SBA Rule Update Affirms Separate ESOP Valuation Not Required
The Small Business Administration (SBA) formally updated its rules for valuation in ESOP transactions, incorporating prior guidance that it no longer requires a separate SBA valuation.
In partnership with the Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX)
This page is for anyone who wants to learn more about employee ownership, especially if you want to explore whether employee ownership might be the right fit for your company or your clients.
You likely found this page as a link from our colleagues at the Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX). EOX can connect you with your state's employee ownership center to help get you in touch with nearby business owners and others with expertise in employee ownership. This page will give you the top resources we at the NCEO offer to answer your questions about employee ownership.
For a general overview, see our article How an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Works.
For a step-by-step guide to assessing an ESOP for your company, check out our ESOP Pre-Feasibility Toolkit.
Recommended books:
Selling to an ESOP and Financing the Deal
A detailed guide for owners, managers, and advisors of closely held businesses who are considering a sale to an ESOP.
This concise book explains the rules, uses, benefits, and other aspects of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
Join our EOT Peer Gatherings: Online meetings for companies that have or are considering an EOT. Participants share experiences, discuss challenges, and gain insights from different parts of the employee ownership community.
For an overview of how EOTs work, see our Introduction to EOTs.
Recommended book:
Using an Employee Ownership Trust for Business Transition
Learn how EOTs work, whether one is right for your company, and how they are created, financed, and governed.
See our overview of the types of equity compensation or a webinar on direct employee ownership.
Recommended books:
The Decision-Maker's Guide to Equity Compensation
How to find and implement an equity compensation strategy that works for your company.
Equity Compensation for Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
A guide to creating equity compensation arrangements for LLCs.
Who Should Own Your Business After You? is a brief introductory booklet designed for business owners who want to start exploring if employee ownership might be the right fit for them and their companies. Real business owners explain why and how business owners sold their business to their employees. It provides an overview of the five main forms of employee ownership in the United States: employee stock ownership plans or ESOPs, worker cooperatives, employee ownership trusts (EOTs), direct share ownership, and being acquired by a company that is already employee-owned. Readers will leave knowing what paths to explore and tools to learn more.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) formally updated its rules for valuation in ESOP transactions, incorporating prior guidance that it no longer requires a separate SBA valuation.
The NCEO Forum is known for its interactive workshops, but this year's peer networking sessions revealed something even bigger: when employee-owners and their supporters connect, ideas flow fast and ...
The International Comparative Labor Studies (ICLS) program at Morehouse College announced the Vision and Victory conference, taking place November 12–14 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The national ...
The second annual employee ownership trust (EOT) and perpetual purpose trust (PPT) workshop at the 2025 NCEO Forum in Philadelphia was an incredible gathering of the growing EOT and PPT community. I ...
Drew Mousetis is the executive director of the Tandem Center for Shared Business Success, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping businesses transition to direct employee ownership. In this ...
How to evaluate and select leaders who will strengthen your employee-owned organization.
Cannabis businesses face unique challenges—ESOPs offer a strategic solution for succession, employee retention, and tax efficiency.
Join us for a concise and impactful discussion on the transformative power of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).
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There’s no better way to learn about employee ownership than seeing it up close, and your in-state employee ownership exists to do exactly that.
We'd be glad to speak with you about your interest in employee ownership and recommend next steps, from in-person events to webinars, from our directory of professional service providers to talking with your peers in our networking groups.