Incorporate your co-op today

Incorporation is an important, but sometimes challenging, step in setting up a co-operative. Government forms are tedious. And the unfamiliar process can cost you time or serious lawyer fees. So, make it easy on yourself. Let us do this step for you.

With our unique process, incorporate your co-op in less time, with less hassle and for less money. In fact, we can usually incorporate a co-op for as low as $400 – a price that simply covers government fees and a small admin charge. That’s it. No hourly rates. No headaches.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Complete a short survey. This step initiates the process, and provides important information for incorporating your co-op properly.
  2. You get email confirmation of receipt.
  3. Next, we set up a kick-off phone call.
  4. An experienced professional works on your incorporation documents.
  5. Within 2 weeks we review the incorporating documents with you before they’re submitted.
  6. Finally, we notify you when the incorporation is complete – the timeline for this depends a bit on the province you incorporate in but could take 2-6 weeks.

You focus on your business. Let us take care of the paperwork.

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Testimonials

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!” – Ravi Patel, Ananda Cooperative
 
“The 8 Directions team is extremely passionate about our mission of empowering Indigenous Peoples through land-based activities and social enterprise. The prospect of starting from scratch, incorporating a non-profit would have been a daunting task had it not been for the expert advice received from Kyle White and Trista Pewapisconias of Co-operatives First. They listened to us and understood our values, helping to identify the best corporate structure for us. The incorporation process was smooth given easy templates to fill in, phone interviews for clarification, virtual workshops, and an immense wealth of support materials through the Co-op Creator Tool. Our corporate documents were done in very short order enabling us to incorporate and start building our organization. We are very grateful for all the continued support from Co-operatives First.” – Scott Scholefield MSc, RPF, 8 Directions Community Services Co-operative

PLEASE NOTE: We work in the Canada’s western provinces. So, currently, we only incorporate co-operative businesses in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. We can also incorporate co-ops federally in these provinces.

Plus, check out this short video on what incorporation is, the benefits, and why you might choose to incorporate.

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block