Steward-ownership ‘Tour of Belgium’ > for Startups & Ventures
One of the most powerful solutions for building a resilient and more sustainable economy lies in the ownership structures of our companies. That’s why Team Steward-owned is going on tour!
This Tour of Belgium is primarily aimed at startups and ventures looking for ways to strengthen and safeguard their mission for the long run.
Registrations are now open for at least 4 tour stops (Ghent, Brussels, Namur, Antwerp).
In this interactive workshop, we’ll together explore the possibilities of Steward-ownership:
What can go wrong with ‘ownership’ in companies? Some real-life examples
A deep dive into how the two principles (1 – Self-determination, 2 – Profit serves purpose) can be embedded in a company’s legal DNA
Reflections on key questions like “How much is enough?” and “Who are the best stewards for your company – now and in the future?”
Insights and developments in Steward-owned-aligned finance, with real case examples
Testimonials and exchange with entrepreneurs and pioneers on their path to Steward-ownership
Steward-ownership-ready: intermediate steps toward a full transition
Closing with an apéro drink!
Across the globe, more and more businesses are emerging with a strong mission focus, aiming to tackle societal challenges through their products and services. But staying true to that mission isn’t always easy—especially in critical moments when conflicting incentives arise. At such times, Steward-ownership offers the strongest protection against mission drift.
As Kate Raworth (Doughnut Economics) says:
“More than the design of specific products or services, what matters most is the deep design of the organisation itself.”
Thinking long term—that’s where Steward-ownership comes in.
It ensures that companies can stay purpose-first, even at pivotal moments. It breaks the traditional link between money and control by unbundling two key rights: voting rights and economic rights. A true paradigm shift.
The remarkable effects of Steward-ownership:
Mission always comes first – Profits serve the company’s purpose and can’t be endlessly extracted by shareholders
Protection against takeovers and speculative investors – Long-term independence and stability
Long-term decision-making – Supporting sustainable growth and responsible strategy
Stronger trust and resilience – Steward-owned companies enjoy greater customer trust, higher survival rates, and improved employee satisfaction and retention
Protection of sensitive assets – Ensures knowledge, technology, or data won’t end up in the wrong hands
While legal forms may vary, all steward-owned companies commit to two fundamental principles:
Self-determination – The company remains independent and can’t be sold for private gain
Profit serves purpose – Profits are reinvested in the mission, not extracted by shareholders
Today, the path toward steward-ownership still has its hurdles—but more pioneers are finding their way to embed purpose-driven governance. That’s why we’re organizing the Steward-ownership Tour of Belgium for Startups & Ventures.
It’s entirely free, but spots are limited—so don’t wait too long to register!
Confirmed dates & cities:
Brussels: October 16 – 15:30–18:00 (ENG) > Register here
Antwerp: November 6 – 15:30–18:00 (NL) > Register here
Ghent: November 27 – 15:30–18:00 (NL) > Register here
Namur: January 15 – 15:30–18:00 (FR) > Register here
(Exact locations will be communicated the end of august – all will be at co-working venues in the city centers)
Want the Tour of Belgium to come to your city too?>
Let us know!
Read more about what Steward-ownership can bring to the startup zoo:
“Whatever animal your business claims to be, Steward-ownership is one of the most convincing ways to back it up.”
