West Arete

Certified B Corporation
Headquarters

Pennsylvania, United States

Certified Since

May 2016

Industry

Computer programming services

Sector

Service with Minor Environmental Footprint

Operates In

United States

West Arete was founded in 2005 in State College, PA as a custom software development company for research groups and academic institutions. Our small initial team drew upon their background in high-performance computing, data, and scalability to solve worthy research problems with custom software. Over the years, as our company grew and matured, we deepened our commitments to social and environmental good by becoming one of the first 100 companies to join 1% for the Planet, becoming a certified B Corporation and a Silver Bike Friendly Business. We became more involved in our local community by spearheading several technical and entrepreneurial efforts. And we introduced radical employee benefits such as fully-paid, $0 deductible health insurance for each employee’s entire family, and mandatory three-week sabbaticals every year for every employee. In March 2020, prompted by the start of COVID-19, we closed our central Allenway office and embraced being an all-remote company. We are proud of our company’s history, but we have ambitious plans for West Arete’s future. We feel that life is too short and precious for us to spend our time and talents developing software that does anything but make the world a better place.

Overall B Impact Score

Based on the B Impact assessment, West Arete earned an overall score of 96.8. The median score for ordinary businesses who complete the assessment is currently 50.9.
96.8
96.8 Overall B Impact Score
80 Qualifies for B Corp Certification
50.9 Median Score for Ordinary Businesses

Governance 15.3

The Workers Impact Area evaluates a company's contributions to its employees' financial security, health and safety, wellness, career development, as well as overall engagement and satisfaction. In addition, this section recognizes business models designed to benefit workers, such as companies that are at least 40% owned by non-executive employees and those that have workforce development programs to support individuals with barriers to employment.

Mission & Engagement1.8
Ethics & Transparency3.4
+ Mission Locked10

What is this? A company with an Impact Business Model is intentionally designed to create a specific positive outcome for one of its stakeholders - such as workers, community, environment, or customers.


Workers 38.4

The Workers Impact Area evaluates a company's contributions to its employees' financial security, health and safety, wellness, career development, as well as overall engagement and satisfaction. In addition, this section recognizes business models designed to benefit workers, such as companies that are at least 40% owned by non-executive employees and those that have workforce development programs to support individuals with barriers to employment.

Financial Security11.6
Health, Wellness, & Safety11.5
Career Development5.6
Engagement & Satisfaction7.7

Community 19.6

The Workers Impact Area evaluates a company's contributions to its employees' financial security, health and safety, wellness, career development, as well as overall engagement and satisfaction. In addition, this section recognizes business models designed to benefit workers, such as companies that are at least 40% owned by non-executive employees and those that have workforce development programs to support individuals with barriers to employment.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion3.1
Economic Impact3.5
Civic Engagement & Giving7.4
Supply Chain Management5.5

Environment 5.3

The Workers Impact Area evaluates a company's contributions to its employees' financial security, health and safety, wellness, career development, as well as overall engagement and satisfaction. In addition, this section recognizes business models designed to benefit workers, such as companies that are at least 40% owned by non-executive employees and those that have workforce development programs to support individuals with barriers to employment.

Environmental Management2.8
Air & Climate0.0
Water0.0
Land & Life0.0

Customers 18.1

The Workers Impact Area evaluates a company's contributions to its employees' financial security, health and safety, wellness, career development, as well as overall engagement and satisfaction. In addition, this section recognizes business models designed to benefit workers, such as companies that are at least 40% owned by non-executive employees and those that have workforce development programs to support individuals with barriers to employment.

Customer Stewardship3.5
+ Support for Underserved/Purpose Driven Enterprises14.5

What is this? A company with an Impact Business Model is intentionally designed to create a specific positive outcome for one of its stakeholders - such as workers, community, environment, or customers.



Previous Overall B Impact Scores

2022 Overall B Impact Score96.8
2018 Overall B Impact Score90.3
2016 Overall B Impact Score84.6

Additional Documentation

Disclosure Report


Best for the World

Every year, B Lab recognizes the B Corps that have achieved the highest verified scores in the five impact areas evaluated on the B Impact Assessment.

Best For The World: Workers2019
Best For The World: Workers2018
Best For The World: Workers2017

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