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# Why co-ops?

Cooperatives are businesses in many sectors and in many sizes, but with one crucial difference: they are owned and democratically controlled by their members. That means people in the business, not external shareholders, set the direction and share the value.

CoTech co-ops are worker-owned cooperatives, meaning that the members are the workers. So the people delivering the projects co-own and control the business together.

Cooperatives around the world are values-based organisations, committed to the seven cooperative principles.

Learn more about the seven cooperative principles directly from Co-operatives UK.

Co-op values and principles

## Advantages of working with our co-ops

### Delivery over dividends

Decisions are made to deliver good projects, not to maximise shareholder profit.

### You work with the owners

The people delivering your project have a direct stake in the outcome, so quality and long-term fit matter.

### Budgets that go further

With fewer hierarchies, we can be transparent about costs and are able to design work around your budget.

### Ethical by design

We’re mission-led and worker-owned so your spend supports people, inherently delivering social value.

### Cutting edge, ethical tech

We have proven success with open-source and ethical tech. We’ll help you explore alternative options alongside mainstream tools.

### Long-term, user-centred relationships

We prioritise customer service and user needs, so you don’t just get a launch, you get people-centered support.

### Security and trust

We prioritise data security and responsible use of technology.

### Collaborative, low lock-in

We collaborate across co-ops, bringing in specialists for joint projects when you need them.

### UK-based network of SMEs

UK skills & communities with the responsiveness of small teams.

Hire our co-ops