Entrepreneurs for Human Progress
35 years
35 ventures & other initiatives
350 interventions
3500 selected 'citizens'
35000 invited followers
OUR WORK
Our Story
Our Story
Our Story
Progressio Foundation was founded in Rotterdam at the Erasmus University in 1989 by Marcello Palazzi, MSc MBA, Dr. Paul Kloppenborg and Prof. Pjotr Hesseling, with the writing and publication of their books: “Towards a civic economy” and ”The Quest for Utilization Value: economy as the good ordering of interests". As many have commented, from The Economist to several thought-leaders, Progressio has been 10, 20, 30 years ahead of others in its pioneering activities.
Our Team
Our Story
Our Story
Palazzi’s and Kloppenborg’s deep belief that 'entrepreneurship for good’ is humanity’s ultimate superpower has only increased. Today, finding, mobilizing, organizing and supporting the world’s progressive entrepreneurs, to imagine, invent and innovate solutions for human progress remains our mission. In this task, Daniel Truran has been the closest operational colleague for over 20 years.
Our Focus
Our Story
Our Focus
Progressio has for 35 years been at the centre of over 35 ventures, projects, gatherings, contributing to 350 other initiatives involving over 35,000 decision-makers around the world. Progressio operates as Convenors (Architects & Organisers), Connectors (& Deal-Makers), Catalysts (& Engineers). Tom Cummings joined as Principal in 2010, adding his remarkable leadership acumen and experience.
A glimpse of our journey I
Oosterwijk, Nieuwenhuys, Palazzi in 1993 at the launch of Social Venture Network Europe, Amsterdam.
1995-6, co-founded with Anita Roddick, funder and chairperson.
The Copenhagen Centre.
Business and Municipality, in partnership with the City of Bremen, the precursor of the Bremen Award, 1997-2003.
Kofi Annan, with whom we worked on the UN Global Compact, joined us in Tällberg, Sweden. We awarded him the Tällberg Leadership Prize in 2007.
EU Commissioner Kroes, Al Gore and EU Commissioner Dimas in 2006 at the launch of 'An Inconvenient Truth'.
Tällberg Emerging Leaders' Program: 2006-9 in Tällberg, Sweden.
Tällberg Emerging Leaders' Program, 2009, in Leksand, Sweden.
Palazzi, Davis, Faber in 2015 at Danone's launch of their B Corp journey.
Taipei, Taiwan, at the B Corp Asia Forum, 2018.
2018-2019, with and at Montagne Alternative, Switzerland.
Nyenrode Business University, 2019, A Day with John Elkington, Wouter van Dieren, Paul Gilding celebrating the Club of Rome's work.
Paul Polman, a friend, champion of the B Corp Movement. frequent speaker at our events.
Opening of the 2022 'B for Good Leaders' Summit in Rome.
HRH Queen Maxima attending the B for Good Leaders Summit in Amsterdam in 2023.
Lambooy, Mauser, Ferwerda, Kloppenborg at Nyenrode Business University in 2023.
B for Good Leaders' Summit 2024, Amsterdam, attended by 1200 invited participants.
Bringing our message to Pope Francis in 2024 as part of the SMI / Laudato Sí Movement Delegation.
July 25-27, 2025: Jean Monnet House, outside Paris. Following an introduction by Lisa Barlow, Jean Marc Lieberherr-Monnet and I met and decided to organize a gathering of European leaders to revive the vision of a strong, united Europe.
Progressio brought 45 'for good' leaders to Castel Gandolfo to meet Pope Leo XIV and contribute ideas to his climate agenda.
The 'For Good Leaders' delegation in Castel Gandolfo, October 2025.
A GLIMPSE OF OUR JOURNEY II
Istanbul, 1996, UN Habitat World Business Forum.
Istanbul, 1996, UN Habitat World Business Forum, visit to Princes' Island.
1996, September, New York City, UN HQ, 38th floor, UN Habitat Business Awards.
1996, September, UN HQ, Reporting on the outcome of the UN Habitat World Business Forum to member countries.
Stockholm, 1998: 1st Unesco Business Forum.
Stockholm, 1998, 1st Unesco Business Forum: Muhammad Yunus sharing the work of Grameen Bank in educating, and financing, women entrepreneurs.
1999, Dublin & Belfast, 1st Enterprise Summit at the State of the World Forum.
1999, Belfast: Lech Walensa, Anita Roddick, Geoff Mulgan, Bianca Jagger, Jim Garrison, José Ramos-Horta.
London, The Savoy Hotel, 1999, for the final dinner of 'Enterprising Europe'.
1999, Amsterdam: Compassion vs Competition, the Nieuwe Kerk, with HH the Dalai Lama, PM Ruud Lubbers, Geoff Mulgan, Hazel Henderson, Jermyn Brooks, organized by Sander Tideman, Anders Ferguson and us.
2011, Zeist, at the partnership meeting of ALIA Institute, prior to the Authentic Leadership Summit.
2011, Good Leaders • Good Business Global Program flyer.
2011, With Paul Gilding, former Exec Director of Greenpeace International, Paul Hohnen and Palazzi, Amsterdam at the launch of Gilding's book 'The Great Disruption'.
Amsterdam, 2014, at the 1st B Corps Europe Summit.
October, 2014, Bellagio, Rockefeller Foundation for the launch of the 1st B Lab Europe team.
OUR CURRENT PROJECTS
United Leaders Europe
AVE: Alliance for a values-led economy
AVE: Alliance for a values-led economy
Founded with Otti Vogt of the Global Society for Good Leadership in July 2025 at Jean Monnet House in Paris, ULE is building a European community from the Middle Out, ie entrepreneurs, executives, investors who are both a product of a United Europe and their most active promoters.
AVE: Alliance for a values-led economy
AVE: Alliance for a values-led economy
AVE: Alliance for a values-led economy
In partnership with the Laudato Sí Movement and the Dicastery of Integral Human Development at the Vatican, we are aggregating ethical movements and networks in the economy and business to inspire each other and connect with faith leaders.
EU-CHINA : Ecological civilization
AVE: Alliance for a values-led economy
EU-CHINA : Ecological civilization
Progressio is partnering with the Aurora Borealis Foundation and the Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences to lead a process of awareness building and concrete solutions to grow a regenerative economy in China and partner countries.
earthrepreneurship
intergenerational leadership
EU-CHINA : Ecological civilization
Entrepreneurs for the earth are one of the most critical levers to build a regenerative economy. Together with William Frater and the Earth University in Costa Rica, we are exploring a hands-on program for earthrepreneurs.
FOR good leaders
intergenerational leadership
intergenerational leadership
Progressio has been the main individual funder and catalyst of this community of 10,000 entrepreneurs, investors and executives working for a good economy and society. Over 45,000 'friends' form part of the community.
intergenerational leadership
intergenerational leadership
intergenerational leadership
Scheduled for May 26-28, 2026, in Tällberg, Sweden, we are designing a 3-day program, to be followed by a 3 days' summit, for leaders across generations. In the years 2007-9, we run similar programs very successfully.
Regenerative amsterdam challenge
Regenerative amsterdam challenge
Regenerative amsterdam challenge
Together with the Impact Economy Foundation and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, we are launching a test pilot for leading entrepreneurs working on regenerative solutions for Amsterdam.
resilient businesses
Regenerative amsterdam challenge
Regenerative amsterdam challenge
Resilience has become an essential quality for any leaders amidst the polycrises. In partnership with the Resilience Institute, co-founded by Benoît Greindl, a B Corp in Switzerland operating globally, we are supporting their programs inside our community.
b corps' accelerator
Regenerative amsterdam challenge
b corps' accelerator
In our continuous support of the B Corp Movement, we are working with Nativa, Goodness & Co, Nexio Projects, three leading B Corps, to reach larger enterprises globally with a suite of services anchored in our 10 years' experience in B Corp certification.
OUR GOAL, ACTIVITIES, METHOD, ROLES, THEORY
GOAL
ACTIVITIES
METHOD
ROLES
THEORY
OUR immediate past PROJECTS
B LAB EUROPE
TÄLLBERG FORUM
B LAB EUROPE
Palazzi co-founded B Lab Europe, the certifying body behind B Corps, in 2013 following a personal introduction from Pedro Tarak. Progressio initiated and guaranteed the required funding to grow the organisation. Palazzi was Executive Director and Board Member until 2017, creating a highly successful Europe-wide network of partners, when he was invited to be B Corps' Global Ambassador (until 2021).
NOW PARTNERS
TÄLLBERG FORUM
B LAB EUROPE
Palazzi co-founded NOW Partners Foundation with Walter Link, a colleague since the 90s. Progressio shared know-how, intelligence, contacts and partnered with NOW on their Vatican partnership, the Danone Senior Executive Leadership Program, the Assisi Executive Retreat, the Future Economy Forum and others.
TÄLLBERG FORUM
TÄLLBERG FORUM
TÄLLBERG FORUM
In 2004 Palazzi and Ekman, founder of Tällberg Foundation, agreed to work together on developing the Tällberg Forum, an annual gathering that took place from 2005 to 2013, engaging hundreds of world leaders on the key question: "How on Earth can we live together ?". Much was achieved, including the launch of the 'Planetary Boundaries' by Johan Rockström and Hans Rosling's 'Factfulness'. Several initiatives and ventures were born then.
Other PAST PROJECTS
REGEnerative alliance
regenerative society foundation
regenerative society foundation
Regenerative Alliance Summit, Belgium, September 2021. Progressio has been a founding member of the Regenerative Alliance, a Swiss-registered non-profit launched by Benoît Greindl, Randall Zindler and Palazzi and subsequently by Christophe Fauconnier, to connect leaders with their own deeper selves and nature. Following several retreats in Switzerland, a summit was organized in nature at the La Falize Estate for 250 invited leaders.
regenerative society foundation
regenerative society foundation
regenerative society foundation
Regenerative Society Foundation, Parma, Italy, 2020-onwards. At the request of Davide Bollati, chairman of Davines, Palazzi co-led the process of conceiving and incorporating the foundation in Parma, Italy, and co-organised a global summit in early 2020 that led to the foundation’s formal launch and expansion. Co-founders are Illycaffé, Chiesi, Irinox, Lombard Odier, Nativa, Sammontana Italia, AWorld, 3Bee, Aboca and others.
CAUX next leaders' program
regenerative society foundation
CAUX next leaders' program
CAUX Next Leaders’ Program, organized by Progressio in 2014 in the historic CAUX Palace Hotel, venue of the Moral Rearmament Movement after WWII, led by Tom Cummings, Cornelius Pietzner and with the participation of Charly Kleissner, Lisa Kleissner, Randall Zindler, among others.
BIONEERS EUROPE
rework the world
CAUX next leaders' program
Bioneers Europe, Zeist, 2009, the Netherlands, sister of Bioneers in the USA, convened leading biomimicry leaders such as Janine Benyus, Paul Stamets, Kenny Ausubel, Nina Simons, John Warner, John Lieu, Christine Loh, William Ferwerda and others.
rework the world
rework the world
rework the world
REWORK the WORLD Summit, 2010, Sweden, & REWORK INDIA, for next-generation leaders, over 2000 from around the world, the largest gathering of global young decision-makers in Sweden ever, organized by Tällberg Foundation. Palazzi introduced Poonam Aluhuwalia, CEO of YES Global, the ILO and the Swedish Postcode Lottery that made the summit possible, alongside the Swedish government.
Andromeda fund
rework the world
rework the world
Andromeda Fund, 2002-2003, where Progressio worked with Stephen Brenninkmeijer to launch an impact investment fund, convene 80 other investors in Amsterdam and lead to two highly successful investments: ResponsAbility AG in Zürich and CelTel in Africa.
Foundation for Natural Leadership
Foundation for Natural Leadership
Foundation for Natural Leadership
Foundation for Natural Leadership, Amsterdam and Durban. Together with Jan-Willem Kirpestein, Robert-Jan van Ogtrop, Mark Tigchelaar, Syb Roëll and later Antony Burgmans. Over 3000 executives have since attended the Wilderness Trails spearheaded by the foundation, leaving meaningful and powerful marks of personal and planetary consciousness on many. Palazzi was chairperson of the Encounter of World Views Foundation, founded by Kirpestein, which convened the original summit where FNL was conceived.
Spirit in Business Foundation
Foundation for Natural Leadership
Foundation for Natural Leadership
Amsterdam & New York City, 2001-2004. Following the Amsterdam dialogue, we co-founded a non-profit (Sander Tideman, Anders Ferguson and Marcello Palazzi) which for 4 years organized leading conferences in New York City, San Francisco, Zürich, Bangkok, Rotterdam and helped to launch the ‘Mindfulness’ evolution in business, led by Daniel Goleman, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Sharon Salzberg, Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, HH The Dalai Lama and others.
Tällberg Leadership Prize
Foundation for Natural Leadership
Tällberg Leadership Prize
Tällberg Leadership Prize, first imagined by Palazzi and then launched with funding from the Swedish Postcode Lottery and presented to Kofi Annan, Lord Brown, Melinda Gates, Achim Steiner, it later became the flagship project of Tällberg Foundation as the Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize, which continues year after year to attract hundreds of the world’s most progressive leaders.
the early years - 1993 to 2003
Social venture network EU
Social venture network EU
Social venture network EU
Progressio has been a Founding Member of SVN Europe, sister of SVN in the USA, and Palazzi its first Executive Director in 1993-1994. Ben Cohen, Anita Roddick, Peter Blom, Josh Mailman, Eileen Fisher, Eckart Wintzen have been deeply engaged in building the first community of responsible business leaders in the world.
UN SOCIAL SUMMIT
Social venture network EU
Social venture network EU
Copenhagen, 1995: Progressio was invited by Mandag Morgen and the Ministry of Social Affairs in Denmark to organize the Business Forum for the UN Social Summit, which delivered a historic report on how business could partner with government to delver social development.
World business forum
Social venture network EU
UN HABITAT II PARTNERS'
Istanbul, 1996: Progressio was commissioned by UN Habitat to organize the World Business Forum for Habitat II, attended by 320 business leaders and one of the earliest substantive involvement by business inside the UN.
UN HABITAT II PARTNERS'
UN HABITAT II PARTNERS'
UN HABITAT II PARTNERS'
A Contest and Award Ceremony organized as a Follow-Up to Istanbul in NYC, where 10 companies contributing to sustainable cities were selected as winners. It triggered conversations with Georg Kell, Gus Speth and Kofi Annan on the first draft of the UN Global Compact.
Bremen Initiative
UN HABITAT II PARTNERS'
UNESCO BUSINESS FORUM
Under the leadership of Henning Scherf, Mayor of Bremen, as a follow-up to the UN Habitat II World Business Forum, the city of Bremen and Progressio Foundation launched a multi-year challenge for city-business partnerships in 1997 to 2003. Hundreds of partners submitted their plans, one of the first in the world, and every year 10 won the Award.
UNESCO BUSINESS FORUM
UN HABITAT II PARTNERS'
UNESCO BUSINESS FORUM
Stockholm, 1998: Progressio was invited by UNESCO's Secretary General, Dr Federico Mayor, to organize the 1st UNESCO Business Forum, at the Norra Latina Conference Centre in Stockholm. Over 200 business leaders attended, including Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, whose work in micro-finance was then not only financially influential to millions of women, but a pioneering educational model.