Understanding your options to sell your business

If you’re a business owner thinking about succession, this is a good place to start. These resources explain a range of succession and exit options available to Canadian business owners. From private sales and management buyouts to employee ownership and co-operatives, we’re helping you make an informed choice before going deeper. We’ve highlighted a few for you, but you can access all resources in the library below.

• The Case For Employee Ownership
• Employee Ownership Could be Your Best Exit Strategy 
• Innovative Finance and Employee Ownership 

>>> See the “Exploring Exit Options” section in our full resource library for all relevant resources

Learn the differences between EOTs, ESOPs, Co-ops and other EO options

You’ve decided employee ownership is worth exploring. Now you want to understand the models. This section covers the key structures: Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs), Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs), and worker co-operatives, along with the policy and legislative context that shapes how they work in Canada. We’ve highlighted a few for you, but you can access all resources in the library below.

*For in-depth guidance on co-ops, visit our partners, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada and The Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF).

• Employee Ownership  101 (webinar)
• Bravely Onward: ESOP Success Story
• Championing Employee Ownership Trusts to revolutionize wealth distribution (podcast)
• Employee Ownership Trust  (slide deck)
• Tax eligibility chart
• Requirements for the EOT Capital Gains Tax Incentive

>>> See the “Exploring Employee Ownership” section in our full resource library for all relevant resources

Technical resources for owners and advisors actively exploring an EOT transition or Employee Ownership Share Plans 

These resources are designed for business owners, advisors, and other professionals who are ready to go deeper on Employee Ownership. Topics include legal structure, tax implications, valuation, financing options, transaction design, plan structure, and more.
We’ve highlighted a few for you, but you can access all resources in the library below.

• Valuation Essentials
• Financing Solutions for Employee Ownership
• Popular Tax Issues in Employee Share Ownership Plans

>>> See the “Employee Ownership Deep Dive” section in our full resource library for all relevant resources

For employee-owned and transitioning companies building ownership culture 

The transaction is just the beginning. These resources are for companies that have completed or are completing an employee ownership transition. Topics include employee engagement, governance structures, profit-sharing models, financial literacy, and communication strategies. We’ve highlighted a few for you, but you can access all resources in the library below.

• Building Ownership Culture
• Employee Ownership at Gripple

>>> See the “Running an Employee Owned Business” section in our full resource library for all relevant resources

Data, policy context, and evidence for researchers, media, and partners

This section is designed for policymakers, researchers, journalists, economic development agencies, and ecosystem partners seeking evidence, data, and policy context on employee ownership in Canada and internationally.
We’ve highlighted a few for you, but you can access all resources in the library below.

• Four Reasons Our Economy Needs Employee Ownership Now
• A Leading Economist’s Case for Employee Ownership
• NCEO Paper Compares Employee Ownership Models in Five Countries

>>> See the “Research and Policy” section in our full resource library for all relevant resources