First B Corp Conference in Romania gathers international leaders and impact-driven companies in Bucharest on October 8

The first local conference dedicated to the B Corp community and certification takes place on October 8 in Bucharest, as Romania ranks fourth among the fastest-growing B Corp countries in Europe. Organized by Better Business Alliance, with the support of Danone Romania and Nespresso Romania, the event aims to become an annual benchmark for leaders building responsible, transparent, and impactful businesses.

International speakers, for the first time in Romania 

The conference will bring to Bucharest representatives from B Lab Europe, the organization coordinating the B Corp ecosystem across Europe, to offer insights into the new B Corp standards set to come into effect in 2026, as well as into how certification can transform organizational culture and business models. Adam Garfunkel, B Corp Ambassador at B Lab UK, will also discuss cooperation within the B Corp community.

The stage will also feature leaders from impactful European organizations, including Ivan Holub, Sustainability Leader for Danone Central and Eastern Europe, part of the team that led the regional group’s B Corp certification, Oleksandra Navrotska, Government Relations Manager at Danone Ukraine, and Georgios Polychronopoulos, CEO of Polypan Group (Greece).

“B Corp is much more than a certification; it’s a mindset shift. It encourages companies to improve the way they operate across all aspects. I am looking forward to the event in Bucharest; B Corp is truly a meaningful topic with real impact. It practically pushes you to become better, which is extraordinary for any company,” said Ivan Holub, Head of Sustainability, Danone Central and Eastern Europe.

Global brands and Romanian companies driving change 

Confirmed speakers also include representatives of certified B Corp companies such as Ana Doxan, Business Executive Officer at Nespresso Romania, Thomas Bosment, General Manager Romania & Moldova at Opella, Elena Hinova-McNamee, founder of Thriving Leadership, Robert Sroka, Partner at Abris Venture Capital, and Sotiris Pastras, Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Manager at Apivita SA Greece (part of PUIG Group).

“The first B Corp conference in Romania is an event I am very excited about. It is extraordinary to see a local community of businesses focused on positive impact taking shape. At Nespresso, caring for farming communities, the environment, and circularity have always been top priorities. B Corp certification reinforces our leadership vision: to have a transformative impact through a culture of good focused on people, optimizing and reusing resources, and supporting a transparent management model. As we like to say, coffee can be a force for good,” said Ana Doxan, Business Executive Officer, Nespresso Romania.

The event will also feature discussions with newly certified B Corp organizations, such as Confident Agency, Ipanomi, and Natural, as well as with companies currently in the certification process, who will share their lessons learned and motivations for pursuing the B Corp journey.

“This conference marks a defining moment for the B Corp ecosystem in Romania. The number of locally certified companies is growing and the need to belong to a community that shares the same values is becoming increasingly visible. We seek to bring together companies that think long-term, leaders who aim to build meaningful businesses, and professionals who believe in a more responsible business model. It’s just the beginning of a larger conversation about impact, collaboration, and real transformation in the economy,” said Cătălina Țicău, co-founder of Better Business Alliance and Chief People & Performance Officer at People & Transformational HR UK.

Romania ranks fourth among Europe’s fastest-growing B Corp communities 

B Corp certification is internationally recognized for its high standards, emphasizing impact on employees, community, environment, and governance. When companies obtain certification, they make a public commitment to performance and transparency, and join a global network of nearly 10,000 companies in over 100 countries.

With rapid growth, Romania ranks fourth in Europe among the fastest-growing B Corp communities, reflecting the increasing interest of local companies in positive impact business models. The first B Corp conference in Romania supports these efforts by providing direct access to the certifying organization’s expertise and the experiences of companies already undergoing this transformation process.

50% of ticket value directed toward a social project 

Participation in the conference, which will take place on October 8 at The Villa, also supports a social cause: 50% of each ticket’s value will be donated to the Ateliere Fără Frontiere NGO, supporting the professional reintegration of individuals from vulnerable backgrounds. 

More details about the agenda, speakers, and tickets are available on the Better Business Alliance website.

Media partners include Revista Biz, Sustenabilitate.biz, eEco.ro and The Azores.

About Better Business Alliance

Better Business Alliance is a Romanian nonprofit organization promoting the B Corp business model in Romania, with the aim of helping local companies meet standards of social responsibility and sustainability. The alliance was founded by Romanian B Corp consultants, Corina Radu, Cătălina Țicău, Cristina Tararache, and Cristina Bîcîilă, with the support of Danone Romania and B Lab Europe, to help build a local and regional network of sustainable and visionary companies.

The alliance aims to develop a community of certified companies, those in the certification process, or those aspiring to B Corp status, united by a shared purpose: to create value for communities, employees, and the environment. It also engages in business education through the online “BIA Accelerator” program, facilitating the exchange of experience and knowledge among companies, including between large enterprises and startups, both in Romania and abroad.