International WELL Building Institute
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
International WELL Building Institute firmographics
Firmographics- 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
International WELL Building Institute industry classification
Industry- 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
Where International WELL Building Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
International WELL Building Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Works with WELL Licensing: Product and service alignment program where manufacturers and solution providers pay for pathway assessment to demonstrate alignment with WELL standard.
- IWBI Membership: Organizational membership program connecting organizations to the WELL movement with benefits including network access, resources, and recognition.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | WELL Certification for tenants or owners addressing design, construction and operations of interiors space |
| Subscription | Annual | WELL Core for building owners and developers addressing fundamental features in base building |
| Subscription | Annual | WELL at Scale subscription for applying health strategies across portfolio |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
International WELL Building Institute product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use International WELL Building Institute
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
International WELL Building Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
International WELL Building Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Grace HillcorePartnership 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 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.
- CarriercoreCarrier 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 TechnologiescoreCollaboration 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 ElectriccorePartnership 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 TechnologiescoreTrane 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.
- VitacorpscorePartnership 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 GreenmajorCo-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)majorCo-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 USAcoreSOCOTEC 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)majorInternational 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 MATERIALSmajorPartnership 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 AustraliamajorInternational 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 InstitutemajorPartnership aligning green building standards including WELL, LEED, and other major rating systems to establish shared approach for materials assessment and sustainability reporting.
- Building Research EstablishmentmajorInternational 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)coreLeading 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)coreGBCI 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
International WELL Building Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging 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
International WELL Building Institute social profiles
Digital presenceInternational WELL Building Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
International WELL Building Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
International WELL Building Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
International WELL Building Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about International WELL Building Institute
What does International WELL Building Institute do?
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.
Is International WELL Building Institute a public or private company?
International WELL Building Institute is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was International WELL Building Institute founded?
International WELL Building Institute was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is International WELL Building Institute based?
International WELL Building Institute is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does International WELL Building Institute make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. WELL Certification Fees are the primary driver. The others are WELL Ratings, WELL AP Credential, works with WELL Licensing and IWBI Membership.
Who are International WELL Building Institute's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are EarthCheck, WiredScore, Carbon Trust and RESET (Buildings). Direct peers are U.S. Green Building Council (LEED), International Living Future Institute, Center for Active Design (Fitwel) and BRE Group (BREEAM). UL Solutions is listed as a broad incumbent. Green Building Council of Australia (Green Star) is listed as a regional player.
Does International WELL Building Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for International WELL Building Institute.
What industry is International WELL Building Institute in?
International WELL Building Institute's product category is Building Health Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIABAI, Energy Services (Retrofits/Commissioning/Testing & Balancing), with a secondary code of BPABACAJ, Testing, Adjusting & Balancing (TAB) & Performance Verification. Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 8734.