opened a major facility in Emeryville, California to scale production of the more environmentally-friendly and humane alternative to traditional meats.
A “functional cure” for HIV to begin human trials
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave approval to Excision Biotherapeutics to use its innovative HIV treatment in Phase I/II human trials.
Wright Electric plans to put 100-passenger electric airplanes in service by 2026
Wright Electric plans to build a fleet of the converted electric planes, which will have a range of about one hour or 460 miles. It’s enough range to go from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Private prison operator must pay inmates minimum wage for work, U.S. federal jury rules
The court found that GEO Group, a private prison operator that runs the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, WA, is violating the state’s minimum wage laws by paying its workers $1 per day.
Costco raised its minimum wage to $17 an hour
Costco has around 180,000 US employees, and 90% of them work hourly. Costco’s new starting wage puts the chain $2/hr above Amazon, Target, and other top retailers’ minimum wage, and $5/hr above Walmart.
Largest Dutch pension fund to divest from fossil fuel producers
The ABP fund is a wealthy and influential investor that manages the pension savings of more than 3 million Dutch workers and has some 15 billion euros invested in fossil fuel production.
McDonald’s to trial McPlant plant-based burger in the U.S.
McDonald’s is looking to expand its menu to include purely plant-based options, and began trialing its first such offering, the PLT, in Europe and Canada in 2019.
NFL to end race-based testing in dementia claims
“Race-norming” made it harder for black players to prove they suffered from injuries linked to their careers. The draft agreement means thousands of retirees may qualify for compensation.