Community Business

What Community Business does

Community Business was a Hong Kong-registered charity (Charity Number: 91/6560) operating as an Asia-based not-for-profit focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace across six Asian markets: China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Philippines, and Singapore. The organization served multinational corporations, DE&I professionals, and community leaders through a portfolio of services including the Community Business Network (a membership-based platform with 100+ member companies), proprietary research publications (such as LGBTQ+ Inclusion Index Reports and Social Mobility in Asia deep dives), bespoke wellbeing consulting and training, the annual Asia Employee Wellbeing Awards program, and awareness campaigns like This is Me Asia developed in partnership with Prudential.

The business model combined three revenue streams: annual membership subscriptions for the Community Business Network, one-time publication sales priced at US$20-$100 per report, and event/conference registration fees. Distribution was direct-to-enterprise through the website (communitybusiness.org), with member discounts on publications and a member portal providing exclusive access to research, tools, and networking. The organization aligned its work with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 5, 8, 10, 17) and secured high-profile corporate sponsors (Bloomberg, Northern Trust, Shell, Freshfields) and strategic partners (Prudential, Linklaters).

The organization has completed its wind-down, citing the economic climate and shifting public discourse around DE&I as making continued operations financially unsustainable. Research publications are no longer available for download, and the network and programs have ceased operations.

Name

Community Business

Legal name

Community Business Limited

Website

https://communitybusiness.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Business was a Hong Kong-based non-profit that operated a membership network of 100+ companies across six Asian markets, providing DE&I research, consulting, and community programs to multinational corporations and DE&I professionals. The organization completed its wind-down in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Diversity & Inclusion Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Management & Creator Community Building (MPAAAHAH), Social & Digital Insights (Social Listening, Online Community Research) (MPAAALAK)

Keywords

• Corporate diversity consulting
• DE&I membership network
• Workplace inclusion research
• Asia employee wellbeing
• ESG thought leadership

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheung Wan

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Community Business Network membership provides organizations access to Asia-focused research, tools, expertise, network conferences, communities of practice, sharing sessions, and member portal. The organization states that membership enables organizations to develop and drive responsible and inclusive business strategies.
2. Publication Sales: Research publications on social mobility, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and DE&I topics in Asia are sold individually. Publications include Social Mobility in Asia Deep Dives for various countries, Inclusion Action Toolkits, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion Index Reports. Prices range from US$20 for individual publications to US$100 for comprehensive index reports.
3. Event Fees: Flagship events and standard events with registration fees. Refund policy states refunds for Flagship Events granted only for written requests received 1 month prior to the event. No refunds after this date. Standard Events require 3 working days written notice for cancellation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Business operated a membership-based network connecting DE&I professionals and organizations across six Asian markets, providing Asia-specific research publications, benchmarking indices, bespoke wellbeing consulting and training, and large-scale campaigns and events. Revenue was generated through annual corporate membership fees, one-time purchase of research reports, and event registrations.

Product overview

Community Business is an Asia-based not-for-profit organization that offers a portfolio of services focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace. The core offering is the Community Business Network (CB Network), a membership-based platform for organizations and professionals committed to advancing DE&I in Asia. This is complemented by Research Publications (including LGBTQ+ Inclusion Indices for Singapore and Hong Kong, and Social Mobility in Asia deep dives for various markets), Inclusion Action Toolkits, the This is Me Asia campaign (focused on mental health and disability), Wellbeing Consulting & Training services, the annual Wellbeing Conference, and Network Events including conferences, roundtables, and community connections. The organization also runs the Asia Employee Wellbeing Awards program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Business Network Membership network for DE&I Professionals, Business and Enterprise Leaders, and Community Leaders across Asia, providing connection, collaboration, co-creation, and consultation opportunities through regular roundup calls, market roundtables, network circles, exclusive conferences, a member portal, and a global link program.
• This is Me Asia Awareness campaign focusing on sharing personal stories and lived experiences of disability and mental health to challenge stigma and normalise conversations in the workplace; expanded across Asia in strategic partnership with Prudential, with over 1,200 organizations registered.
• Wellbeing Consulting & Training Bespoke consulting and training service designed to nurture a culture of wellness within organisations by understanding unique needs and challenges to create tailored wellbeing strategies and equipping teams with knowledge and tools for implementation.
• Asia Employee Wellbeing Awards Awards programme celebrating strategic and proactive approaches to employee wellbeing in workplaces across Asia, with categories including Work-Life Harmony (sponsored by Northern Trust), Physical Wellbeing, Emotional Wellbeing, and Financial Wellbeing. Winners announced at an annual virtual or in-person ceremony.
• Research Publications Asia-focused research publications covering LGBTQ+ Inclusion Indices, Social Mobility in Asia deep dives for individual markets, mental health, neurodiversity, and other DE&I topics relevant to Asian markets; available for purchase at US$20 per Social Mobility Deep Dive and US$100 per LGBTQ+ Inclusion Index Report.
• Inclusion Action Toolkits Practical toolkits providing guidance on building the business case for DE&I in Asia and inclusion in the context of APAC culture, designed for DE&I practitioners and corporate leaders.
• Wellbeing Conference Annual conference focusing on building sustainable wellbeing culture amidst rapid societal changes, using UN SDGs as a guiding blueprint; the 2023 edition featured Bloomberg as Platinum Sponsor and included speakers from the Total Loyalty Company and other member companies.
• Network Events (Conferences, Roundtables, Community Connections) Network Conferences, Community Events, Roundtables, and Sharing Sessions designed for members to connect, share insights, and collaborate on DE&I solutions regionally or by market, including the 2025 Network Philippines Community Connection event.
• Singapore LGBTQ+ Inclusion Index Report Comprehensive benchmarking report providing an in-depth look into the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion within Singapore's corporate sector for the LGBTQ+ community.
• HELPline Program Program supporting migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong in partnership with Linklaters (pro bono legal services) and HELP for Domestic Workers (NGO support), assisting approximately 1,400 migrant domestic workers per year and over 80 employers, with over 90% of labor disputes settled out of court.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of labor disputes supported by HELPline program are settled out of court
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• PrudentialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Prudential to expand the This is Me campaign across Asia. This is Me focuses on sharing personal stories and lived experiences of disability and mental health to challenge stigma and normalize conversations in the workplace. Prudential provides strategic partnership support for this mental health and wellbeing initiative across the region.
• Northern TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Trust is the sponsor of the Work-Life Harmony Award category in the Asia Employee Wellbeing Awards. James Kuruvilla, Vice President, Regional Head of Compensation & Benefits - APAC, served as sponsored judge for this award category.
• LinklaterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinklaters partners with HELP for Domestic Workers on the HELPline program, providing pro bono legal assistance to migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. Linklaters lawyers volunteer at the HELP Sunday clinic, trained up to provide legal advice. Partnership includes pro bono legal services, training, and corporate responsibility support. Penny Barsha serves as Asia Head of Corporate Responsibility.
• HELP for Domestic WorkerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHELP for Domestic Workers is an NGO providing emergency support, shelter, and comprehensive assistance to migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong through the HELPline program. The program supports approximately 1,400 domestic workers per year. Rachel Li serves as Head of Case Management and Research. Partnership with Linklaters provides pro bono legal services.
• BloombergflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBloomberg served as Platinum Sponsor of the 2023 Community Business Wellbeing Conference. Alisha Fernando, Head of Diversity and Inclusion APAC, participated as a speaker at the conference.
• Total Loyalty Company Limited (TLC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLC supported the 2023 Community Business Wellbeing Conference as the Wellness Showcase supporter. Sam Lau, CEO of TLC, participated as a speaker. TLC specializes in corporate wellness and employee engagement.
• Freshfields Bruckhaus DeringersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer served as Venue Sponsor for the 2023 Community Business Wellbeing Conference.
• ShellsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerShell served as venue sponsor for the 2025 Network Philippines Community Connection event, which focused on caregiver support and inclusion.
• Amber FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Amber Foundation runs the EMPOWER program supporting young ethnically diverse women in Hong Kong with career success. Elizabeth Thomson founded the Amber Foundation and EMPOWER program, providing workshops, networking, and internship opportunities with major corporations. This aligns with Community Business's social mobility focus.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Center for Talent Innovation (CTI): Research-driven think tank producing DE&I research and benchmarking for corporate members — comparable in the research-as-product model that underpins Community Business's Inclusion Indices and Social Mobility deep dives.
• The Valuable 500: Global business collective of 500+ companies committed to disability inclusion — comparable as a corporate membership network running campaigns (akin to This is Me) and thought leadership on an inclusion topic.
• CSR Asia (now part of ERM): Asia-headquartered CSR/sustainability advisory that served corporate members with research, consulting, and convening — historically the most direct Asia competitor to Community Business's responsible-business network model.
• Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN): Pan-Asia membership platform for social investors, philanthropists, and corporates — operates a similar member-network model in Asia focused on social impact, though with a philanthropic-funders rather than DE&I-practitioners audience.
• Catalyst: Global nonprofit producing DE&I research, benchmarking (e.g., Inclusion Index), and member advisory for corporations — directly comparable in research-driven, member-funded DE&I model, though North America-centric.
• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): Global nonprofit advisory network working with member companies on sustainability, DE&I, and responsible business — the closest structural analog to Community Business in scope, though with a global rather than Asia-only remit.

Broad incumbents

• The Conference Board: Global member-based business research and events organization serving senior executives — comparable in subscription membership, research publications, and conference business lines, though with much broader scope.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): Global CEO-led organization of 200+ member companies working on sustainable business including DE&I and social inclusion — comparable membership/convening structure but at much larger global scale with broader sustainability remit.

Regional players

• Hong Kong Council of Social Service: Hong Kong-based umbrella organization coordinating NGOs and corporates on social welfare, CSR, and inclusion — comparable as a Hong Kong nonprofit convening platform serving corporate members on community-impact topics.
• The Prince's Trust / Prince's Responsible Business Network (UK): UK-focused business network on responsible and inclusive business (formerly Business in the Community) — comparable member-network and inclusion-program model with similar corporate responsibility framing, though operating in the UK rather than Asia.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CB_Asia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Community Business