2025 Repaired Nations’ Seed Commons Funding Germinator

Selecting 3- 6 cooperatives / collectives for a 17 week funding germinator program to get you investment ready for the Seed Commons Revolving Loan Fund. We’ll work with you to understand & complete a Business Model Canvas; Actual & Projected Pro Forma; Break Even Analysis; Investment Plan. We will work towards helping you receive a non-extractive investment of up to $60,000.

  • Required

    • Existing cooperative or collective operating in or around East Oakland

    • California Cooperative Corporation, LLC operating cooperatively, or democratically controlled non-profit with a defined business project

    • 3 members or candidate members

  • Desired

    • Existing Bookkeeping Infrastructure

    • 2-3 years of financials

    • Has Bylaws and Operating Procedures

Seed Commons is a national network of locally-rooted, non-extractive loan funds that brings the power of big finance under community control. By taking guidance from the grassroots and sharing capital and resources to support local cooperative businesses, we are building the infrastructure necessary for a truly just, democratic and sustainable new economy. Learn more on their site.

Learn About Seed Commons’ Non-Extractive Finance

Flow of the 2025 Germinator

The 2024 Germinator Program will accompany 3-6 cooperatives / collectives through the key components needed to submit a request for Seed Commons support through Repaired Nations.

Participants will meet one hour weekly as a group; send one or more reps to a one hour weekly work session for support from the Project Steward; and spend a few hours weekly on assignments.

  • During Week One, Repaired Nations will overview the Germinator & how Seed Commons Investment Works. We will set expectations & Community Agreements as well as do a bit of relationship building amongst the participants. We will end by ensuring all participants book recurring weekly support sessions with the Project Steward.

  • Week 2: Business Model Canvas = Value Propositions, Customer Segments, Customer Relationships

    Week 3: Business Model Canvas = Channels, Key Activities, Key Relationships

    Week 4: Business Model Canvas = Key Partners, Cost Structure, Revenue

    Week 5 (May 18-24): Catch up / Break

  • Week 6: Actual Pro Forma / Income & Expenses

    Week 7: Projected Pro Forma / Income & Expenses

    Week 8: Pro Forma Finalization & Break Even Analysis Introduction

    Week 9: Juneteenth Break June 15 - 21

  • Week 8: Pro Forma Finalization & Break Even Analysis Introduction

    Week 9: Juneteenth Break June 15 - 21

    Week 10: Break Even Analysis Costs of Goods Sold

    Week 11: Fourth of July Break June 30 - July 5

    Week 12: Break Even Pro Forma

    Week 13: Break Even Analysis Finalization

  • Week 14 : Investment Plan & Seed Commons Proposal pt 1: Principles & BMC Sections

    Week 15:Investment Plan & Seed Commons Proposal pt 2: Assumption Sections

    Week 16: Investment Plan & Seed Commons Proposal pt 3: Overview & Assumption Sections

  • Week 17 (Aug10-16): Program Wrap Up = Celebration, Share Outs, Survey & Next Steps