Multi-stakeholder cooperatives (MSCs) are co-ops that formally allow for governance by representatives of two or more “stakeholder” groups within the same organization, including consumers, producers, workers, volunteers or general community supporters

Wealth inequality is a global phenomenon in which the rich are growing richer, and the poor poorer.

E2C advocates for an alternative approach to the traditional startup exit strategy of acquisition or IPO. E2C proposes that startups mature into community ownership, where stakeholders collectively own and govern the company.

The Employee Impact Index™ illuminates company top opportunities to leverage changes in the operational and managerial practices that have known correlations to improved human capital and financial KPIs. Index scores provide the business with an actionable roadmap to success.

changes in the ownership structure of user owned and controlled organizations (co-ops) from a mutual to a for-profit, proprietary organization

An ESOP that operates within a 401(k). Companies match employee contributions with stock rather than cash. KSOPs are considered defined-benefit plans, as companies that offer them can reduce the administrative expenses of operating separate ESOPs and 401(k) plans.

A commercial loan is a debt-based funding arrangement between a business and a financial institution such as a bank.

Intellectual property encompasses a wide range of intangible assets legally owned and protected from unauthorized use or reproduction. IP includes trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets, and drive competitive advantage during innovation.

An IPO is the process by which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time. The process involves meeting regulatory requirements, hiring investment banks to manage the offering, setting the IPO price, and issuing shares.

Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio is a crucial financial metric used by lenders to assess borrowers' ability to manage debt. It measures the percentage of a person’s gross monthly income that goes towards debt payments.

CAFE is a novel financial instrument aimed at enhancing community engagement in company success introduced by Fairmint. Developed in collaboration with legal experts, CAFE offers enhanced control for founders, equity access for stakeholders, and liquidity for investors.

The rights of managers, employees and other operational actors within a business to handle the day to day functions/operation of the business. These rights can be exercised more laterally (flatly) or vertically (hierarchically).

A leveraged buyout (LBO) is when one company acquires another using mostly borrowed money, often secured by the assets of both companies.

The interest coverage ratio (ICR) assesses a company's capacity to manage its debt obligations, crucial for evaluating its financial stability. It's calculated by dividing EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) by total interest expense.

EBSA ensures the security of the retirement, health, and other job-based benefits of America's workers and their families; they develop effective regulations, assisting and educating workers, plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and service providers, and vigorously enforce the law.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, signed into law by President Obama on April 5, 2012, aims to ease SEC regulations on small businesses.

The Doughnut is two rings: a social foundation, meeting essentials for all people, and an ecological ceiling, to ensure that humanity does not overshoot the planetary boundaries of human habitability. Between these two is a doughnut that is ecologically safe and socially just.

The Employee Equity Investment Act (EEIA) aims to use the SBA's SBIC program to guarantee loans for investment funds supporting employee ownership.

Refers to businesses who have qualified with the SBA as certified veteran-owned small businesses

Discounted cash flow (DCF) is a valuation method that estimates the value of an investment using its expected future cash flows. Analysts use DCF to determine the value of an investment today, based on projections of how much money that investment will generate in the future.

Venture capital (VC) is a form of private equity and a type of financing for startup companies and small businesses with long-term growth potential.

The articles of incorporation act like the constitution of the company. They include what kind and how much stock the company will authorize and information such as the name of the corporation, the corporate purpose, and the list of initial directors

The likelihood that, if desired by a business owner, that their business can grow rapidly in terms of KPI's such as market share, EBITDA, new customer acquisition cost, etc.

A NSO is a type of employee stock option wherein you pay ordinary income tax on the difference between the grant price and the price at which you exercise the option. They are called non-qualified because they do not meet the requirements of the IRC to be qualified as ISOs.

IRR, or internal rate of return, is a metric used in financial analysis to estimate the profitability of potential investments. IRR is a discount rate that makes the net present value (NPV) of all cash flows equal to zero in a discounted cash flow analysis.

Real estate that is owned and controlled by its residents, whether that be on a full (market) equity, limited equity, or zero equity basis.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides crucial financial assistance to small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations impacted by declared disasters.

A business broker facilitates the sale of a business by representing the buyer or seller.

An SBA special classification of small business which is predominantly owned by individuals belonging to a racial minority.

A financial buyer is primarily interested in the return that can be achieved from the purchase of a business, and interested in what cash flow the investment will generate and what kind of exit strategies the investment will offer in the future