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If we want worker co-ops to scale as a business model that helps to empower workers and build community wealth, we need more accessible tools to create, grow, and sustain them.

Launch.coop will provide an online platform for co-op entrepreneurs to get assistance in starting and growing worker co-ops in the U.S.

Sign up to be the first to get access when we launch!

A Vision for Growing and Supporting the Co-op Community

If we want worker co-ops to scale as a business model that helps to empower workers and build community wealth, we need more accessible tools to create, grow, and sustain them.

Launch.coop will provide an online platform for co-op entrepreneurs to get assistance in starting and growing worker co-ops in the U.S.

About
Launch.coop

Launch.coop will connect people to the resources they need, when they need them, by breaking down the process into more easily understandable and accessible steps.

Visitors will be guided through a series of onboarding questions that act like a decision-tree, guiding them to the right resources, as well as prompting them at the appropriate time to reach out to lawyers, CPAs, co-ops networks or other service providers.

Key Features

Collaborative & Interactive

User-friendly & Accessible

View the wireframe

Launch.coop is still in development, but you can take a look through the wireframe to get a sneak peek!

Use your cursor to click around or use the arrow buttons to navigate forwards and backwards.

Have Ideas?

Any topics you'd like to see included? Or areas where you need support? Drop us a line! We want Launch.coop to help fill in the gaps, so we know it needs to be driven by the people on the ground doing the work. (We're co-op members, developers and founders too, so we've been there!) 

Have Ideas?

Any topics you'd like to see included? Or areas where you need support? Drop us a line! We want Launch.coop to help fill in the gaps, so we know it needs to be driven by the people on the ground doing the work. (We're co-op owners, developers and founders too, so we've been there!) 

Who is Launch.coop for?

Co-op Users

Any startup or existing co-ops that make use of the platform for creating and developing their cooperative.

Co-op Users can get assistance in:

  • Crafting a vision, developing a business plan along with financial projections
  • Creating governance documents
  • Finding service providers (lawyers, developers, accountants, etc.)
  • Finding information about financing opportunities
  • Connecting users to the broader co-op movement
  • Accessing service providers & educational resources

Advisors

Service providers that work with cooperatives, such as co-op developers, finance partners, and technical assistance providers.

Advisors can use the platform to:

  • Gain access all platform materials
  • Organize their work with clients
  • Keep track of important documents, share with clients, track changes
  • Create a project map to guide clients through the development process
  • Connect with a potential client base

Pricing

Startup

$ 8 Monthly
  • $60/year
  • Subscribe annually to save!
  •  
special

Solidarity Discount

$ 20 Monthly
  • $180/year
  • Subscribe annually to save!
  •  

Full Cost

$ 35 Monthly
  • $360/year
  • Subscribe annually to save!
  •  

Redistribution Rate

$ 50 Monthly
  • $540/year
  • Subscribe annually to save!
  •  

Advisor Accounts

$ 115 Monthly
  • $1200/year
  • Subscribe annually to save!
  •  

FAQ

If you want people to take action, make the ask feel doable – if you don’t, they won’t. Frankly, right now it’s too hard to form a co-op in the U.S. There are a number of unique challenges facing potential co-op entrepreneurs:

POLICY: The United States has no federal cooperative policy nor enabling legislative framework, so regulations for worker cooperative formation vary widely by state, making it is necessary to monitor local regulations to provide timely, nuanced guidance.

ACCESS TO SERVICES: Co-op development services are currently essential to the startup of most new worker cooperatives, which creates a bottleneck for scaling cooperatives as a business model.

FORMAT: People seeking information on starting new co-ops encounter a multitude of documents, it can be difficult to know which materials are most relevant or to know how to assess their current position and what steps to take next. Information is often presented in English- language PDFs, which also presents barriers for language-access and meeting accessibility standards.

AWARENESS: When you look online for information on how to start businesses, co-ops aren’t as visible as they could be. There is a missed opportunity to market co-ops as a business model to potential entrepreneurs who are unfamiliar with the cooperative model through more accessible, user-friendly materials that make the process easier and connect them to the broader co-op community.

As opposed to other self-service materials, that are often static document (like a PDF), this will act as a kind of dynamic “living document” of co-op policy and resources. Because it is being built to be updated and customized, it can adapt to the shifting policy landscape and the regional differences that co-ops face in the United States due to the lack of a comprehensive federal policy.

Perhaps most importantly it will meet groups where they’re at by breaking down the process into more understandable and accessible steps, and connect them to service providers.

No, of course not! This platform cannot replace the invaluable work that co-op developers and professional associations that provide technical assistance (TA) support to workers looking to form a co-op. But we know that hiring a consultant can pose a significant financial commitment for new businesses in the formation stage that are not yet generating revenue, and not all groups have access to subsidized co-op development. This resource will provide self-service tools that can help identify what type of support groups need at low cost.

Our goal is for it to be a tool to help to ease the number of repeat questions that TA providers get and reduce bottlenecking due to limited capacity. So it can be a place to refer folks if they are at-capacity or it can also be used by TA providers to manage the work that they are doing with co-ops. They can create Advisor accounts where they have access to all the co-ops that they are working with who are using Launch.coop in their development process as a way to streamline their workflow as well. We see Launch.coop as being a resource for both groups looking to start co-ops and for co-op developers.

Worker co-ops are businesses where employees share ownership. They are based on the idea that the employees who do the work — the members — should also own and democratically govern it with one vote each. 

Cooperatives are structured around seven principles deeply rooted in democracy, economic participation, and sustainable growth of both the businesses and communities they serve. 

In this shared ownership structure, profits are shared with the people who directly support that business. Because of this, cooperative ownership has the potential to unlock ownership and wealth generation for so many traditionally excluded individuals and communities.

Launch.coop
Growing and Supporting the Co-op Community

Want to say hello?

Have questions or ideas? Are you interested in supporting the development of Launch.coop?