EO Through Acquisitions: Rethinking Pathways to Increasing Shared Prosperity Through Employee Ownership

Despite strong evidence of its benefits, employee ownership remains relatively untapped in the private markets. This session will cover how the buyout and search fund markets can be engaged to create more employee-owned companies. We will explore how private investors, independent sponsors, and search fund entrepreneurs can play a pivotal role in transforming ownership models.

The session will bring together equity investors whose acquisition models involve employee ownership, including ESOPs and employee ownership trusts (EOTs). Panelists will share real-world transaction examples, detailing how they sourced opportunities where employee ownership aligned with financial returns and mission-driven outcomes. The discussion will unpack structuring strategies, financing mechanisms, and governance considerations.

EO Through Acquisitions will challenge advisors, business owners, executive managers, and investors to think differently about how a company can become employee owned—and inspire them to see buyouts and search funds as a new path to increasing shared prosperity through employee ownership.

NCEO Publication: Acquisition Strategies for ESOP Companies