Cooperative Development
and Technical Support
Cooperative development is at the heart of everything we do in the Democratizing Ownership program. Here are the services we provide to groups forming a new worker cooperative and to established worker cooperatives.
Worker Owned Co-op Academy
The Worker-Owned Cooperative Academy (WOCA) is a comprehensive business start-up program designed to guide aspiring cooperative entrepreneurs from initial concept through business launch. The program begins with a Discovery and Readiness phase, in which groups explore their business viability through market research, competitor analysis, and feasibility assessments, culminating in a committed team of three or more members aligned on a profitable idea. In the Design and Development phase, emerging cooperatives receive intensive support to build their group culture, develop their business model, and establish a governance structure.
By program completion, graduates emerge with a complete set of legal documents, a validated business model, and a member's manual—ready to register with the state of Colorado, open a bank account, and begin operations.
Schedule a time to begin your worker cooperatives.
WOCA
In our Worker-Owned Co-op Academy, we support developing cooperatives on their journey to launch. This program focuses on building your group culture, developing a business model and aligning on how you plan to govern your co-op through legal agreements.
"Thank you to CCWB for WOCA, I personally feel a step closer to being part of a cooperative, it's a full circle for me. It has given our coop members a foundation and now the real work has begun."
Member of CCW's First Co-op Academy Cohort and Worker-Owner of Magnolia Bookkeeping Cooperative
"The academy provided good structure for us to think about how to bring our varied ideas together into a cooperative mindset. It forced us, in a good way, to think about things that we hadn't yet discussed and to work on critical steps for forming our co-op."
Member of CCW's First Co-op Academy Cohort and Worker-Owner of Meadow Creative
At the end of this phase, emerging co-ops should have a set of legal agreements, a business model, and a member’s manual. They should be poised to register with the Secretary of State and IRS and to set up a bank account as they begin operations.
For most startup co-ops, the end of WOCA is only the beginning. Graduates of the cooperative academy may qualify to receive additional multi-year support, including coaching, technical assistance, and back office services.
Want to join the next cohort of WOCA?
Stay tuned—we plan to offer our next Academy in early 2026! Please schedule a time to talk and learn more about joining the next cohort.
Technical Assistance LAB
The Worker-Owned Cooperative Academy (WOCA) is a comprehensive business start-up program designed to guide aspiring cooperative entrepreneurs from initial concept through business launch. The program begins with a Discovery and Readiness phase, in which groups explore their business viability through market research, competitor analysis, and feasibility assessments, culminating in a committed team of three or more members aligned on a profitable idea. In the Design and Development phase, emerging cooperatives receive intensive support to build their group culture, develop their business model, and establish a governance structure.
By program completion, graduates emerge with a complete set of legal documents, a validated business model, and a member's manual—ready to register with the state of Colorado, open a bank account, and begin operations.
Who We Serve
Whether you're taking your first steps in the business world or looking to expand and optimize existing operations, our programs are here to help. We recognize the diverse needs of cooperative businesses across growth stages and tailor our services to meet you where you are. TA LAB serves emerging and established cooperative businesses, and is a good fit if your cooperative falls into one of the following categories:
Emerging: A business that is officially registered with the state and has a defined business plan with financial goals. It has basic assets such as a bank account, logo, business phone number, and/or email address, but is still developing its website and marketing strategy.
Established: A business that is fully operational and recognized. It reports earnings on taxes, has a physical location (where applicable), website, and active marketing channels (including social media). It holds all required certifications and permits, uses a functioning point-of-sale system, and owns the necessary equipment and tools. The business also maintains a client directory and networks for collaboration and connections
Our Services
Workshops and Trainings
Enhance your skills and knowledge through interactive workshops and training sessions on various topics relevant to growing and sustaining your cooperative business.
Workshops are offered monthly and are regularly updated on our website.
Leadership Coaching
Our transformative leadership coaching is designed specifically for people who know that great leadership starts with how you lead yourself. Our coaches are committed to supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs who need help navigating the challenges of managing their cooperatives.
Through coaching, you will improve team dynamics, align your decisions with your purpose, increase business sustainability, and contribute to a better economy for all. The benefits of working with a coach include:
Improved decision-making and resilience under pressure
Navigating team dynamics and conflict with empathy and clarity
Managing stress and preventing burnout through sustainable practices
Fostering inclusive and innovative teams with strong communication and feedback
Aligning with cooperative principles and values
Invest in yourself. Build shared leadership.
Targeted Service Packages
Move skill building and knowledge into Implementation at your cooperative with customized and targeted service packages.
Technical Assistance LAB offers services in the following areas:
Governance
Bylaws - revise and follow
Board - basics/training/roles and responsibilities
Membership - engagement/strategies/roles and responsibilities
Meeting - facilitation/planning
Decision-making strategies
Strategic Planning
Finances
Strategic Planning
Open book management
Consulting with a tax accountant
Loan readiness
Marketing
Sales strategies
Operations
Customer service
Review or update the business plan
Human Resources
Develop and/or review your cooperative membership manual
Membership Onboarding and Orientation
Facilitating difficult conversations
Conflict and mediation
Culture
Communication
Anti-oppression
Coaching & mentoring others
Personal power
Stress management
We've got you covered.
With our Technical Assistance LAB, you can access services that are relevant to your business. What’s more, many of the services we provide to established co-ops are partially covered by the Employee Ownership Tax Credit to Strengthen and to Thrive and the Denver Economic Development & Opportunity.
Fill out this form to discuss your cooperative's technical assistance needs.