In recent years, an increasing number of Italian firms have chosen to become benefit companies (società benefit), a model that combines profit-seeking with the creation of value for society and the environment.
Today in Italy there are over 4,500, a steadily growing number that reflects a profound shift in how business is done: more ethical, transparent and long-term oriented.
Becoming a benefit company means integrating sustainability and social responsibility objectives into the corporate statute, turning sustainability from a mere communication commitment into a core part of the company’s strategy.
In this context, the collaboration between TreeBlock and Bergamo e Associati took shape: on October 23 they launched the webinar series “Legal Impact: benefit companies”.
The first session focused on clarifying what this transformation entails and on the concrete tools that can support companies along the way.
What benefit companies are
As explained by Lorenzo Vecchiarelli, chartered accountant at Bergamo e Associati, the benefit company is not a new legal form but a qualification any company can adopt to complement the traditional profit motive with a concrete commitment to the common benefit.
This means acting responsibly toward people, communities, the environment and the territory, and integrating such objectives into the company’s statute and governance model.
Benefits can be internal — such as continuous training, employee well-being and gender equality — or external, like reducing environmental impact, enhancing the local area and running social initiatives.
Adopting this model not only improves the company’s reputation but also increases its ability to attract talent, access funding and ensure longer-term resilience.
TreeBlock’s contribution: technology and transparency
Always committed to making sustainability measurable and accessible, TreeBlock plays a key role in the journey toward becoming a benefit company.
With TreeBlock One, the SaaS platform dedicated to corporate sustainability management, companies can continuously monitor their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts, automate reporting and prepare the annual impact report required by law.
Thanks to advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, TreeBlock guarantees data traceability, integrity and certification, enabling companies to:
- collect and analyze ESG data in real time;
- prepare reports compliant with international standards;
- ensure transparency and accountability toward all stakeholders.
As Stefan Grbovic, CEO and co-founder of TreeBlock, emphasized, “becoming a benefit company is a voluntary choice, but it requires commitment, consistency and adequate tools. TreeBlock One helps companies turn this commitment into measurable and certified results.”
The role of Bergamo e Associati
The firm Bergamo e Associati, through the expertise of Dr. Vecchiarelli, supports companies in all stages of the transformation into a benefit company:
- defining the common benefit objectives;
- amending the statute and managing the notarial process;
- appointing the impact manager;
- drafting and publishing the annual impact report.
The collaboration between TreeBlock and Bergamo e Associati therefore allows businesses to undertake a complete path, where legal and fiscal consultancy is integrated with technology for a modern, transparent and innovative approach to sustainability management.
A look to the future
This first webinar strengthened the partnership between TreeBlock and Bergamo e Associati, confirming a shared commitment to guide more companies toward ethical and sustainable business models.
In upcoming sessions, the focus will be on the practical aspects of the legal transformation process, with deep dives into statute changes, governance and internal responsibilities.