Back to Library
GuideIntro

Types of Employee Ownership

A Project Equity comparison of ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts.

Source: Project EquityAdded June 12, 2026
Open original resource

Why it matters

Founders often need to compare employee ownership models before committing to an ESOP feasibility process.

Best for

Early-stage education for owners, advisors, and community builders exploring multiple employee ownership pathways.

This comparison helps prevent the common mistake of treating all employee ownership models as interchangeable. It gives readers a simple way to understand why an ESOP may fit one company while a worker co-op or EOT may fit another.

Continue with the original source

Heirloom Library entries are summaries and wayfinding notes. The original source is the best place to read the full resource.

Open original resource

Next readings

Continue through the reading paths that include this resource.

From Start here for employee ownership

A Guide to Employee Ownership for Very Small Businesses

Understand why very small businesses may need simpler options.

View full path

Related

Keep exploring

Legal and finance·Intro

Employee Ownership Initiative: Employee Ownership

A U.S. Department of Labor resource comparing ESOPs, worker cooperatives, EOTs, and equity compensation, including a concise definition of EOTs as perpetual purpose trusts.

U.S. Department of Labor
Employee Ownership TrustsESOPs+3 categoriesEmployee Ownership TrustESOP+2 models