Platform CooperativismBuilding the Cooperative Internet NYC 11-13 November 2016

Platform Cooperativism in Australia: An Emerging Ecosystem

Darren SharpDirector, Social Surplus darren@socialsurplus.com.au M: +61 419 314 655 T: @dasharp

Darren Sharp

Director

Australian Editor

PhD Candidate

Australian history… • Longest continuous

human civilization on

Earth (>50,000 years);

• Colonial settler economy,

“the lucky country” -

rich in natural resources;

• Strong egalitarian

tradition, welfare state

and labour movement.

Australia in transition…

• Declining agricultural, mining

and manufacturing base;

• Housing unaffordability, inequality,

intergenerational wealth gap, the

climate crisis, real wages in decline;

• Rise of precarious independent

contractors and casual labour.

Australian Co-operatives & Mutuals

Australia’s Leading Co-operative and Mutual Enterprises in 2016

Centre for Entrepreneurial Management and Innovation

Australian Co-operatives Ecosystem

Advocacy, stewardship, events, knowledge, advice &

support for the local co-ops and mutuals sector...

Commons Transition Coalition

“Aims to connect leaders of groups, organisations and enterprises that

support commons-based initiatives to amplify our work, support our

endeavours and build capacity for the transition to a just and environmentally

sustainable Commons Economy.”

• Founded in Melbourne, Australia December 2015;

• Over 130 members in the network;

• Convened events with Nathan Schneider and

Michel Bauwens in 2016;

• Founding Member of PC Consortium;

• Published City as Commons: A Policy Reader,

ed. Jose Ramos - http://bit.ly/CityAsCommons

Australian Platform Co-op Events

• CTC event with Nathan Schneider;

• Panel of local exemplars;

• Design Lab with social

enterprise AbilityMate;

• Read the event report -

http://bit.ly/SchneiderMelbourne

Australian Platform Co-op Events

Nathan Schneider and Janelle Orsi event in Melbourne

http://socialenterprise.com.au/projects/platform-cooperativism/

AbilityMate: 3D printed assistive devices for people with disabilities using open design

We Are An Open-Source Community Inventing Products For An Inclusive Society.

We believe every person with a disability should have access to the assistive

devices they need. That is why are creating open-source designs for the most-

needed assistive devices. Once designed we setup hubs where these designs can

be customised and 3D printed in your local area.

http://www.abilitymate.com

bHive: the first platform co-op in Australia

http://www.bhive.coop/

AnyShare: a sharing platform co-op

• AnyShare is the the first business ever in the United States to

• share voting and profits with all stakeholder groups and also the

first internet company in the world to it.

• A FairShares Multi-Stakeholder Co-operative.

• Co-founder Eric Doriean based in Australia.

https://anyshare.coop/

Geddup: a community-action platform• Founder is exploring how to convert Geddup to a platform

co-operative. Part of this is seeking to understand how co-ops

can raise scale-up funding.

• Objective is to create a funding structure that is both attractive

to non-member investors for investing startup capital in a

platform coop; and,

• Enables scale benefits to be shared with members of the co-op

rather than being channeled solely into equity investor returns.

https://geddup.com/

Open Food Network

A non-profit, social enterprise founded in Melbourne

building free software for better food systems.

https://openfoodnetwork.org

YLab is a social enterprise for young people

http://ylab.global/

Imagined by Foundation for Young Australians

enkel co-operative

• A Perth-based startup still in the business model-finding

phase, but with a pretty large community of 55 members.

• The content on their platform now is skillsharing and learning.

https://www.enkel.co/

Platform Cooperativism in Australia: Future Prospects Create more democratic ownership and governance of:

• Social Enterprise (alternative to the VC model);

• Responsible Sharing Startups (Sharing Cities, utilities);

• AgTech (especially food distribution);

• FinTech (community banks + blockchain);

• P2P Energy (community solar, exchange surplus);

• Regional entrepreneurship and innovation (livelihoods).

Darren Sharpdarren@socialsurplus.com.au+61 419 314 655@dasharpwww.socialsurplus.com.au

Thank You!

Amplifying the strengths of people and communities

Image Creditshttps://urban.melbourne/forum/sculptures-and-monuments-go-walkabout

http://theconversation.com/australias-handout-addicted-car-industry-needs-some-tough-love-4907

https://www.flickr.com/photos/iancochrane_2011/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ginger_ninja/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:8hoursday_banner_1856.jpg

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/sep/21/indigenous-australians-most-ancient-civilisation-on-earth-dna-study-confirms

http://www.visitvictoria.com/-/media/images/melbourne/destinations/hosier-lane_mel_u_1150x863.jpg?

https://www.yha.com.au/uploadedImages/Content/en/Traveller_Stories/_Stories_/Melbourne%20Skyline-Shutterstock.jpg

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/7211460-3x2-700x467.jpg