From Fast Company's article about 20 moments from the past 20 years that moved the world forward:
Businesses focused on social good have been around for decades, but the concept really took off in 2012, as new laws in several states—including the startup-friendly California and New York—allowed mission-based companies to reincorporate as benefit corporations and protect themselves from shareholders who might not prioritize values such as employee wellness or eco-friendliness.