Grow your business through collaboration
By working together businesses can reduce costs, share risks and create new platforms for growth. Consortium co-operatives run on a shared and equal way by, and for the benefit of, their members. Members can be businesses, partnerships or individuals.
What are the benefits?
By helping businesses 'scale up', consortium co-operatives can create new platforms for growth. Member businesses can retain their own brands, independence and control, while reducing costs or sharing the risks of tackling new markets or investing in new processes.
How are they used?
The co-operative could be for any purpose that supports its members. They are formed for various reasons and can help businesses to:
- Buy, sell or market on behalf of members
- Bid jointly for contracts
- Share facilities, such as back-offices or premises
- Promote ownership to apply for and manage funds or to undertake strategic industry or sector development where a sound democratic structure is needed
Often they are tax-exempt and running costs are met by retaining a small percentage of the value of members’ trade, so members contribute in proportion with usage.
The model works well in any industry where businesses can benefit by pooling resources and buying power. We work with all industries but we've identified six sectors that we work most often with
How can we help?
We provide specialist advice to businesses from all sectors to support the successful creation of new consortia and further development of existing co-operative groups.
Our advisers can work with you to:
- Explore and assess opportunities
- Develop shared objectives
- Establish memorandum and members' agreements
- Assist your ongoing development
- Structure the company
- Finance the business
- Develop member participation
Success stories
Our case studies provide an insight into how CDS can help develop your business
Guide to the consortium co-operative model (PDF, 538kB)
To find out how we can help you, contact us
Collaboration Prize
Are you considering collaboration? Pitch an idea for a new consortium co-operative for the chance of winning £5,000 and up to 10 days of consultancy support to scope out the initial concept idea.
More about our Collaboration Prize