A Business Incubator for Community-Enterprise
Why This Center Matters
Many communities in California—and across the country—are facing enormous pressures: the climate crisis, economic inequality, and widespread mistrust in institutions. Yet within these challenges lie powerful opportunities. Communities often hold the most practical solutions for local resilience and regeneration. But too often, promising public benefit businesses and social entrepreneurs lack the tools and support to turn ideas into impactful ventures.
The Center for Triple Bottom Line Entrepreneurship was created to change that. Rooted in the values of people, planet, and prosperity, our Center serves as a launchpad for Public Benefit Businesses (PBBs) that are building a better, more equitable future. Whether it’s in housing, food systems, or broadband access, we support community-rooted enterprises that address critical local needs while creating scalable, high-impact solutions.
What We Do
The Center is a catalyst for change—bridging local innovation with global opportunity. We provide public entrepreneurs with access to:
- Mentorship from leading academic and industry experts
- Incubation of 1–2 high-potential Public Benefit Businesses per year
- Resources & Networks for accessing capital, technologies, and global markets
- Strategic Support for navigating scale, governance, and community accountability
- Market Access to compete alongside larger incumbents and set new standards for sustainability and equity
Our approach is grounded in the latest research in sustainability, cooperative economics, and regenerative technologies. We believe that business can—and must—do better.
Our Current Focus Areas
We prioritize sectors where urgent needs and scalable solutions intersect:
Workforce Housing
Innovating “missing middle” housing models to make homeownership and affordability possible for essential workers.
Scaling Local Agrifoods
Building a user-owned and -controlled ag and food value chain—from production and processing to distribution and retail.
Utilities & Community Infrastructure
Supporting PBBs that improve access to:
- Community broadband
- Food processing and logistics
- Local retail (coffee, grocery, dairy)
- Circular energy solutions
Join Us
Whether you're a public entrepreneur, investor, academic, or community leader, we invite you to be part of this movement. The Center for Triple Bottom Line Entrepreneurship is redefining what success looks like—grounded in local empowerment, environmental responsibility, and economic dignity.
📍 Based at the UC Agriculture Sustainability Institute, University of California, Davis
📬 For inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact Keith Taylor at keitaylor@ucdavis.edu.