The mission-driven company: how to reconcile positive social impact, performance and economic equity

Cooperatives, social joint ventures and social innovation are just some of the ways in which we can achieve these objectives, while putting people and resilient, equitable development at the heart of our approaches.

In a world where environmental and social concerns are increasingly at the heart of debates, new forms of enterprise are emerging, seeking to reconcile economic profitability with societal impact. The mission-driven company is one such form.

A mission-driven company is a business (in the commercial sense of the term) that integrates social and/or environmental objectives into its raison d’être, while maintaining a profitable economic activity, generating profits that can be reinvested. Unlike so-called “traditional” companies, whose main objective is generally to maximize profits for shareholders, mission-driven companies are legally required to pursue specific missions that contribute to the well-being of society and the environment.

By way of example, his examples of societal challenges can be found within mission-driven companies:

• Environment: In the face of the climate emergency, mission-driven companies are committed to reducing their ecological footprint, by adopting sustainable practices and investing in environmentally-friendly technologies.
• Social inequalities: By integrating social objectives into their business model, these companies aim to reduce economic and social inequalities. They can, for example, encourage local employment, support disadvantaged communities or promote diversity and inclusion within their organization.
• Economic responsibility: Mission-driven companies encourage a more responsible and transparent approach to doing business. They are committed to high ethical standards in all their operations, which reinforces the trust of consumers and stakeholders.

By integrating one or more of these strong markers into the company’s articles of association (which will be regularly and independently monitored by authorized structures), the status of mission-driven company offers several significant advantages for the company and an alignment of values for the managers and teams involved:

• Positive impact: By aligning their business objectives with social and environmental values, these companies generate a measurable positive impact (and hence the importance of social impact assessment and measurement). Their actions help solve pressing social and environmental problems, while creating value for society as a whole.
• Innovation: Mission-driven companies are often at the forefront of innovation, developing new technologies, products and services that meet society’s emerging needs. Their mission-driven approach drives them to find creative and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges.
• Stakeholder engagement: By placing mission at the heart of their business model, these companies attract and engage a wide range of stakeholders, including committed employees, loyal customers and socially responsible investors. This mobilization strengthens their impact and long-term viability.

By December 31, 2023, there were almost 1,500 such companies in France, an increase of 34% compared to 2022¹.

At Axone Consultant, we can support you in the implementation of your transformation projects, while providing you with the tools you need to assess and measure social impact.
Investing in, transforming or developing a company with a mission is not only a sound financial decision, it also means developing an entrepreneurial model that combines values, proximity and performance, while putting people at the heart of its challenges.