International WELL Building Institute

What International WELL Building Institute does

International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a privately held Public Benefit Corporation founded in 2013 (incorporated 2014) and headquartered at 860 Washington Street, New York, that develops and operates the WELL Building Standard, a third-party verified certification and rating system focused exclusively on human health and well-being in the built environment. Its core technology, the WELL v2 standard, spans 10 concepts (Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community) and 500+ evidence-based strategies, backed by 7,000+ external research citations and developed with 150+ advisors and 20+ research advisory members. IWBI monetizes through tiered per-square-foot certification fees ($0.08-$0.16/sq ft with caps of $98K-$101K), supplemental rating programs (Health-Safety, Performance, Equity, Coworking), the WELL at Scale subscription for portfolio-wide adoption, the WELL AP professional credential, Works with WELL product licensing, and IWBI organizational membership, with third-party verification administered through Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). The company serves commercial real estate owners, developers, corporate occupiers, residential developers, REITs, coworking operators, government/municipal entities, and educational institutions across approximately 100,000 commercial and residential locations spanning 6.42 billion square feet in 131 countries, supported by a hybrid distribution model that combines direct enterprise sales, a global network of WELL Enterprise Providers, Performance Testing Providers, and 15,983+ credentialed WELL Accredited Professionals.

Name

International WELL Building Institute

Legal name

International WELL Building Institute pbc

Website

https://wellcertified.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

International WELL Building Institute develops the WELL Building Standard, a third-party verified health-focused certification and rating system for buildings, interiors, and residences, monetizing through per-square-foot certification fees, portfolio subscriptions, professional credentials, and product licensing across 100,000+ locations in 131 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Health Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy Services (Retrofits/Commissioning/Testing & Balancing) (IMAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Testing, Adjusting & Balancing (TAB) & Performance Verification (BPABACAJ), International Standards, Norms & Technical Regulatory Bodies (BPADAAAJ), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Building Health Assessments (EUAHAGAG)

Keywords

• Building health certification
• WELL Building Standard
• Healthy building ratings
• Indoor environmental quality
• Real estate sustainability standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. WELL Certification Fees: Tiered certification fees based on square footage. Enrollment fee of $3,000 plus program fee of $0.16/sq ft, starting at $8,000 and capped at $98,000. WELL Core program at $0.08-0.09/sq ft starting at $8,000 capped at $101,000. Revenue from certifying buildings and spaces to WELL standards.
2. WELL Ratings: Fees for Health-Safety Rating, Performance Rating, Equity Rating, and Coworking Rating - demonstrating commitment to health, safety, equity and performance without full certification.
3. WELL AP Credential: Accreditation program fees for WELL Accredited Professional credential demonstrating mastery of the WELL standard. Professionals pay for exam and maintenance/continuing education.
4. Works with WELL Licensing: Product and service alignment program where manufacturers and solution providers pay for pathway assessment to demonstrate alignment with WELL standard.
5. IWBI Membership: Organizational membership program connecting organizations to the WELL movement with benefits including network access, resources, and recognition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

International WELL Building Institute administers the WELL Building Standard, an evidence-based certification and rating system that evaluates buildings and interior spaces on ten health-focused concepts (Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community). It sells tiered certifications and ratings (Bronze through Platinum), a portfolio-level subscription, a product alignment program, a professional credential, and third-party verification services to building owners, developers, occupiers, manufacturers, and service providers worldwide.

Product overview

International WELL Building Institute offers a comprehensive suite of health-focused building certification and rating programs centered around the WELL Building Standard. The core offering is the WELL Certification program (with Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum levels) supported by supplemental rating programs including WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Performance Rating, WELL Equity Rating, and WELL Coworking Rating. The WELL at scale subscription enables organizations to apply WELL strategies across multiple locations. Supporting programs include Works with WELL (product alignment), WELL AP (professional credential), WELL EP (enterprise provider designation), and WELL Performance Verification (third-party testing). Educational offerings include WELL Faculty and the WELL Educational Series. Additional initiatives include the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air and the WELL Forum community platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WELL Building Standard: Evidence-based roadmap and certification program for creating spaces that advance human health and well-being across 10 core concepts.
• WELL at scale
• Works with WELL
• WELL Faculty
• WELL AP (Accredited Professional)
• WELL Enterprise Provider (WELL EP)
• WELL Health-Safety Rating
• WELL Performance Rating
• WELL Equity Rating
• WELL Coworking Rating

Products and services

• WELL Building Standard An evidence-based roadmap and certification system for creating and certifying spaces that advance human health and well-being, covering 10 core concepts from Air to Water, with over 500 evidence-based strategies for design, policy, and operations.
• WELL Certification Third-party verified certification of buildings and spaces at Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels based on point-based scoring across all 10 WELL concepts; enrollment fee $3,000 plus program fee from $0.16/sq ft starting at $8,000 and capped at $98,000.
• WELL Health-Safety Rating Evidence-based third-party verified rating for operational policies, maintenance protocols, and health-safety features of buildings and spaces, focused on occupant health and safety.
• WELL Performance Rating Continuous monitoring and performance rating requiring 21 of 33 measurable, performance-based strategies across air quality, water quality, thermal comfort, acoustics, lighting, and occupant experience.
• WELL Equity Rating Rating program recognizing operational excellence in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility practices within buildings and organizations.
• WELL Coworking Rating Rating developed with The Instant Group covering over 50 features across all 10 WELL concepts including air quality, water potability, and nourishment guidelines for flexible and coworking workspaces.
• WELL at Scale Portfolio-wide subscription program enabling organizations to apply health strategies across multiple locations and earn unlimited certifications and ratings with portfolio-level WELL Score tracking.
• WELL Residence Third-party verified certification program exclusively addressing health and well-being in all residence types, including single-family homes and multifamily units.
• Works with WELL Program enabling manufacturers, service providers and solution providers to demonstrate alignment with the WELL Building Standard through three pathways: Directly Contributes, Measures, and Supports.
• WELL AP (Accredited Professional) Professional credential earned by examination demonstrating mastery of the WELL Standard, with required continuing education and maintenance fees administered through GBCI.
• WELL Enterprise Provider (WELL EP) Designation for select organizations recognized for leadership in delivering comprehensive WELL solutions at enterprise scale.
• WELL Performance Verification Third-party verification service comprising onsite testing and documentation review to ensure evidence-based health and well-being strategies are performing as planned.
• WELL Faculty Educational program for training and certifying professionals to educate others on WELL implementation and standards.
• IWBI Membership Organizational membership program connecting organizations to the WELL movement with network access, resources, and recognition benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7.7% higher rents per sq ft in certified healthy buildings
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Grace HillcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership integrating Grace Hill's KingsleySurveys occupant feedback platform into the WELL building ecosystem. Collaboration enables organizations to capture occupant feedback to improve workplace well-being and building performance while supporting WELL Certification and recertification processes. Partnership expands the range of approved survey solutions available for organizations pursuing WELL Certification.
• The Instant GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership launching the WELL Coworking Rating, encompassing over 50 features across all 10 WELL concepts covering air quality, water potability, and nourishment guidelines. The Instant Group brings coworking industry expertise to the rating development.
• CarriercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarrier supports the WELL Performance Rating, bringing expertise in air quality, safety, thermal comfort, lighting, and sound to help validate healthy buildings. Carrier is committed to the full spectrum of factors that create healthy buildings for people.
• Honeywell Building TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on WELL Performance Rating bringing new era of building performance, bridging building health while being conscious of environmental impact, inspiring innovation and market transformation for occupant well-being and productivity.
• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership leveraging WELL Performance Rating to remake buildings of the future for health of people inside, aligned with decarbonization goals. Schneider Electric brings building automation and energy management expertise.
• Trane TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrane supports WELL Performance Rating helping building owners and operators assess, mitigate and monitor indoor environmental quality to ensure occupants' well-being and building's performance.
• VitacorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Corvias developing Wellness at Home program featuring air purification, water filtration, and humidity controls for military housing. Program achieved 93% resident satisfaction with water quality and 72% reduction in airborne particulate matter.
• Global GreenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting Executive Leadership Forum at EarthX in Dallas with nearly 50 senior leaders from industry, academia, public health, and civil society to advance healthier, more resilient cities.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting Executive Leadership Forum at EarthX with Global Green and IWBI to explore resilient, people-centered buildings and organizational strategies that improve human health and strengthen communities.
• SOCOTEC USAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSOCOTEC USA designated as WELL Enterprise Provider, joining select group of organizations recognized for leadership in advancing health and well-being through the built environment. Enables delivery of comprehensive WELL solutions at enterprise scale.
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership among six major green building organizations including IWBI, USGBC, mindful MATERIALS, Green Building Council of Australia, International Living Future Institute, and Building Research Establishment to create consistency across rating systems including LEED and WELL.
• mindful MATERIALSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership establishing shared language and approach for materials assessment, aligning data, metrics, and global targets for climate, nature, and circularity across building rating systems.
• Green Building Council of AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership creating consistency across green building rating systems to respond to growing confusion caused by differing measurement tools and more stringent sustainability reporting requirements.
• International Living Future InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership aligning green building standards including WELL, LEED, and other major rating systems to establish shared approach for materials assessment and sustainability reporting.
• Building Research EstablishmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership establishing consistency across rating systems to address differing measurement tools and align data, metrics, and global targets for climate, nature, and circularity.
• Well Living Lab (China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading scientific research center and platform in Asia integrating building sciences, behavioral sciences, and health sciences to quantify and improve indoor environment impact on health, wellness, comfort, and performance.
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGBCI administers WELL Certification and WELL AP credentialing program through third-party verification ensuring standard integrity and consistent application.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Emerging players

• EarthCheck: Sustainable tourism and built-environment certification used by hospitality and large venue operators. Partial overlap with WELL at Scale in the hospitality and large-facility segments the spec.
• WiredScore: Certifies digital connectivity and smart-building readiness (WiredScore, SmartScore) for commercial real estate. Competes with WELL for owner-level building certification budget and increasingly overlaps with WELL Performance Rating on technology-enabled buildings.
• Carbon Trust: Provides sustainability certification, advisory, and verification services to building owners and corporates. Increasingly competes with WELL-related advisory and ESG-supported services, particularly in Europe.
• RESET (Buildings): Standard for healthy-building performance monitoring and sensor-based certification. Competes with WELL Performance Rating as a more sensor-led, performance-only alternative and is often evaluated alongside WELL in the same IEQ procurement processes.

Direct peers

• U.S. Green Building Council (LEED): Administers LEED, the largest global building sustainability certification, and is IWBI's closest peer - both operate through GBCI for third-party verification, share overlapping building-owner customers, and now bundle LEED with WELL. LEED is the more established sustainability standard; WELL focuses on health.
• International Living Future Institute: Manages the Living Building Challenge and other regenerative building standards. Competes with WELL for sustainability-focused building owners and is a joint partner in IWBI's international rating-system consistency initiative alongside USGBC and BRE.
• Center for Active Design (Fitwel): Administers Fitwel, a health-focused building certification system that competes most directly with WELL on occupant health and wellbeing. Fitwel is operated under UL's Solutions division and is positioned as a more accessible, lower-cost alternative to WELL.
• BRE Group (BREEAM): Operates BREEAM, the leading international building sustainability certification, with strong footprint in Europe and emerging markets. BREEAM is IWBI's primary global competitor in commercial real estate certification, particularly outside North America, and is a partner in IWBI's international rating-system alignment consortium.

Broad incumbents

• UL Solutions: Global safety and sustainability standards organization that owns Fitwel and broader building performance services. UL competes with IWBI across health-focused certification and adjacent building product verification, with much broader standards and testing capabilities.

Regional players

• Green Building Council of Australia (Green Star): Operates the Green Star rating system, the dominant sustainability certification in Australia and a model for several Asia-Pacific markets. IWBI has a strategic alignment partnership with GBCA and competes with Green Star for APAC developer mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wellcertified
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQqKvNegLZv6ZvM_n34D3Pw
• Facebookfacebook.com/wellbuildinginstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3825937

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International WELL Building Institute