Steward-ownership is simply the best protection against mission drift.
The best moment to implement steward-ownership is … now!
We simply hate mission-drift!
As a non-profit guide, we support start-ups / scale-ups on their journey to steward-ownership.
… the best protection against mission drift.
Across the globe, more businesses are emerging with a strong mission focus, aiming to address societal challenges with their products and services. However, staying true to this mission isn’t always straightforward, especially in critical moments when difficult decisions arise, and unexpected incentives and interests come into play.
“More than the design of specific products or services, what matters most is the deep design of the organisation itself”
Kate Raworth (Oxford economist and founder of Doughnut Economics)
Thinking long therm, that’s where steward-ownership comes in!
It ensures that companies prioritize their purpose over short-term profits, especially at pivotal moments. It breaks the age-old link between money and power by unbundling two essential rights: voting rights and economic rights—a true paradigm shift.
These are the remarkable effects of steward-ownership:
Mission always comes first
Profits serve the company’s purpose and cannot be extracted by shareholders.Protection against takeovers and speculative investors
Steward-ownership prevents companies from becoming vulnerable to takeovers by short-term-focused financial parties.Long-term thinking in a short-term world
This structure supports decisions that consider long-term impacts.Benefits for employees, business, and society
Steward-owned companies have shown to increase customer trust, survival rates, and employee satisfaction and retention.
In steward-ownership, companies essentially belong to “themselves.”
It’s not just Patagonia that has made ‘Earth its only shareholder’; start-ups and scale-ups like Ecosia, Sharetribe, Vyld, Einhorn, Sumthing, Sprinklr Plants, and Wildplastic have also transitioned to steward-owned structures.
Patagonia
Steward-owned companies implement two core principles:
Self-governance In steward-owned companies, control remains with people actively involved in the business. Voting rights belong to stewards who are connected to the company’s mission and operations, and who are considered best suited to guide the company. Unlike in conventional ownership models, voting shares cannot be speculatively sold or automatically inherited; instead, they are passed down according to established principles to those closely tied to the business.
Profit serves purpose In steward-owned companies, the company’s value cannot be extracted by shareholders for personal gain. Profits are reinvested in the business, used to cover fair returns to investors, shared with stakeholders, or donated to charity. This structure keeps the focus on purpose, without falling into the imbalance of profit maximization.
Steward-Ownership Explorations:
Guiding Start-Ups and Scale-Ups
Today, the path to steward-ownership still comes with its challenges. But more and more pioneers are finding ways to implement purpose-driven governance. That’s why we organize steward-ownership explorations for start-ups and scale-ups. Accessible and up-tempo, these sessions explore the key components of steward-ownership with company founders, helping them determine if it’s the right choice now.
Together - after a “soul-searching” process (mission, impact strategy) - we seek answers to critical questions like:
What are the concerns with a traditional structure? How could things go wrong when money equals power, and profit extraction for shareholders is unlimited?
Who are the best decision-makers for the company, now and in the future? Who are the most committed stewards, and how will decision-making power transfer across generations?
What structure best supports our mission while allowing flexibility?
What innovative financing structures fit our growth strategy and financial needs?
What is enough—rather than “how much is possible”?
How do we bring financiers on this journey, ensuring they remain true allies with aligned rights?
Do we fully understand the (legal) consequences of our choices?
This exploration aims to:
Fully integrate self-governance and purpose-driven profit: ensuring that principles remain aligned with the company’s mission.
Secure 100% long-term independence: including asset lock options where appropriate.
Define clear principles on financing, control, and profit: realistic and aligned with the company’s values.
We approach this process with an open mind, a critical perspective, and many “What if” questions - focusing on the future. Often, this journey provides founders with a clear vision of how steward-ownership could strengthen and safeguard their company’s mission.
How we can help you:
Ask a question in the monthly open call
Every first Tuesday of the month at 1 PM the Belgian Steward-owned team is available to answer all your questions. No registration needed.
Explore your fit with steward-ownership in a 1to1 meeting
Considering a steward-owned enterprise or investment? We take time to listen to your story and needs. Lets figure out how we can help you. Happy to be your guide
Bring this concept to the public. We love invitations.
During a keynote or workshop, we will guide you through the unique world of steward-ownership. Discover why this is a crucial building block to shift the economy.
Now? Tomorrow? or later?
Are you wondering whether steward-ownership is something you need to consider now, in the early stages of your business, or if it can wait until the company has grown and there’s more to distribute?
You can absolutely begin with a traditional ownership structure and transition to steward-ownership later. This approach is often suitable for many founders and remains a valid option. Others, however, prefer to establish their company in a steward-ownership model from the start. There are several important factors to consider when deciding what’s right for you:
Typically:
The later, the more complex and costly: Converting to steward-ownership later can be more complicated and resource-intensive.
A strong signal to stakeholders: Early adoption communicates to customers, employees, and partners your company’s commitment to its mission.
Clarity and filtering for potential investors: Steward-ownership clarifies from the beginning that there will be no future sale of the company. Investors can expect risk-appropriate and potentially high returns, but the nature of their investment will be different.
Laying solid foundations: Early engagement with topics like governance, motivation, protections, and expectations can unify founders around a shared purpose.
If you decide to start with a conventional structure, this document will help you incorporate steward-ownership principles and make it easier to transition to full steward-ownership when the time is right.
On top of that, there are also hybrid options such as a steward-owned engagement and a steward-ownership-ready structure.
Let’s figure out the best approach!