What is a Co-op?

A cooperative, or co-op, is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

Co-Op in Advanced Manufacturing

New technologies combined with innovative business models offer minority manufacturers various opportunities to enhance their value proposition

Innovation in advanced and digital technologies continues to transform manufacturing business models, processes and services which impacts every aspect of the manufacturing business, from design, research and development, production, supply chain and logistics management through to sales, marketing and operations.

Benefits

• Expertise in the specific manufacturing subsectors
• Space, industry specific business support services, and peer support to small emerging firms
• Shared administrative and back office support to small emerging firms
• Business to Business opportunities with large manufacturing firms
• Capital to small emerging firms in order to help them scale and expand manufacturing operations
• Access to bleeding/leading edge advanced manufacturing technologies
• Research and development support for both small firms and large firms
• Specialized industry specific training and workforce development; both technical and business

Members

• Minority Manufacturers
• Medium/Large Corporations
• Education Institutions
• Economic Development Organizations
• Workforce Development Organizations
• Community Development Organizations
• Investment Organizations – Venture, Banks
• Philanthropy
• Government – Federal, State, Local
• Technology Development Organizations
• Manufacturing Organizations – Business/Trade Groups