What is a Worker Cooperative?

Starting a Workers' Cooperative

Note: The following information is from adapted from Madison Cooperative Development Coalitions' Start a Co-op Page.

There are many reasons to start a worker cooperative, or convert an existing business to a worker co-op. Worker-owners tend to be paid more than traditional employees in their same field, stay in their jobs longer, and have better working conditions. There are other benefits that are less tangible, as well, such as the empowerment that comes from participating in a democratic workplace.

MCDC has gathered a variety of resources to help you make that happen :

• Education on the worker cooperative model

  • Free Co-ops 101, Co-ops 201, and Co-op Financing sessions through the Madison Public Library.
  • “Co-ops 101” on their video library page.

  • Other educational resources, including:

    • An overview of the co-op model and the process of starting co-ops from the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives: Cooperatives in Wisconsin: The Power of Cooperative Action
    • Information for co-op start-ups
    • Information for worker co-ops
• Their list of preferred providers, who are professionals that have experience working with worker cooperatives
• Connections to local organizations for training, benefits, and resources, such as the Madison Public Library (which can assist you in research and planning for your cooperative).
• Start-up capital and financing through their lending partners, Shared Capital Cooperative and Kiva Madison. Kiva Madison has a useful guide to borrowing through their platform.

They also recommend connecting with:

• Business planning, legal support, and other technical assistance from the UW Center for Cooperatives
• Cooperative Development Grants through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), which can cover costs of consultants for things like business planning, feasibility studies, marketing, and more.