Post by Steward-owned

Explaining Steward ownership in 1 minute? 🧐 That’s almost impossible for a #ParadigmShift of this size. But Peter gave it a try, as Steward-owned was selected as a laureate of #RadicaleVernieuwers2026 (Radical Innovators). And the idea is surprisingly simple. What if companies were built and run around two principles? 1️⃣ The first is Self-determination. ♾️ The existential control over a company is no longer for sale and cannot be inherited. Instead, it is passed on to people who are deeply connected to the mission—the steward-owners. They hold ultimate control over the company, safeguarding its continuity, independence, and purpose. 2️⃣ The second is Purpose orientation. 🧭 Profits can never be extracted indefinitely. They are used in service of the mission. Founders and investors can receive a fair—but limited—financial return. Profit serves purpose. Profit is a means, not an end in itself. And the best thing? These two principles are irreversibly embedded into the legal DNA of the company. So only two principles... Yet the impact is immense. Because when ownership is organized differently, everything changes: • Whose voice matters. • How success is defined. • Under which logic the most consequential decisions are made. Companies such as Patagonia, Bosch, Ecosia, Signal, The Guardian, and even Efteling have operated under Steward ownership structures for decades—or have adopted them more recently. Our economy is a system of power. Ownership is a system of power. If ownership determines the rules through which power and value are distributed, then systemic change ultimately means changing the logic of ownership itself. Oh, and don't forget to vote for your favorite Radicale Vernieuwer. There is also a public award. 👉 Link in the comments. #BecauseOwnershipMatters Jens Van Lathem Lara Alegria Mira Wim Floré Frédéric Madry

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