In October of 2013, Cotopaxi’s founders set out with the goal of building an outdoor gear company that could make meaningful strides toward reducing global poverty. Today, drawing on best practices from the outdoor industry and global development sector, they create innovative outdoor products and experiences that help alleviate poverty, move people to do good, and inspire adventure.

Founded as a Benefit Corporation with social purpose built into its DNA, Cotopaxi is committed to inspiring social and environmental change as a means to improve the human condition, increase social consciousness, and alleviate poverty through its core values and giving initiatives. Becoming a B Corp directly aligns with this business model, ensuring that Cotopaxi is able to closely monitor its performance against its goals as the company grows and evolves.

In pursuit of these goals, Cotopaxi’s values are infused into all aspects of its operations. On a local level, employees enjoy “in-the-wild” time, where they spend 10% of their work time adventuring outdoors or doing service. Cotopaxi has launched a skills-based volunteering initiative that leverages the time and talent of employees and responds to a clear need in the community.

Keywords: Outdoor, sustainability, benefit corporation, global development, health, education, livelihoods, poverty alleviation, Cotopaxi, Gear for Good, backpacks, apparel

Sector: Wholesale/Retail
Size: 50-249 employees

B Corp Certified – Impact Score: 125.6