FAQ

A worker cooperative (or worker co-op) is a business owned and democratically controlled by the people who work there. Unlike traditional companies, where decisions are made by executives and shareholders, co-ops give every worker an equal voice in major decisions and a share of the profits.

EconChangers focuses exclusively on worker-owned businesses. We combine crowdfunding (FlockTank) with business operations software (FlockWorker) and a service marketplace (FlockList) to provide comprehensive support. We also require all funded co-ops to commit to worker-first policies like the 50/50 profit split.

EconChangers Co-Ops are worker cooperatives that have been funded through FlockTank and agree to our core policies: a 50/50 profit split with workers, job security commitments, and public financial transparency. They also use FlockWorker for their business operations.

Simply create a free account, browse available campaigns, and invest in projects that align with your values. You can invest as little as $100 in most campaigns. FlockTank uses revenue-based financing, a debt-style investment—you receive repayments from business revenue, not equity or ownership in the co-op. All investments are made through our SEC-compliant platform.

FlockTank campaigns use revenue-based financing, a debt-style investment. You'll receive proportional payments as the co-op generates revenue until your agreed return is reached. Investors do not receive equity or ownership in the co-op. Returns depend on the success of the business and vary by campaign. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of your investment.

We use an all-or-nothing model. If a campaign doesn't reach its funding goal, your investment is returned, less the 7.5% platform fee which is retained by EconChangers to cover operational costs.

Accredited investors have no limits. For everyone else, SEC Regulation CF limits apply: if both your income and net worth are $124,000+, you can invest up to 10% of the higher figure (max $124,000/year). If either is below $124,000, the limit is 5% of the higher figure, with a minimum of $2,500/year for everyone.

Start by submitting a campaign proposal through FlockTank. Our team will review your business plan and help you prepare for crowdfunding. Once approved, you'll launch your campaign and begin raising funds from community investors.

FlockWorker costs just 3% of your gross revenue. This gives you access to our full suite of business tools including HR management, payroll, accounting, and real-time analytics. Training and support are included.

All EconChangers Co-Ops commit to three policies: (1) A 50/50 profit split where half of net profits are shared equally among all workers, (2) Job security commitments protecting workers from technology-related layoffs, and (3) Public transparency through published financial and staffing data.

Yes! Many successful co-ops started as traditional businesses. We can help you transition to worker ownership while maintaining business continuity. Our team provides guidance on legal structure, governance, and worker education.

Absolutely. FlockTank is designed for exactly this. You launch a crowdfunding campaign where community investors provide the capital for your employees to buy the business. You receive a fair price for your life's work, your employees gain ownership, and investors receive revenue-based repayments from the new co-op.

First, we help you establish a fair valuation for your business. Then you launch a FlockTank campaign with a funding goal that covers the buyout amount. Community investors contribute, and once the goal is met, the funds go toward purchasing the business. Your employees become worker-owners, and the business transitions to an EconChangers Co-Op with our core policies in place.

Your employees stay on and become the new owners. We provide training on cooperative governance, democratic decision-making, and using FlockWorker for business operations. The transition is designed to be smooth—operations continue while ownership transfers to the workers.

Once the FlockTank campaign reaches its funding goal, you receive the agreed-upon sale price. Investors are then repaid over time through the co-op's revenue, not from your proceeds. You exit with your capital while your employees build on what you created.

We offer an Exit Strategy Report powered by Zolidar that evaluates your business and provides a roadmap. This helps you understand what's needed—whether it's financial preparation, employee training, or operational changes—before launching a campaign.

Selling to employees preserves your legacy. The business stays local, jobs are protected, and the people who helped build it become its owners. Unlike private equity, worker ownership means decisions are made by people invested in the community, not distant shareholders focused only on short-term profits.

All investments are made through our SEC-compliant Reg CF platform with proper legal documentation. While we vet campaigns and require detailed business plans, all investments carry risk, including the potential loss of your principal. If a campaign doesn't reach its funding goal, your investment is returned less the 7.5% platform fee.

Co-ops repay investors through revenue-based financing (RBF), a debt-style arrangement. A percentage of the co-op's gross revenue goes to investors each month until the agreed-upon return is reached. Investors receive repayments, not equity or ownership in the co-op. Payments scale with the business's success.

We collect standard account information for compliance purposes. For co-ops using FlockWorker, we process business data to provide our services. All EconChangers Co-Ops publish public dashboards with financial and staffing information as part of our transparency commitment.