Considering Teaming Up on a Start-Up? Nice! Collaborating with like-minded partners is a great way to grow your own business or provide a much-needed service in your community.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to scale, run a home-based business interested in new markets, want to bring in a much-needed amenity to your community, or simply dream of doing something extraordinary, we’re here to help you get started. To learn the basics of the co-op model and whether it’s a good fit for you, take our free Introduction to Co-operatives course.

Introduction to Co-operatives

This free online training is a self-directed boot camp for collaborating entrepreneurs unfamiliar with the co-operative legal structure. Designed for those brave souls who admit they could use a little help organizing their new venture, the course is a guide for taking an idea from vague sketches on a whiteboard to investment readiness. It’s also a crash course on the co-operative model.

And the best part? It’s available in bite-sized, video-based pieces. Perfect for a lunch break or early-morning coffee — so it won’t slow you down or put you to sleep.

Get started by registering today! Simply submit your name and email below.


“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