Information derives from a lecture by Cuban Criminal Justice and Cooperative Attorney Oldalys Perex Martinez, on January 15, 2020 We’re mainly taught in the U.S. that Cuba is “ruled” by a militaristic, one-party, authoritarian regime (e.g. links intentionally omitted). The on-the-ground perspective in Cuba is quite different; so too are the facts. Cuba’s people democratically …
Jason Wiener
Cuba and Cooperatives (Part 2): Cooperatives in Cuba, a Love Story (of sorts)
Much of the primary information comes from a lecture by Dr. Jesus Cruz Reyes, on January 13, 2020 in Havana, Cuba. Dr. Cruz Reyes is Cuba’s foremost cooperative economist and is on the faculty of economics at the University of Havana. The Cuban “State Enterprise” is undoubtedly the single largest economic consumer and producer in …
Cuba and Cooperatives (Series): Opening Invitation
Cuba is a study of contrast and contradiction. How does a 950-mile long island of 10M people, situated only 90 miles from the U.S., sustain its people, culture and autonomy while living under the proverbial boot of the most powerful country on earth? And, while promoting a deeply connected civil society that puts racial, sex, …
V-BLOG: BEYOND DEBT/EQUITY: HOW CAN WE HELP THE SOLIDARITY ECONOMY GROW?
Click here to view Jason Wiener’s recent webinar and learn more about alternative investment vehicles such as convertible notes, revenue-based financing, and guarantees.
New Models for #platformcoop Design, Part 5: Reciprocal Ownership
In this series so far, we have analyzed the potential for a sistered for-profit entity and cooperative entity to separately optimize for financing and member-orientation. Since publishing this series, I’ve received some good feedback from readers. Some have asked about additional terms and benefits that could be designed into the TechCo – Cooperative “pre-nuptial” agreement. …
New Models for #platformcoop Design, Part 4: Option B – The TechCo and Co-op Marriage
Click here to read the previous post in the series, Part 3: Option A – The Integrated Tech/Data Cooperative In light of the design and practical challenges that face certain kinds of #platformcoops, we have re-incarnated a traditional private equity strategy that houses different operational functions within separate legal structures. I call this the “TechCo …
New Models for #platformcoop Design, Part 3: Option A – The Integrated Tech/Data Cooperative
In the previous blog post, I used real estate development as an analogy to illustrate a #platformcoop. In this #platformcoop model, the technology architecture is developed, funded, and deployed within the same legal vessel as that which processes, distributes, and monetizes the throughput data. The tech platform is owned by the same stakeholders as the …
New Models for #platformcoop Design Part 2
Click here to read the first post in the series, The Marriage of TechCo and Co-op. If traditional tech platforms are generally designed to maximize liquidity value, and cooperatives are generally designed to maximize use value, how can the #platformcoop movement successfully blend both models to meet the needs of all stakeholders involved? We think one …
New Models for #platformcoop Design: The Marriage of TechCo and Co-op
Over the years, we have advised our clients on dozens of #platformcoop designs, formations, and fundraising campaigns. While the cooperative structure has been used for decades as a legal vessel for both collective asset ownership (e.g. affordable and market-rate housing, commercial real estate, electric generation and distribution, manufacturing, processing, etc.) and for collective distribution access …
Employee Ownership Models
8/10 baby-boomer owned businesses has no succession plan. Nationally, less than 25% of businesses valued at less than $1M can find a buyer. We are living through the largest wealth transfer in human history. In this presentation, Jason Wiener explores the structures and mechanics of converting a small business to employee ownership. The presentation focuses …
