When you’re ready to start building your cooperative, we’re here to help.

We equip you with the knowledge, tools, and resources you need to build a thriving cooperatively-owned business. From helping you explore and test your co-op idea to helping you launch and grow your business, there are lots of different ways we can support you on this journey. 

Getting Started

The Lean Co-op Course

Lean Co-op is a free online course that combines the best of the values-aligned cooperative ownership with the lean start-up approach. In each of the six modules, we walk you through both the theory and the practice, sharing examples and providing you with activities that we recommend you dive into as you build your business. There are also additional resources for each module, including worksheets, case studies, and links to additional information.

Ask Me Anything Events

Workshops

Join Start.coop Founder Greg Brodsky to ask any questions you have about cooperative entrepreneurship and let us help you think and work through whatever challenge you or your business are facing. Whether it's how to structure your ownership model or how to attract funders or anything in between, we are ready to take the time to listen and then dive into tips, tricks, strategies, and solutions with you.

From getting started with co-ops to building your ownership model, our workshops are designed to guide you as you develop your cooperative business.

New workshops will continue in Fall 2024.

Let’s Build

The Accelerator

Co-op Design Consulting

Designed specifically for co-ops and other shared ownership start-ups in North America, our virtual accelerator offers a robust cohort-based learning experience, individualized coaching, mentorship from world-class business leaders, and access to platform services. Additionally, high performing graduates will be eligible to apply for follow-on funding of up to $50k. 

As part of our efforts to stimulate shared ownership and contribute to building a more equitable economy, we offer consulting services to start-ups, existing shared ownership businesses, and businesses wishing to convert to shared ownership. We work with our consulting clients to scope specific goals and deliverables for the consulting collaboration and on the basis of this scope we determine a project-based fee. In some instances — most often for the earliest stage start-ups for whom cash flow is tight — we employ a hybrid fee structure that includes a significantly reduced project-based fee in combination with a revenue share agreement.

Fiscal Sponsorship

Does your cooperative aim to create positive social impact? If so, grants and donations may be instrumental in helping you get there. However, many foundations, government agencies and donors prefer to give to established 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits.

For cooperatives interested in pursuing grant funding, but don’t have the time, resources, or interest in applying for 501(c)(3) status, partnering with Start.Coop as your fiscal sponsor can help.

Resources

Tools & Case Studies

Our tools and worksheets, including the Ownership Model Canvas, can help you thrive and increase your business’ odds of success.

Learn about the co-op model and how cooperatives approach different business challenges such as franchising, investment and platform creation in our free case studies.

Financing Co-ops

Learn about the need cooperative entrepreneurs have for values aligned capital, and how the Start.coop community and our partners are working to build a better financial toolkit to support them.

Additional Resources

Our round-up of advocacy orgs, technical assistance providers, co-op developers, co-op friendly investment orgs and funders, as well as recommended non co-op startup resources can help you find national and local resources to help your business.