Start.coop
Start.coop is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerator that runs an 8-week Incubator, 12-week Accelerator, consulting, fiscal sponsorship, and donor programs to help founders in the US build and scale cooperatively owned businesses, with a focus on historically underserved populations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersJamaica Plain, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Start.coop does
Start.coop (legally Cooperatives for a Better World, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 81-3247254, headquartered in Jamaica Plain, MA) is the only US-based nonprofit accelerator dedicated exclusively to scaling cooperatively-owned businesses. Founded circa 2016-2018, the organization has accelerated 40 startups since inception, including The Driver's Cooperative (the largest worker cooperative in the United States) and Savvy Cooperative (the first cooperative to receive VC funding), and has raised over $1.2M in philanthropic funding. Its core technology stack is a codified curriculum rather than software: a proprietary 8-week Lean Co-op methodology delivered through a facilitated Incubator and a 12-week Accelerator, supported by reusable self-service tools (Ownership Model Canvas, Bylaw Starter Kit, three templatized legal forms), a free self-guided Lean Co-op online course hosted on Teachable, and recurring Ask Me Anything webinars on Eventbrite. The marketing and operations layer sits on Squarespace with integrations to Typeform (fiscal sponsorship applications), HubSpot (payments and CRM for the Leadership Circle), Eventbrite (info sessions), Notion (portfolio hosting), and Google Workspace (application forms and templates). There are no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, and no mobile app or public API.
Start.coop firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Start.coop
- Legal name
- Cooperatives for a Better World, 501(c)(3)
- Website
- https://start.coop
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Start.coop is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerator that runs an 8-week Incubator, 12-week Accelerator, consulting, fiscal sponsorship, and donor programs to help founders in the US build and scale cooperatively owned businesses, with a focus on historically underserved populations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Start.coop industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cooperative Business Development and Acceleration
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB)
Keywords
Where Start.coop is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jamaica Plain
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Start.coop business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, donor-advised funds (DAFs by legal name "Cooperatives for a Better World" or EIN 81-3247254), and the Leadership Circle giving program ($6,250 per founder). Since founding, the organization has raised over $1.2 million in philanthropic funding.
- Fiscal sponsorship fees: Percentage-based administrative fees on grants passing through Start.coop to fiscally sponsored cooperatives: 5% on philanthropic grants under $1M, 3% above $1M, 2% above $2.5M, and 10% on government grants. Requires minimum project budget of $25,000.
- Consulting services: Tailored paid consulting engagements with a team of co-design experts for entrepreneurs, organizations (e.g., AARP Foundation, James Irvine Foundation), and initiatives needing bespoke cooperative-development support. Begins with a free introductory conversation.
- Foundation and government grants: Restricted grants from foundations and government programs (e.g., USDA Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant funds the Rural Entrepreneurs Incubator; Shared Capital funds the Spring 2026 cohort). Grants support program delivery and participant stipends.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Incubator (8-week, rural entrepreneurs) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Lean Co-op self-paced online course |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Fiscal sponsorship administrative fee |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Consulting and custom program design |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Leadership Circle donation (Accelerator funding) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Start.coop product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Start.coop runs a 12-week Accelerator and an 8-week Cooperative Business Incubator (with specialized cohorts such as rural entrepreneurs and Black co-ops) supported by a free Lean Co-op online course, paid cooperative-development consulting, a fiscal-sponsorship service that channels grants through its 501(c)(3) status, custom program design for partners, a Leadership Circle donor program, and self-serve tools like the Ownership Model Canvas and Bylaw Starter Kit. Its mission is to scale the next generation of cooperatively-owned businesses in the United States.
Product overview
Start.coop (operated by Cooperatives for a Better World, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) delivers an integrated suite of programs, advisory services, and educational resources rather than a single software product. Its offering is organized around a flagship 12-week Accelerator (with open-enrollment and specialized cohorts such as the Fall 2025 Accelerator for Black Co-ops and the Colorado Employee Ownership Cohort), an 8-week Lean Co-op Incubator (with rural and shared-capital variants), the self-guided Lean Co-op online course hosted on Teachable, Co-op Consulting Services, a Fiscal Sponsorship program that lets cooperatives receive tax-deductible donations through Start.coop's 501(c)(3) status, a Custom Program Design practice for partners, and the Leadership Circle donor program. These are supported by reusable self-service tools (the Ownership Model Canvas and Bylaw Starter Kit), a library of Case Studies (Brightly, Defector Media, Equal Exchange, Real Pickles, Stocksy United, The Drivers Cooperative, Zebras Unite), and a recurring Ask Me Anything workshop series hosted on Eventbrite — all serving the shared goal of scaling cooperatively owned businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Start.coop Accelerator
Quantifiable outcome
- Accelerated 40 start-ups since founding
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Start.coop
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles8 records
Start.coop technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature6 records
Start.coop partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major, core and minor.
- The Equitable Economy FundflagshipSpin-out sister organization that anchors a $2M equity fund for shared ownership. Investors seeking to balance portfolios with cooperatively-owned businesses are referred to The Equitable Economy Fund. Start.coop highlights the relationship on its Partner page, and the fund is referenced as one of Start.coop's biggest spin-out achievements on the Work With Us page.
- AARP FoundationmajorPartnered with Start.coop to build new initiatives around cooperatives and the solidarity economy. Referenced on the Consulting page as an example of an established organization Start.coop has co-developed programs with.
- James Irvine FoundationmajorPartnered with Start.coop to build new initiatives around cooperatives and the solidarity economy. Referenced on the Consulting page as an example of an established organization Start.coop has co-developed programs with.
- Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC)coreCo-delivers the Colorado Employee Ownership Peer Cohort with Start.coop, helping business owners explore employee ownership as an exit strategy. Cohort participants apply via LegacyExit.org and are connected to funders, technical assistance providers, and ecosystem leaders curated by RMEOC.
- EventbritecoreEvent ticketing and registration platform used to host Start.coop's information sessions (e.g., Fall 2025 USDA Incubator info sessions in July 2025) and Ask Me Anything online sessions. Start.coop maintains an active Eventbrite organizer profile.
- TeachablecoreOnline course platform that hosts Start.coop's free Lean Co-op self-guided curriculum, providing on-demand modules for founders.
- TypeformcoreOnline form platform used for Start.coop's fiscal sponsorship application workflow.
- HubSpotcorePayments and CRM platform used to process Leadership Circle $6,250 donations via HubSpot Payment Links.
- LegacyExit.orgminorApplication and discovery site where prospective Colorado Employee Ownership Peer Cohort participants apply. Start.coop drives applications through LegacyExit.org as part of its employee-ownership GTM motion.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Start.coop competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Seed Commons: Seed Commons is a national network of cooperative loan funds financing democratic workplaces. Comparable to Start.coop's ecosystem because both serve cooperative entrepreneurs needing capital readiness and ecosystem support, with overlapping founder pipelines in BIPOC and worker-owned businesses.
- Shared Capital Cooperative: Shared Capital is a CDFI loan fund that finances cooperative businesses, and is also a current Start.coop partner funding the Spring 2026 cohort. Comparable as a cooperative-focused capital provider in the same ecosystem that sources deal flow from accelerators like Start.coop.
- The ICA Group: The ICA Group is a nonprofit consulting firm specializing in cooperative development, worker ownership, and conversions. Comparable to Start.coop's consulting and Incubator/Accelerator offerings for cooperative entrepreneurs and ownership transitions, particularly in the Northeast US.
- Cooperative Development Foundation: Cooperative Development Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that supports cooperative development domestically and internationally through grants, education, and disaster relief. Directly comparable to Start.coop because both are 501(c)(3) cooperative-development organizations providing education, fiscal pathways, and ecosystem support to cooperative entrepreneurs.
- Project Equity: Project Equity is a nonprofit that helps business owners transition to employee ownership and supports cooperative conversions. Directly comparable to Start.coop because it serves the same cooperative-ownership transition market, with overlapping consulting, education, and ecosystem-building services.
- Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center: RMEOC is a regional nonprofit promoting employee ownership through education, peer cohorts, and conversions. Directly comparable because it co-delivers the Colorado Employee Ownership Peer Cohort with Start.coop and serves overlapping founder and owner audiences.
Broad incumbents
- US Federation of Worker Cooperatives: USFWC is the national trade association for worker cooperatives in the US, providing education, advocacy, and a developer membership network. Comparable to Start.coop because both serve the worker-cooperative ecosystem through education, peer connection, and advocacy, though USFWC is a membership body rather than an accelerator.
- SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): SCORE is the largest US network of volunteer business mentors offering free small-business mentoring and education. A broad incumbent comparable in mission (free business mentoring and education for early-stage founders) and in program structure, though not cooperative-specific.
- National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA): NCBA CLUSA is the oldest and largest US national cooperative trade association, representing diverse co-op sectors with policy, advocacy, and education programs. A broad incumbent comparable to Start.coop in mission and education focus, though operating at much larger scale and with a policy rather than accelerator orientation.
Emerging players
- Zebras Unite: Zebras Unite is a cooperative movement advocating for "zebras" — businesses that share ownership and profits. Featured as a Start.coop case study (Zebras Unite Cooperative) and operates as a peer movement organization; emerging player with thematic overlap rather than direct competition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Start.coop social profiles
Digital presenceStart.coop financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Start.coop leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Start.coop subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Start.coop funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Start.coop M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Start.coop
What does Start.coop do?
Start.coop runs a 12-week Accelerator and an 8-week Cooperative Business Incubator (with specialized cohorts such as rural entrepreneurs and Black co-ops) supported by a free Lean Co-op online course, paid cooperative-development consulting, a fiscal-sponsorship service that channels grants through its 501(c)(3) status, custom program design for partners, a Leadership Circle donor program, and self-serve tools like the Ownership Model Canvas and Bylaw Starter Kit. Its mission is to scale the next generation of cooperatively-owned businesses in the United States.
Is Start.coop a public or private company?
Start.coop is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Start.coop founded?
Start.coop was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Start.coop based?
Start.coop is headquartered in Jamaica Plain, United States, in the North America region.
How does Start.coop make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic donations are the primary driver. The others are fiscal sponsorship fees, consulting services and foundation and government grants.
Who are Start.coop's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Seed Commons, Shared Capital Cooperative, The ICA Group, Cooperative Development Foundation, Project Equity and Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. Broad incumbents are US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA). Zebras Unite is listed as an emerging player.
Does Start.coop have an API?
No public API is recorded for Start.coop.
What industry is Start.coop in?
Start.coop's product category is Cooperative Business Development and Acceleration. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAHAC, Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators, with a secondary code of EDAMAHAB, Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.