pltc:platform_co-ops

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pltc:platform_co-ops [2025/12/17 04:30] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1pltc:platform_co-ops [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Platform co-ops+This topic is part of [[gt:digital|Digital & media]] and [[gt:economy|Economy & finance]]. 
 +====== Platform co-ops ======
  
  
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-## What are platform co-ops?+===== What are platform co-ops? =====
  
 They’re online marketplaces that are owned and controlled by their members, and are formalised into [co-operatives](/coop/co-operatives). Often the members / owners are workers, but some are multi-stakeholder platforms involving both workers and users. There can be different tiers of membership. Workers and users can have different rights in terms of governance or profit-sharing, but because both groups contribute to the value of the platform, both can be acknowledged as members / owners. It can be good for workers to have customers that are part-owners, as it encourages them to use the platform more. They’re online marketplaces that are owned and controlled by their members, and are formalised into [co-operatives](/coop/co-operatives). Often the members / owners are workers, but some are multi-stakeholder platforms involving both workers and users. There can be different tiers of membership. Workers and users can have different rights in terms of governance or profit-sharing, but because both groups contribute to the value of the platform, both can be acknowledged as members / owners. It can be good for workers to have customers that are part-owners, as it encourages them to use the platform more.
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### History+==== History ====
  
 In the 90s, we didn’t have the giant platforms we have today. Now, 7 of the top 10 companies in the world are platform companies like Amazon, Facebook and Über. The idea that platforms are the place to go to get the things we need has grown exponentially. In the 90s, we didn’t have the giant platforms we have today. Now, 7 of the top 10 companies in the world are platform companies like Amazon, Facebook and Über. The idea that platforms are the place to go to get the things we need has grown exponentially.
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-## What are the benefits of platform co-ops?+===== What are the benefits of platform co-ops? =====
  
 They’re not extractive. Corporate platforms concentrate wealth in the hands of a tiny minority, by taking a portion of the work of millions of people, sucking it out of communities and concentrating it. By encasing them in the co-operative model, this extraction is prevented. They’re not extractive. Corporate platforms concentrate wealth in the hands of a tiny minority, by taking a portion of the work of millions of people, sucking it out of communities and concentrating it. By encasing them in the co-operative model, this extraction is prevented.
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
-### Use them+==== Use them ====
  
 Use platform co-ops rather than extractive platforms where possible. However, by 2018, there were no platform co-ops operating in the UK. This could change soon, as the [Equal Care Co-op](https://www.equalcare.coop/) will be launching, doing social care through a platform co-op. There are several in other countries, including in the US and Europe. Use platform co-ops rather than extractive platforms where possible. However, by 2018, there were no platform co-ops operating in the UK. This could change soon, as the [Equal Care Co-op](https://www.equalcare.coop/) will be launching, doing social care through a platform co-op. There are several in other countries, including in the US and Europe.
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 {{ (https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/austin3.png }} {{ (https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/austin3.png }}
  
-### Set one up+==== Set one up ====
  
 It’s getting easier to challenge the big boys. The Platform Co-operative Consortium has developed a [platform co-op development kit](https://github.com/platform-coop-toolkit). Über has spent perhaps hundreds of millions on tech, but now you can get a similar package for a tiny fraction of the price. It’s getting easier to challenge the big boys. The Platform Co-operative Consortium has developed a [platform co-op development kit](https://github.com/platform-coop-toolkit). Über has spent perhaps hundreds of millions on tech, but now you can get a similar package for a tiny fraction of the price.
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-## Further resources+===== Forum =====
  
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:digital|Digital & media]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/digital).
  
 +It is also in the section [[gt:economy|Economy & finance]] (Forum: [Economy & finance](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/economy)).
  
-## Specialist curators of this topic+===== Further resources ===== 
 + 
 +- [Internet of Ownership](https://ioo.coop/) - portal: tools for the platform co-operative ecosystem 
 +- [Platform Cooperativism Consortium](https://platform.coop/) 
 +- [Unfound](https://www.uk.coop/start-new-co-op/support/start-platform-co-op) - start a platform co-op 
 +- [Shareable](https://www.shareable.net/a-shareable-explainer-what-is-a-platform-co-op/) - what is a platform co-op? 
 +- [Trebor Scholz](https://medium.com/@trebors/platform-cooperativism-vs-the-sharing-economy-2ea737f1b5ad) -j platform co-ops vs the sharing economy 
 +- [Co-operatives UK](https://www.uk.coop/start-new-co-op/support/start-platform-co-op/why-platform-co-ops) - why platform co-ops?  
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [[liit:it|Low-impact IT]] 
 +- [[mucr:Mutual credit]] 
 +- [[foss:open source|Free & open source software]] 
 +- [[coop:Co-operatives]] 
 +- [[self:Self-employment]] 
 +- [[comg:Commoning]] 
 +- [[coec:Commons economy]] 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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