The Better Business Network (bbn)

What The Better Business Network (bbn) does

The Better Business Network (BBN) is a UK-based membership community for purpose-driven businesses, founded by Hannah Cox in 2020-2021 and operating as a privately held, founder-led entity headquartered in Salford. It sells five membership tiers — Guest (free), Community (£95 + VAT/year), Growth (£500 + VAT/year), Better Business Standard (£795 or £995 + VAT/year) and Corporate Partner (£10,000 + VAT/year, capped at 12) — providing subscribers access to an online community platform, monthly regional and online networking events, sustainability training (Carbon Literacy, B Corp Bootcamp, workshops, an online training library), impact measurement and accreditation through the proprietary Better Business Standard framework, and collective advocacy under the Better Business Act banner.

The underlying technology is a community platform hosted on Circle (circle.so), which provides forums, member directories, event management and a mobile app; BBN itself discloses no proprietary software stack beyond its accreditation framework and impact-reporting methodology. Members are screened against values-based eligibility criteria that exclude industries such as fast fashion, tobacco, gambling, firearms, payday lending, multi-level marketing and fossil fuels, creating a curated network.

The business model is primarily annual subscription recurring revenue, augmented by event ticket sales (notably the annual Better Business Summit in Manchester), optional add-on services (additional team seats at £40/year, paid workshops, sustainability consultancy) and cross-referrals to sister-company betternotstop. Distribution is largely self-serve digital via the website, with enterprise Corporate Partner deals requiring direct enquiry. Customers are predominantly UK-based SMEs, startups and individuals, with the Corporate Partner tier representing an explicit move upmarket into larger organisations seeking ESG and advisory positioning.

Name

The Better Business Network (bbn)

Legal name

The Better Business Network

Website

https://www.thebetterbusiness.network

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Better Business Network is a UK membership community for purpose-driven businesses, offering tiered annual subscriptions (£95-£10,000) on a Circle-hosted platform that combines networking, sustainability training (Carbon Literacy, B Corp Bootcamp) and the proprietary Better Business Standard accreditation framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Community & Sustainability Membership Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Governance & Board Effectiveness Advisory (BPAHAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAB)

Keywords

• Sustainability business membership
• Purpose-driven business community
• Carbon literacy training
• B Corp preparation services
• Impact accreditation framework

Headquarters

HQ city

Salford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: BBN's primary revenue stream is annual membership subscriptions across five tiers. Members pay upfront for a 12-month contract term with automatic renewal. The tiers are Guest (free), Community (£95 + VAT/year), Growth (£500 + VAT/year), Better Business Standard (£795 or £995 + VAT/year), and Corporate Partner (£10,000 + VAT/year). Monthly payment options are available as instalments against an annual commitment. Additional revenue comes from event ticket sales to non-members and add-on services such as sustainability consultancy support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Better Business Network (BBN) operates a tiered membership community for purpose-driven UK businesses, combining networking, sustainability training (Carbon Literacy, B Corp Bootcamp), and collective advocacy. Its flagship offerings include the annual Better Business Summit conference in Manchester and the proprietary Better Business Standard Accreditation framework, an eight-week guided course that helps member businesses measure, prove, and communicate their social and environmental impact.

Product overview

The Better Business Network operates as a tiered membership community platform for purpose-driven UK businesses. The core offering includes the Community Platform and App, which serves as the central hub for networking and resources. Membership spans five tiers: Guest (free), Community (£95/year), Growth (£500/year), Better Business Standard (£995/year), and Corporate Partner (£10,000/year). The portfolio includes the annual Better Business Summit flagship conference, the Better Business Standard Accreditation framework with an eight-week guided course launching September 2026, Carbon Literacy Training, B Corp Bootcamp, monthly workshops, and an online training library. All tiers build upon each other, with higher tiers including all benefits of lower tiers plus additional features like formal accreditation, advisory board access, and co-working privileges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BBN Membership Tiered subscription membership community and platform (powered by Circle) providing UK purpose-driven businesses with networking, member directory, regional and online events, training library, business promotion, and access to the broader BBN ecosystem. Higher tiers add Carbon Literacy Training, B Corp Bootcamp, workshops, co-working, and advisory benefits.
• Better Business Summit Annual flagship two-to-three day conference held in Manchester for purpose-driven businesses, featuring keynote speakers, workshops, and networking. Tickets sold separately to non-members; Community tier receives 10% discount, Growth tier 20% discount, and Corporate Partners receive two complimentary tickets.
• Better Business Standard Accreditation The UK's practical framework helping businesses prove and improve their social and environmental impact. Includes an eight-week guided course, a free standard impact report, formal Better Business Standard accreditation, public recognition via digital badge, and signposting to specialists inside the network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91.6% of Members had gained industry value from being in BBN
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CircleCo, Inc. (Circle)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe BBN community platform is powered by CircleCo, Inc.'s community software platform (circle.so). Circle provides the underlying technology for the community, including forum functionality, event management, member communications, and mobile application. Circle is explicitly referenced as the 'Service Provider' in BBN's Terms of Service. Circle operates the service from its offices in New York and is a third-party beneficiary of BBN's Terms.
• betternotstopcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerbetternotstop is BBN's sister company. Both organisations share the same address (100 Embankment, Cathedral Approach, Salford). BBN's Corporate Partner tier includes a 10% preferential rate on betternotstop consultancy services. BBN and betternotstop co-supported the Carbon Literate City project in Manchester. BBN is a values-led community for purpose-driven businesses while betternotstop provides sustainability consultancy services.
• Carbon Literacy ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBN is a supporter of the Carbon Literacy Project, which aims to get 85,349 people in Manchester certified as carbon literate. BBN's Growth and above tiers include Carbon Literacy Training for teams, delivered in partnership with the Carbon Literacy Project. BBN and betternotstop co-support the Manchester Carbon Literate City initiative.
• OPEN MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOPEN Media partnered with BBN and Avery & Brown on the Better Business Pioneer of the Year Campaign in October 2023. The campaign was seen by 3,715,273 people on billboards across the UK and aimed to shine a spotlight on environmental and social responsibility pioneers.
• Avery & BrownminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAvery & Brown partnered with BBN and OPEN Media on the Better Business Pioneer of the Year Campaign in October 2023. The campaign highlighted unsung pioneers who integrated environmental and social responsibility into their daily operations.
• Media CubsminorOthersMedia Cubs is a young people's video production service that covered the Better Business Summit (April 2025). Their young reporters attended the summit, gaining exposure to higher education, industry experience, and purpose-driven business leaders.
• HattrickminorOthersHattrick is a B2B communications consultancy that produced a series of climate conversation videos with BBN Founder Hannah Cox (April 2024). The videos covered topics including tips for businesses to be more sustainable, mobilising real change, and uncomfortable truths on the sustainability journey.
• Lawyers For NatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLawyers For Nature is a collective of lawyers, researchers and campaigners working on behalf of nature, incorporated as a Community Interest Company. BBN became the 4th company in the World (3rd in the UK) to legally put Nature on its Board of Directors in January 2024, following guidance and inspiration from Lawyers For Nature and Faith in Nature.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Carbon Literacy Project: Carbon Literacy Project is the training partner that delivers BBN's Carbon Literacy Training and co-supports the Manchester Carbon Literate City initiative. Directly comparable: training-content-led membership/targeted at the same purpose-driven UK business audience on climate literacy.
• 1% for the Planet: 1% for the Planet is a global membership/impact network for businesses pledging 1% of sales to environmental causes. Same mission, same business-membership mechanics, similar accreditation/recognition framing; BBN reports 21% of members join 1% for the Planet.
• B Lab UK & Ireland: B Lab administers the B Corp certification — the dominant UK impact-business accreditation and direct substitute for the Better Business Standard. BBN explicitly tracks how many of its members become B Corps (25%), positioning itself as a feeder/community layer for B Lab. Same target customer (purpose-driven UK SMEs), same accreditation thesis, overlapping advisory support.
• Business Declares: Business Declares is a UK network of businesses declaring climate and ecological emergency — same purpose-driven UK SME customer, same advocacy + collective-action model, similar tiered membership. BBN tracks % of members joining Business Declares (16.6%), indicating direct overlap in the member base.
• The Purpose Coalition: A UK coalition of purpose-led businesses focused on social mobility, levelling up, and ESG policy advocacy. Comparable community + policy-advocacy model with enterprise partnerships serving the same kind of corporate partner segment that BBN targets with its £10k tier.

Emerging players

• Future Fit Foundation: Future Fit Foundation provides the Future Fit Business Benchmark — a science-based sustainability assessment and accreditation for businesses. Comparable proposition to the Better Business Standard (impact measurement + accreditation) for the same UK SME audience, though narrower scope.
• Net Zero Now: Net Zero Now is a UK climate network and certification program for SMEs pursuing net-zero commitments. Overlaps with BBN on climate-focused SME membership, training, and certification — direct competitor for member wallets and attention.

Others

• Centre for Sustainable Business at Cambridge Judge: Academic and convening centre focused on sustainable business transformation — provides research, convenings and frameworks for purpose-led business leaders in the UK. Adjacent rather than directly competitive; sources member research inputs and similar B2B networks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/better-business-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 The Better Business Network (bbn)