Regenerative Blue Economy: Genoa Spotlights the Role of Benefit Corporations

Genoa confirms its role as a laboratory for sustainable innovation in the blue economy. On 11 June, the Genova Blue District at Via del Molo hosted the event "Towards a Regenerative Blue Economy: the Role of Benefit Corporations", as part of the Festival Blue, the city's annual programme dedicated to the sea, sustainability and innovation.

The initiative, promoted under a national programme of the Ministry for Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) together with Unioncamere, Si.Camera, Invitalia and the Municipality of Genoa, brought together institutions, businesses and professionals to explore the opportunities offered by the Benefit Corporation model.

At the heart of the debate: the value of companies able to combine economic objectives with a positive impact on the environment, people and communities — an approach that supports more resilient, long-term development models, aligned with the challenges of sustainable transition.

Data confirm significant growth of the phenomenon: in Liguria, Benefit Corporations currently number 84 (of which 12 are female-led), with more than 1,170 employees and a production value of 321 million euros, up +37.7% on the previous year — a trend reflecting a dynamic and expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The event underlined the importance of encouraging both the creation of new Benefit Corporations and the transformation of existing businesses. In this process, the Chamber of Commerce of Genoa offers dedicated tools and services to support companies evolving towards more sustainable models.

Substantial space was given to concrete experiences from companies active in the blue economy, demonstrating how innovation and sustainability can be effectively integrated. Among the participants, Grendi Holding — one of Genoa's historic shipping companies — and Almo Nature (Fondazione Capellino), alongside younger companies such as JAMIN Underwaterwines, OUTBE and Maiscadoras, showed how the benefit model applies with full effectiveness to both large enterprises and innovative SMEs operating in the maritime supply chain. The event concluded with an awards ceremony for testimonial companies.

In a city like Genoa, historically tied to the sea and a candidate for Capital of the Sea 2026, regenerative blue economy carries strategic weight. Benefit Corporations represent a fundamental lever for attracting investment, strengthening competitiveness and promoting balanced development between economic growth and environmental protection.

By Irene Bellotto