Build a Business People Actually Want to Work At
RMEOC's structured incubation program guides workers, entrepreneurs, and retiring business owners through every step of launching or converting to a worker-owned cooperative.
What is Employee Ownership Incubation?
A structured path from idea to worker-owned business
Employee Ownership Incubation is a hands-on support program that guides businesses and worker groups through the entire process of forming a cooperative — from that first spark of an idea all the way through legal formation and launch.
Think of it like a startup incubator, but instead of building a company for investors, you're building one for the people who do the work. Cooperatives are businesses where workers share ownership, profit, and governance — and RMEOC exists to help Colorado workers get there.
Our incubation process combines technical assistance, education, financial analysis, and legal support into a single structured program — so you're never navigating it alone.
Who is this for?
Our incubation program is designed for a range of situations — whether you're starting fresh or transitioning an existing business.
Workers Starting a Business Together
A group of colleagues or community members who want to launch a collectively-owned enterprise — from homecare to construction to food service.
Existing Businesses Considering Conversion
Companies exploring a transition to worker-ownership as a way to improve culture, reduce turnover, and align incentives across the organization.
Community Organizations Launching Co-ops
Nonprofits, CDFIs, and community anchor institutions that want to catalyze cooperative economic development in their neighborhoods.
Retiring Owners Exploring Succession
Business owners who want to protect jobs, preserve the business's legacy, and exit on their own terms by selling to their employees.
The Coop Incubation Process
Becoming a worker-owned cooperative isn't a single event — it's a journey. RMEOC walks each company through five sequential stages, in order. Each one builds the foundation for the next.
Exploration and Feasibility Study
Exploration:
- Initial Consultation: Engage with interested parties to discuss the concept of employee ownership and assess its suitability for the business or community.
- Owner Interview & Assessment: Gather detailed information about the potential business operations, and goals.
- Workshop on Key Concepts: Introduce essential principles of employee ownership to stakeholders, fostering understanding and interest.
- Evaluation of Fit: Determine the alignment of employee ownership with the group's objectives and decide whether to proceed to the feasibility phase.
Feasibility Study:
- Preliminary Financial Analysis: Conduct an initial assessment to evaluate the financial viability of the cooperative model.
- Comprehensive Feasibility Study: Perform an in-depth analysis, including industry and market assessments, organizational and technical evaluations, and detailed financial projections.
- Duration: This phase typically spans 1-3 months.
Community Organizing and Recruitment
- Identify and engage potential worker-owners and community allies.
- Conduct outreach through meetings, educational events, and one-on-one conversations to build interest and alignment.
- Develop leadership within the cooperative by encouraging democratic participation from the start.
- Establish a core group committed to moving forward with the incubation process.
Coop Education
- Employee Ownership Trends: Educate stakeholders on the current landscape and benefits of employee ownership in the U.S.
- Legal Models & Governance: Discuss various legal structures and governance models suitable for cooperatives.
- Financial Training: Provide training on financial management, including open book management practices.
- Capital Raising Strategies: Explore methods for raising capital to support the cooperative.
- Building Democratic Workplace Culture: Offer guidance on fostering a democratic and collaborative workplace environment.
- Conflict Resolution: Equip members with tools and techniques for effective conflict resolution.
- Bylaws and Operating Agreements Overview: Review the cooperative's bylaws or operating agreements to ensure clarity and compliance.
- Duration: This educational phase generally takes 1-3 months.
Legal Filing and Financing
- Collaboration with Legal and Financial Experts: Work alongside attorneys and certified public accountants experienced in employee ownership to finalize the cooperative's structure.
- Implementation of Legal Structure: Execute the agreed-upon employee ownership structure, roles and responsibilities as necessary.
- Commencement of Operations: Worker-owners begin operating under the incubated cooperative.
Coop Launch
- Mission Accomplished: Celebrate the successful creation of the cooperative, acknowledging the efforts of all involved.
- Ongoing Support: Provide continuous support to ensure the cooperative's sustainability and growth.
- Community Engagement: Encourage active participation in the broader cooperative community to share experiences and resources.
Why RMEOC?
Colorado's most experienced employee ownership organization
We're not a consulting firm. We're a nonprofit with one mission: build a more equitable Colorado economy through worker ownership.
12+
Years of Experience
RMEOC has been building the employee ownership ecosystem in Colorado longer than any other organization — with deep expertise in ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and conversion transactions.
Colorado-First
We Know the Local Landscape
From the Front Range to the Western Slope, we understand Colorado's industries, communities, regulatory environment, and funding sources in a way that national firms simply don't.
Nonprofit Mission
We Succeed When You Succeed
Our mission is worker wealth — so we're fully invested in your co-op's long-term success, not a closing commission.
What People Are Saying
Voices From Our Community
Schedule a Consultation
Share Your BIG Idea
Do you have a visionary concept for a community-owned or employee-owned business that can benefit the entire community? Share your BIG ideas with us. We are committed to creating a more just and equitable economic system that works for marginalized communities.
Schedule a consultation with us to explore how we can support your journey.
Common Questions
Still wondering if this is right for you? Here are the questions we hear most often.
The full process typically takes 8–18 months from initial discovery call to legal formation and launch. The timeline varies based on the complexity of the business, number of worker-owners involved, and capitalization needs.
RMEOC provides many services on a sliding-scale or no-cost basis thanks to foundation and government funding. Some phases — particularly legal formation — involve third-party costs. We'll walk you through expected costs during the discovery call.
No. We work with worker groups who are starting from scratch, as well as existing businesses considering conversion. The process looks a bit different for each, but both paths are well-supported.
We primarily support worker cooperatives and ESOP conversions. We have experience across many industries including homecare, construction, food service, professional services, manufacturing, and retail.
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