Cooperative types
One platform.
Every co-op type.
When you sign up, you choose your cooperative type. Your workspace then shows the modules that fit it and hides the ones that don’t.
Worker Cooperative
Owned by the people who do the work.
In a worker cooperative, the employees are the owners. Surplus is usually shared by labor patronage, such as hours worked. OwnFold gives worker co-ops timesheets and shifts, a Worker Console for field updates, projects and work orders for job costing, and a patronage workflow that posts allocations to each member’s capital account.
Examples: Trades and remodeling, cleaning services, tech and design studios, restaurants
Start a Worker co-opTypical model
- Governance
- One member, one vote
- Patronage usually based on
- Hours or wages worked
Key modules in this workspace
- Timesheets & Shifts
- Worker Console
- Work Orders
- Projects & Job Costing
- Patronage Engine
Some modules require a specific plan. See pricing for details.
Producer Cooperative
Owned by the people who supply the product.
Producer cooperatives let independent suppliers pool marketing, processing, and distribution while keeping their own operations. OwnFold records member deliveries, manages shared inventory and procurement, and supports patronage based on the volume each member supplies.
Examples: Farms, artisan collectives, food brands, fisheries, coffee growers
Start a Producer co-opTypical model
- Governance
- One member, one vote (some use proportional voting)
- Patronage usually based on
- Volume or value delivered
Key modules in this workspace
- Member Deliveries
- Inventory
- Procurement & Purchase Orders
- Patronage Engine
- Capital Readiness
Some modules require a specific plan. See pricing for details.
Consumer Cooperative
Owned by the people who buy the product.
Consumer cooperatives are owned by their customers, and surplus is usually returned as patronage dividends based on purchases. OwnFold includes a point-of-sale and inventory module alongside the member ledger and patronage workflow.
Examples: Grocery and food co-ops, bookstores, buying clubs, outdoor gear shops
Start a Consumer co-opTypical model
- Governance
- One member, one vote
- Patronage usually based on
- Purchases
Key modules in this workspace
- Point of Sale
- Inventory
- Member Ledger
- Patronage Engine
- Compliance Calendar
Some modules require a specific plan. See pricing for details.
Housing Cooperative
Owned by the people who live there.
Housing cooperatives give residents an ownership stake in their building. Members pay monthly charges and govern maintenance, improvements, and community rules together. OwnFold records resident leases and rent, can credit part of each payment to a resident’s capital account, and tracks maintenance through work orders.
Examples: Resident-owned apartments, co-housing communities, senior and student housing
Start a Housing co-opTypical model
- Governance
- One member (or unit), one vote
- Patronage usually based on
- Occupancy charges
Key modules in this workspace
- Housing Leases
- Work Orders
- Governance Engine
- Member Ledger
- Compliance Calendar
Some modules require a specific plan. See pricing for details.
Platform Cooperative
Owned by the people who use the platform.
Platform cooperatives are a democratic alternative to gig apps: the people who power the service share ownership. OwnFold includes a gig dispatcher that records completed jobs with a transparent fee split, alongside timesheets, CRM, and patronage.
Examples: Rideshare drivers, freelance networks, delivery services, care workers
Start a Platform co-opTypical model
- Governance
- One member, one vote
- Patronage usually based on
- Jobs completed or revenue earned
Key modules in this workspace
- Gig Dispatcher
- Timesheets
- CRM & Pipeline
- Patronage Engine
- Financial Core
Some modules require a specific plan. See pricing for details.
Purchasing Cooperative
Owned by the businesses that buy together.
Purchasing cooperatives let independent businesses combine their buying power for better prices and shared services. OwnFold supports consolidated co-op purchasing, purchase orders, and patronage based on each member’s purchase volume.
Examples: Hardware store alliances, independent pharmacies, franchisee groups, restaurant buying groups
Start a Purchasing co-opTypical model
- Governance
- One member, one vote, or volume-weighted
- Patronage usually based on
- Purchase volume
Key modules in this workspace
- Co-op Procurement
- Inventory
- Purchase Orders
- Patronage Engine
- Member Ledger
Some modules require a specific plan. See pricing for details.
Also supported
Utility & energy co-ops
Register member meters, log readings, and bill consumption at a per-unit rate.
Equipment-sharing co-ops
Register shared assets, book them for members, log hours used, and split maintenance costs by usage.
Time banks & caregiver co-ops
Log service exchanges between members, track hour balances, and convert earned hours into equity.
Still forming?
A startup workspace focuses on formation, legal, compliance, and the advisor and lender marketplaces.
Not sure which type fits?
Start with a 14-day free trial and explore, or tell us about your business and we’ll point you in the right direction. For the legal choice of entity, work with a cooperative attorney.