We build enduring employee-owned companies
We buy Canadian businesses from retiring owners, transition them to employee ownership, and keep them in their communities.
Businesses
Businesses receive long-term stewardship and big company resources.
Owners
Owners get fair market value in a reliable & efficient transaction.
Employees
Employees get rewarded with equity in the company they helped build.
What owners are saying
"People say to us 'our people go home at the end of the shift, your people go home when the job is finished.' If you want to run a company, you need employees engaged and acting as owners."
Industrial Automation
Business Owner
"On a philosophical level, I want to share my life. I want to look back and think about how much good we've done for our people, for our community, for the world. That's a good life."
Health Services
Business Owner
"People are the most important piece of our puzzle. It’s very important that our employees have ownership and see a return on their effort."
Business Services
Business Owner
"We have other offers but we want to find a way to sell to you because you’ll take care of our people."
Architectural Services
Business Owner
"We looked into selling to our employees but they couldn't come up with the money to buy me and my partner out."
Light Manufacturing
Business Owner
How it works
CommonShares enables owners to transition their businesses at a fair price while rewarding employees and securing their legacy as a community builder.
01
Acquire great
businesses
We purchase up to 100% of the company at a fair price. As the sole buyer, we operate independently, without needing external transaction approval - ensuring a smoother, faster process.
02
Solve for
succession
We hire or promote talented succession leadership and support them with transition plans, operating processes, training, technology, advisors, and a peer network.
03
Transition to
employee ownership
Employees receive 10% of the company's equity on Day 1. We transition to majority employee ownership over 20 years. Ownership is earned through service, with no purchase required from the employees.
What we look for in businesses
Retiring owner(s)
Owner(s) is/are retiring and leaving the industry.
An owner transition period
The owner commits to a transition period between 6 to 12 months, depending on the needs of the business.
Experienced supervisors
The business has at least two senior employees or supervisors aiding the owner in daily operations.
Consistent profitability
We aim for businesses with EBITDA between $1M and $6M for at least four of the past five years.
A simple structure
We prefer businesses with a single retiring owner, but we are open to companies with multiple owners.
Located in Canada
We are proudly Canadian and focused on businesses headquartered in Canada.
Thank you
Thank you for reaching out to CommonShares. Your message has been submitted and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Email us
hello@commonshares.ca
Careers
Interested in leading a company?
Apply here.
More information
For more information, download our brochure.