Unlock the power of EO in your local economy
Employee ownership (EO) is a powerful strategy to build more resilient local communities. But how do we turn potential into reality?
Spreading awareness and adoption of EO requires a fully activated and well-connected network of organizations and resources working together.
The EO network
There are many ways for you to plug in, and Project Equity can provide resources, training and advice along the way.
…normalize EO and create broad awareness and a substantial and ongoing pipeline of business owners exploring EO transitions.
…introduce EO to business owners as part of their business and financial planning.
…provide hands-on support to businesses throughout their transition as well as post-transition to grow and thrive.
…provide affordable, widely-available EO-friendly capital to support EO transitions and growth.
…serve as central points of connection across the ecosystem and business community and hubs of EO information and resources.
Additional resources
Database
We created an interactive database to track the progress of EO policies over time.
Download our white paper on why government should support employee ownership
Where do you plug in?
EO Champions
One of the greatest barriers to a thriving EO economy is awareness. EO Champions ensure that employee ownership is well-known and front of mind for business owners in their communities.
Who makes a great EO Champion?
Economic development organizations, state centers for employee ownership, local governments, small business development centers, local foundations and more can play a role as an EO Champion.
What’s next?
Is your organization a source of information and resources for business owners and community leaders?
EO Advisors
Business transitions can be a highly sensitive and difficult topic for business owners — one they want to have only with their most trusted business advisors. EO Advisors know how to talk to their clients about EO as an option to address common challenges with succession planning or growing their businesses. In turn, they differentiate their practice in the marketplace and can better attract and retain clients.
Who makes a great EO Advisor?
Exit planners, financial planners, CPAs, wealth planners, attorneys and other trusted, go-to sources of advising for business owners can play a role as an EO Advisor.
What’s next?
Does your organization advise business owners and help them reach their goals and plan for their future?
EO Technical Assistance Providers
Many organizations already exist to provide hands-on technical support to business owners. Employee ownership can be a valuable tool to add to their toolbox, and local providers can collaborate with EO experts like Project Equity to support their clients’ EO exploration. EO Technical Assistance Providers bring together their expertise to advise businesses along every step of their journey from consideration to transition to post-transition.
What’s next?
Learn about our transition services and access capital for transitions.
EO Capital Providers
There are also several sources of EO financing, including Project Equity’s capital programs. And we love to collaborate with local lenders to unlock local capital to support EO!
What’s next?
Learn how to access capital to support EO transitions.
EO Anchors
Local government and anchor institutions have an important role to play given their role in local economies. Whether it’s through incorporating EO into business touchpoints, creating incentives or purchasing preferences, incorporating EO into business programs or more, your organization can be a powerful engine as an EO Anchor for sustaining your local EO network.
Who makes a great EO Anchor?
City, county or state-level government departments, regional economic development organizations and anchor institutions such as healthcare networks or higher education institutions are all important anchors for EO in a local ecosystem.
What’s next?
Are you a policy maker, public sector leader or advocate interested in how local governments can support EO? Are you an anchor institution wanting to use your platform and purchasing power to support your local EO network? Learn more through our policy database and consider joining the cause.
Want to learn more?
Interested in joining the EO network to unlock the power of EO in your local community?
