Co-op U

14-week Co-op Incubator Program

In August 2024 Cleveland Owns is running our second edition of Co-op U, our co-op incubator, in partnership with our allies at Co-op Cincy and Co-op Dayton. Co-op U is a 14-week program for groups looking to launch worker-owned businesses. Groups of two or more people with a vision for a worker-owned co-op can apply to join this state-wide cohort with sponsorship from Cleveland Owns.

What is Co-op U?
A training and support program that helps teams develop a worker-owned business. It's a virtual program in
partnership with Co-op Cincy and Co-op Dayton.

Participants in Co-op U:
  • Develop a successful business plan of their own anchored in the proven co-op model
  • Benefit from weekly virtual trainings, 1-on-1 mentorship, and technical assistance, as well as hands-on training by professionals
  • Receive assistance incorporating and structuring your business
  • Have an opportunity to access financing

How long is the program?
Co-op U lasts 14 weeks, with participants meeting virtually from 6-8 PM EST on Wednesdays from August 21st, 2024 to November 20th, 2024.

In addition to weekly evening sessions, participants are expected to dedicate additional time (2-5 hours a week) to conduct research, interview potential customers and partners, and test their product or service.

Who is the program designed for?
Teams of at least 2 Ohio residents with a business idea.

Cost
$500 - $1,500 per team, with a sliding scale based on ability to pay. Please do not let cost prevent you from applying - we're here to make it work for you and your team!

Submit your application with this form by Friday, July 19th. Email questions to info@clevelandowns.coop

Testimonials

 Co-op U had a wide array of tools to use for new or existing co-ops. One of the beautiful things about the course is that not everyone needs every tool, but they are all there to be used or modified for your co-op. Bogdan from Cleveland Owns is an amazing coach and facilitator and really helped us to see the usefulness of the tools. With a combination of cheerleading where we are strong, challenging us where we needed improvement and modifying tools to help them be more useful for us I don’t think we could have had a better facilitator. I’m confident that People’s Plumbing would not be where we are today without the support of Cleveland Owns and the knowledge gained from the Co-op U class. 

Cristobal Van Breen: People’s Plumbing, Operations Coordinator & Service Technician

 I highly recommend participating in the course! People’s Plumbing participated in Co-op U in early 2024. Before the course, People’s Plumbing worked a few jobs, but we struggled to find work and were overwhelmed with everything we needed to do to start our co-op. As part of Co-op U, we conducted interviews and did financial modeling. Now, we apply the skills and knowledge that we learned through Co-op U every day. And we built connections because of Cleveland Owns. We can now cover our expenses and pay ourselves each month, and we plan to buy a van and hire another plumber in the upcoming months. We would not be where we are today without Co-Op U and Cleveland Owns! 

Emma Folkerts: People’s Plumbing, Financial & Administrative Coordinator
  

FAQ

If you need to a class, yes, we can provide accommodations for making it up. We'll share with you a recording after every session and the materials used. You'll also need to have at least one other person on your team, so ideally that person can help fill you in, but if you both need to miss it we will try to schedule a make up session with you (our ability to do so depends on all of our schedules).

Just note that a major benefit of Co-op U is the experience of taking it alongside other startup co-ops and receiving feedback from each other, so for the best experience we recommend not planning to miss more than 2 classes.