Seed Commons
Through our partnership with Seed Commons, RMEOC connects cooperative businesses to non-extractive financing — capital that works for people, not against them. This community wealth fund supports cooperative startups and transitions with patient, flexible capital designed to sustain long-term success. Together, we’re growing a financial ecosystem that supports worker ownership, economic justice, and shared prosperity across Colorado.
A Focus on Inclusivity and Community Wealth Building
We believe that businesses should serve their communities and workers.
That’s why our loan fund centers on:
Inclusivity
We prioritize businesses that create opportunities for people historically excluded from financial systems.
Democratic Governance
We support businesses committed to being worker-owned or democratically controlled.
Community Impact
We seek businesses that meet local needs, save jobs, and improve working conditions.
Our difference
What is Non-Extractive Financing?
Non-extractive financing means we don’t pull wealth out of the business—we help build it up from within. Our loan fund is structured to ensure that businesses can thrive and grow without being overburdened by debt. For example, coops don’t have to make repayments unless they are financially stable and the personal assets of workers are not used as collateral.
This approach ensures that the returns to Seed Commons as a lender or investor never exceed the wealth generated for the borrower and their community.
Our IMPACT
What Makes Our Loan Fund Unique?
Our loan fund is designed to empower workers who have historically been denied access to capital due to systemic barriers such as race, origin, economic or immigration status, gender, and age. By focusing on non-extractive financing, we ensure loans do not create financial strain on the businesses we serve. Instead, we prioritize wealth-building for workers, job retention, and improving the quality of work.
Since its inception, Seed Commons has made over 422 loans, investing more than $101 million to support democratically-run, worker-owned businesses. Notably, over 12,760 workers have benefited from this funding, with 99% identifying as low-income at the time of investment.
Our Success Stories
Ready to Get Started?
If your business is a cooperative, transitioning to worker ownership, or committed to becoming democratically governed, please reach out to Ashley Ortiz, our Community Partner, to discuss your business needs and start the process.
Email Ashley: [email protected]
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