(SECOND EDITION!)
Steward-ownership is an interesting option for companies looking to safeguard their purpose and mission through their legal DNA. As a result, it is not only suitable for mission-driven entrepreneurs or start-ups but also for family businesses and as an alternative approach to business succession.

Steward-ownership fundamentally challenges what a company is, whom it serves, and why it exists. As more companies adopt steward-ownership, support and funds for these businesses becomes increasingly important.

As a field-builder, Steward-owned vzw/asbl makes this new form of ownership accessible to all. Through research and knowledge-sharing, we lower barriers and strengthen the ecosystem for the Steward-ownership community.

First editions of this workshop was fully booked and well appreciated. That’s why we organize second editions on February 9 (14:00 - 17:00). We will focus on the various legal aspects of steward-ownership:
FOR lawyers, tax advisors, accountants, and notaries

In this workshop, we will explore both the core principles and the key legal (and tax) considerations relevant to establishing or transitioning to a steward-ownership structure.

• Using real-world examples, we will dive deeper into the two key principles of steward-ownership from a legal perspective (Perpetual Independence and Profit Serves Mission) and explore the different models available.

• How steward-ownership principles can be incorporated into legal documents such as company statutes and shareholder agreements.

• Insights into the Golden Share model with veto rights. For example, the main task of the Belgian Golden Share Foundation is solely to ensure the legally binding principles of steward-ownership. This ensures that the company cannot be turned into a speculative asset, and its resources cannot be diverted.

• Best practices and case studies from Belgium, Germany, and beyond.

• Identifying the tax and practical implications of transitioning to steward-ownership

After this workshop, every participant will be able to apply the principles of steward-ownership, provide legal advice, and recognize which companies would truly benefit from this structure.

February 9 @ Commons Hub - Brussels (second floor)

>> Workshop in English – limited spots available.

More and more entrepreneurs passing on their companies are looking for solutions that ensure their life’s work can remain independent, mission-driven, and resilient in the long term. 
Across the world, more entrepreneurs are exploring a third way — Steward-ownership — which offers a realistic alternative to the two traditional paths: 

1. Transfer within the family – often ideal, but not always possible or desirable. 

2. Sale to an external party – sometimes lucrative, but often at the cost of a company’s identity, values, and independence. 

Steward-ownership provides an alternative third way to transfer ownership to people deeply connected to the enterprise, without losing the essence of what the company stands for. It’s a fast-growing ownership model that is gaining traction worldwide. 

Curious how this works?
During the ‘Week van de bedrijfsoverdracht’ / ‘Semaine de la Transmission d'entreprise’, we’re offering on 21/11 short online 1-on-1 introductory sessions to explore together whether this model of succession might be right for you.

Family Business 2.0

Alongside major companies such as Patagonia, Bosch, Carlsberg, De Efteling, Signal, Novo Nordisk, and Lego, we see a strong rise in succession via Steward-ownership in the Netherlands and especially in Germany. 
There, it’s often referred to as ‘Family Business 2.0’, because – just like in a traditional family SME – the focus is on long-term stewardship, values, and independence. 
It sounds like an ideal way to pass on your legacy. 

Two Core Principles 

The term Steward-ownership is now widely used across the world and is based on two key principles: 

[1] Self-determination
A steward-owned company cannot become an object of speculation; it remains independent in the long term. Control always stays in the hands of people connected to the company and its mission. 
Moreover, control over the company cannot be inherited, bought, or sold in any form. 
The steering rights of the company – its existential voting rights – are held and passed on in trust to competent and committed people: the steward-owners. 

[2] Mission-orientation
Profit as a means, not an end in itself. In a steward-owned company, profits serve the mission and the company’s long-term development. They are not a goal in themselves. 
The value created within the company cannot be endlessly privatized for personal gain. 
The stewards who control the company therefore have no private access to its assets or equity value. 
Of course, fair and risk-adequate compensation for contributions of capital or effort remains possible. 

Steward-owned companies are therefore no longer commodities. They eliminate Shareholder Primacy, chart an independent course, and operate with a focus on mission and long-term impact. 

From Bloodline to Commitment 

Where companies once automatically passed from parent to child, family succession today is no longer self-evident. 
The younger generation increasingly follows its own path, while acquisitions by private equity or large competitors can endanger a company’s continuity and culture. 
As a result, family businesses are slowly disappearing from our economic landscape. 

If your company faces such a situation, it’s worth exploring what Steward-ownership can offer. 
It can also provide practical answers to common succession challenges. 
For example, a Steward-ownership transfer can still allow the current owners to realize a financial exit — reflected in fair compensation derived from reserves, future cash flows, or new financing by the company itself, without compromising the company’s operational freedom. 

 The Future of Family Businesses? 

As the “silver wave” of entrepreneurs moves toward retirement, the need for sustainable succession models is greater than ever. 

Leaving a Legacy 

Unlike traditional corporate structures — where power and financial interest go hand in hand — Steward-ownership breaks the cycle of short-termism. 
It empowers leaders to act from a sense of responsibility and commitment, rather than shareholder pressure. 
This model opens the door to a new generation of successors: employees, partners, or network members who truly understand and wish to carry forward the company’s mission and culture. 

Triggered by Steward-ownership?
During the ‘Week van de bedrijfsoverdracht’ / ‘Semaine de la Transmission d'entreprise’, we’re offering on 21/11 short online 1-on-1 introductory sessions to explore together whether this model of succession might be right for you.

On October 9th, changemakers from around the world will gather to explore, deepen, and celebrate steward-ownership.
Steward-owned, together with Sociale InnovatieFabriek, is organizing this trip starting October 8th to Berlin.

The global steward-ownership community is coming together at the iconic Radialsystem, right at the spot where the wall between East and West Berlin once stood, where capitalism and communism once collided.
Here you can find more information about the international congress.

Our goal this year is to bring as many Belgians as possible to Berlin. It will be inspirational and full of great encounters.

What we are facilitating for you:

• A collective train journey to Berlin >> FULLY BOOKED, but we can give share the numbers for places around

• On 8/10 we are organizing a pre-dinner and thematic warm-up (the SO concept in a Belgian context)

• On the evening of October 8 we are hosting an informal drink

• Two diverse accommodation options, pre-screened and close to the congress venue (To be booked by yourself)

• And much more: Belgian Signal group, curated congress program, active matchmaking between you and other congress participants … we have insights :)
  

  …

• Congress tickets need to be booked directly >> https://so-events.org/

  
  

Interested in joining the 2025 Edition??

Interested? Let us know!

Straight to the epicenter of steward-ownership…
(And maybe turn it into a weekend getaway. Up to you!)

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email.

Throwback

Here’s a look back at SO23, in sunny Berlin.

As more companies adopt Steward-ownership, this model will become increasingly relevant for impact investors. This is logical, as steward-owned businesses, like other companies, need capital to grow and fulfill their mission.

However, traditional equity financing often contradicts Steward-ownership principles, compromising independence and a mission-centered focus. Steward-owned companies require financing instruments that enable self-determination and uphold the company’s purpose indefinitely. This is precisely why it seems to attract many Impact Investors.

For all types of financiers.

From business angels to institutional investors.
From pre-seed to seed or series.
From equity to loans or SAFEs.
And certainly for every impact investor.

14:00 - 17:00

On June 19, we will focus on the various aspects of Steward-Owned-Aligned Finance (SOAF):

• A deep understanding of the two principles from an investor perspective: (1) Perpetual independence and (2) Profit serves mission.

• A better grasp of valuation, capped returns, cash flow waterfall, structured redemption, and how risk adequacy can be balanced with the question, ‘How much is enough?’.

• How investor interests are protected: the use of milestones, golden share guarantees, information rights, consultancy rights in case of red flags, etc.

• Archetypes, best practices, and use cases from Belgium, Germany, and beyond.

• Guidance on where to find information and templates.

• Roundtable – different investor perspectives.

Steward-ownership fundamentally challenges what a company is, whom it serves, and why it exists.

As a field-builder, Steward-owned vzw/asbl makes this new form of ownership accessible to all. Through research and knowledge-sharing, we lower barriers and strengthen the ecosystem for the Steward-ownership community.

@ Commons Hub - Brussels (first floor)

(Workshop in English – limited spots available)

The legal embedding of steward-ownership principles - for lawyers, tax advisors, accountants, and notaries

Steward-ownership is an interesting option for companies looking to safeguard their purpose and mission through their legal DNA. As a result, it is not only suitable for mission-driven entrepreneurs or start-ups but also for family businesses and as an alternative approach to business succession.

As more companies adopt steward-ownership, support for these businesses becomes increasingly important. Steward-ownership is a legal ownership structure that can be implemented within the existing framework of Belgian corporate law. However, this concept challenges – besides entrepreneurs - lawyers, tax advisors, accountants, and notaries to let go of certain conventional assumptions and embrace new paradigms.

In this workshop, we will explore both the core principles and the key legal (and tax) considerations relevant to establishing or transitioning to a steward-ownership structure.

The principles of steward-ownership are not new; they have been applied for decades by businesses large and small across various sectors worldwide. In recent years, however, steward-ownership has been gaining significant momentum—particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. Now, Belgium is also experiencing this growing interest.

14:00 - 17:00

On June 16, we will focus on the various legal aspects of steward-ownership:

• Using real-world examples, we will dive deeper into the two key principles of steward-ownership from a legal perspective (Perpetual Independence and Profit Serves Mission) and explore the different models available.

• How steward-ownership principles can be incorporated into legal documents such as company statutes and shareholder agreements.

• Insights into the Golden Share model with veto rights. For example, the main task of the Belgian Golden Share Foundation is solely to ensure the legally binding principles of steward-ownership. This ensures that the company cannot be turned into a speculative asset, and its resources cannot be diverted.

• Best practices and case studies from Belgium, Germany, and beyond.

• Identifying the tax and practical implications of transitioning to steward-ownership

After this workshop, every participant will be able to apply the principles of steward-ownership, provide legal advice, and recognize which companies would truly benefit from this structure.

Steward-ownership fundamentally challenges what a company is, whom it serves, and why it exists.

As a field-builder, Steward-owned vzw/asbl makes this new form of ownership accessible to all. Through research and knowledge-sharing, we lower barriers and strengthen the ecosystem for the Steward-ownership community.

16/6 @ Commons Hub - Brussels (first floor)

(Workshop in English – limited spots available)

The 8th of May 2025, Belgian changemakers will gather at La Tricoterie to explore, deepen, and celebrate the rise of steward-ownership.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, academic, or simply curious, this event is for you. We bring together the community and inspiring speakers around the theme of "Steward-Ownership."

Join this gobal community!

Program (ENG)
(limited spots available)

13:45 – Welcome
14:15 – Start of the program (with break)

• Myth-busting Steward-Ownership

• The journey of eXo, a Belgian pioneer

• Perspective on this global movement: from 19th-century firms to the impact economy

• The conscious choice for SO at scale-up WILDPLASTIC (international lighthouse case)

• A panel discussion on SOAF - steward-owned-aligned-finance

• How bright is the future of this concept?

With speakers including Achim Hensen (Purpose Economy, Germany), Astrid Leyssens (WeAreImpactCollective), Peter Depauw (Steward-Owned), Lisette Schuitemaker (The Netherlands), Rhea Verbeke (eXo) , Christian Sigmund (CEO Wildplastic, Germany).

Together, we will explore how businesses can become prototypes for the world we want to live in.

17:00 – Conversations & Matchmaking

This event is a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge of steward-ownership and further develop it with other stakeholders.

After the talks, we’ll make the most of our network by exchanging experiences and expertise. You’ll have the chance to engage in three curated 10-minute conversations with people who can help tackle your challenges.

Want to be sure of the right match? Using the Conversation Starter app, you can pre-select attendees you'd like to meet or let our matchmaking skills surprise you. The app also features experts in finance, entrepreneurship, and legal matters, in addition to other participants. Don’t miss the chance to connect with the right people!

17:00 – 19:00 – Networking Drink

Raise a glass with us! On this day, we celebrate the launch of the new non-profit Steward-Owned: a guiding organization for anyone looking to explore steward-ownership and embed its two core principles—self-governance and profit serving mission—into their DNA.

As a field-builder, we make this new form of ownership accessible to all. Through research and knowledge-sharing, we lower barriers and strengthen the ecosystem.

See you on May 8!

This event comes about with the support of ambassador partners such as The Shift, Be-Impact, Sociale InnovatieFabriek, Impact Advocaten, We Are Impact Collective, Trividend, Omvorm, Long Term Society, Mace-legal, Aurion, Purpose Economy, Ashoka Belgium, S&L Strategies and Leaders, Corporate ReGeneration, B-Lab Benelux.