Steward-Ownership in Practice
This chapter transitions from theory to practice, diving deep into how steward-ownership is actually implemented. We'll examine how historical forerunners first structured pioneering solutions, paving the way for today's entrepreneurs. We look at how this model helps startups to build their companies from inception. We finally explore how well-known businesses structure it to solve the challenge of mission drift and how family businesses utilize it for succession.
Historical Case Studies
Start-Ups
Successions
elobau
How modern family-owned companies switch the narrative
Märkisches Landbrot
A single-foundation model as a good succession plan
Patagonia
Not woke capitalism but the future of business
Organically Grown Company
From nonprofit to cooperative to ESOP to steward-ownership
Expert Voices
Succession with Steward-Ownership
A conversation with Thomas Bruch
Thomas Bruch explains why Globus is “self-owned,” why voting rights are tied to active entrepreneurial roles rather than inheritance, and how steward-ownership secures long-term responsibility for the company, its employees, and the communities it serves.
Transitioning To Steward-Ownership
An interview with Purpose Consulting
Achim Hensen explains how an experience of losing entrepreneurial freedom through a company sale led him to the ownership question and why purpose and self-determination cannot work without coherent ownership structures.
Legislation for Steward-Ownership
An interview with the foundation for steward-ownership
Carla Reuter from SVE explains why steward-ownership still relies on legal workarounds in many countries and why a dedicated legal form is needed.