Agenda

December 4th, 2024
101 Park Avenue | New York City

8:15AM – 9:00AM

Breakfast and Registration

9:00AM - 9:15AM

Welcome: The Key Themes of Ownership Economy Summit 2024

What are the major trends, secular and otherwise, that will generate wealth in the coming decade(s)? How will ownership intersect with these, and why is ownership critical?

  • Martin Smith, Founder, CommonShare; Co-Founder, the Ownership Economy

9:15AM - 10:00AM

Financing the Green Energy Transition with Equitable Ownership

The panel "Financing the Green Energy Transition with Equitable Ownership" aims to explore innovative strategies and practices that align decarbonization of the energy grid with broader goals of equitable ownership. Highlighting successful models, the panel will delve into how advanced technologies, structured finance, and public-private partnerships can drive sustainable energy solutions while creating economic opportunities in underserved communities. The discussion will also address the importance of consumer co-ownership in renewable energy (RE) projects, as emphasized by recent policy directives, and will showcase international examples of equitable energy models that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also foster community wealth and resilience. By examining case studies and policy frameworks from around the world, the panel will provide actionable insights on how to scale such initiatives, ensuring that the green energy transition benefits all stakeholders, particularly those historically marginalized.

  • Ida Rademacher, Vice President, Aspen Institute

  • Adam Silver, CEO and Founder, Plural Energy

  • Dr. Jens Lowitzch, Professor, European University Viadrina

  • Albert Wenger, Managing Partner, Union Square Ventures

10:00AM – 10:40AM

Putting Steward Ownership into Practice

The panel "Putting Steward Ownership into Practice" will focus on innovative ownership structures that align company governance with long-term mission and purpose. The discussion will cover how steward-ownership ensures that control remains with individuals committed to the company's goals, rather than being driven by profit maximization for shareholders. By examining case studies and legal frameworks from around the world, the panel will provide insights into how companies can maintain their values and independence while achieving financial sustainability. This model emphasizes reinvestment into the business, equitable profit distribution among stakeholders, and long-term orientation, making it a viable alternative for mission-driven enterprises looking to safeguard their purpose and legacy.

  • Moderator: Martin Smith, Partner and Co-Founder of The Ownership Economy

  • Gigi Danziger, Founder & Investor, Eutopia Holdings

  • Juho Makkonen, CEO, Sharetribe

  • Christian Kroll, CEO, Ecosia

10:45AM – 11:15AM

Networking Break

11:20AM - 12:10PM

Data Ownership, Compute Access, and AI: How to Build an Equitable Future 

The panel “Data Ownership, Compute Access and AI: How to Build an Equitable Future” will delve into the critical intersection of data ownership, the massive scaling and monopolization of data centers and compute resources, artificial intelligence, and equitable technological advancement. This discussion will explore how data and compute, key resources in the AI landscape, can be managed and utilized in ways that ensure fairness and inclusivity. Panelists will discuss frameworks for equitable data ownership, market-based approaches to broadening compute access, strategies for preventing bias in AI systems, and innovative approaches to democratizing access to AI models. By examining the roles of transparency, accountability, and inclusive practices, the panel aims to provide insights on how to build a future where AI benefits all segments of society. The discussion will bring together thought leaders and innovators to share their perspectives on creating a more equitable digital landscape.

  • Jahed Momand, Co-Founder, Ownership Economy; General Partner, Cerulean Ventures

  • David Pakman, Managing Director, CoinFund

  • Dr. Jaya Klare Brekke, Chief Strategy Officer, Nym 

  • Jarrod Barnes, Head of Founder Success, NEAR Foundation

12:10PM - 1:10PM 

Lunch & Networking

1:15PM – 2:05PM

Plenary: Housing, Impact Real Estate, and Ownership

The panel on Housing, Impact Real Estate, and Ownership will explore innovative legal mechanisms and technological applications designed to broaden access to property ownership and enhance tenant equity. Experts will discuss cutting-edge approaches such as blockchain-based property transactions, decentralized financing platforms, and new legal structures like community land trusts, cooperative ownership models, and tenant equity schemes. The session will highlight how these advancements can make homeownership more attainable for a wider array of citizens while empowering tenants with equity stakes in their residences. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the intersection of technology, law, and real estate, learning about practical solutions and policy innovations that drive greater inclusivity in property ownership and tenant equity.

  • Moderator: David Lidz, Founder & CEO, StreetWell

  • Catherine Toner, Managing Director, Impact Investing at Gary Community Ventures

  • Ed Briscoe, Managing Director, Weave Social Finance

  • Dr. Michael Barnes, Co-Founder and CEO, Viva 

2:05PM - 2:45PM 

Breakout Sessions

Breakout A: Early-Stage Investment in Ventures with Shared Ownership and Governance

The panel "Early Stage Investment in Ventures with Shared Ownership and Governance" will explore the unique opportunities and challenges associated with investing in startups that prioritize shared ownership and collaborative governance structures. This session will bring together experienced investors and thought leaders to discuss how these innovative models can drive sustainable growth and create value for all stakeholders. Topics will include strategies for identifying and supporting mission-driven founders, the benefits of equitable investment approaches, and best practices for structuring deals that align with the principles of shared ownership. The panel aims to provide actionable insights for investors looking to foster inclusive and resilient business ecosystems through their early-stage investments.

  • Yev Muchnik, Attorney 

  • Virginie Raphael, Founder and Managing Partner, Full Circle Fund

  • Matthew Homer, Managing Member, the Department of XYZ

Breakout B: State of the Field – Employee Ownership in the Digital Economy

Dr. Joseph Blasi, a renowned expert on employee ownership will lead a groundbreaking session on the state and distribution of employee ownership in technology companies. This unprecedented analysis will delve into the current landscape of employee ownership and assess whether it is sufficient to create significant distributional effects within the United States. The session will critically examine the impact of existing models of employee ownership and explore innovative policy proposals that could enhance the economic and social impact of employee ownership. Dr. Blasi's insights will provide a deeper understanding of the potential for employee ownership to address economic inequality and empower workers in the rapidly evolving technology sector. Blasi is Director of the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing and Beyster Professor of Employee Ownership at Rutgers. He formerly served full-time as a advisor to the US Treasury Department in the Biden Administration on employee share ownership.

  • Dr. Joseph Blasi, J. Robert Beyster Distinguished Professor and Director of the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at the School of Management and Labor Relations at Rutgers University

2:50PM – 3:30PM

2:50PM – 3:30PM

Workshops & Breakout Sessions 

Fireside Chat: Blockchain & AI in International Development: Evidence from the Field

Blockchain and AI are emerging as transformative tools in international development, offering new pathways to address global challenges while enhancing evidence-based impact investments. These technologies enable more transparent, efficient, and scalable solutions in areas such as financial inclusion, humanitarian aid, and infrastructure development. Key trends point to the growing use of AI for data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics, improving the targeting and effectiveness of interventions. Blockchain’s ability to provide secure, traceable, and verifiable transactions addresses accountability and transparency challenges, making it a powerful tool for investors seeking measurable impact. Together, these innovations are shaping a future where development outcomes are more reliable, investments are more accountable, and global collaboration is more efficient.

  • Marc Vanlerberghe, CMO, Algorand Foundation

  • Lindsey Moore, CEO, DevelopMetrics 

  • Dr. Alan Ransil, Co-Founder & CEO, Devonian Systems

Workshop: “How To” Session - How to Launch a Shared Ownership Venture On-Chain: Real World Assets and Broad Economic Participation

This workshop will delve into the innovative intersection of blockchain technology and shared ownership ventures, focusing on how to leverage on-chain mechanisms to democratize access to real-world assets and foster broad economic participation. Participants will gain hands-on insights and strategies on structuring on-chain shared ownership models, ensuring transparency, and maximizing the benefits of decentralization. The workshop will include practical knowledge from real-world examples, guiding attendees on how to overcome the challenges associated with integrating blockchain technology into shared ownership frameworks, ultimately driving more inclusive and equitable economic opportunities.

  • Adam Silver, CEO and Founder, Plural Energy

3:30PM - 4:00PM 

Networking Break

4:00PM – 4:40PM

Breakout Sessions 

Breakout A: Unlocking Growth: Private Equity Investment in Shared Ownership Ventures – Best Practices and Optimization Strategies

This session will explore the intricacies of leveraging private equity to support businesses that embrace shared ownership models. This discussion will highlight the best practices for structuring investments that align with the principles of shared ownership, ensuring that both investors and stakeholders benefit equitably. Panelists will share key learnings from their experiences in this space, exploring how to optimize investment strategies to foster sustainable growth and long-term value creation. Topics will include effective governance structures, aligning incentives among stakeholders, and innovative approaches to scaling businesses while maintaining their commitment to shared ownership. This session aims to provide valuable insights for private equity investors seeking to optimize their impact and returns in the growing field of equitable business models.

  • Robin Wood Sailer, Venture Partner, Helena Capital; Co-Founder, Le Labs

  • Steve Buchanan, Founder and Managing Partner, Mosaic Capital 

Breakout B: Collaborative Innovation: How Incentives, Technology, Legal, and Governance Enable Competitors to Collaborate

Collaborative innovation among competitors requires carefully crafted institutional frameworks that balance incentives, technology, legal considerations, and governance models. These models are hard to achieve but critical if we are to meet urgent sustainability, net zero, biodiversity, and other challenges. Several initiatives have effectively scaled by integrating these elements, offering valuable insights for fostering collaboration in competitive environments. Key principles include establishing clear criteria for membership, ensuring data sovereignty to protect stakeholders' interests while stimulating market demand, aligning ownership and governance rights with marketplace participation, and employing innovative financing strategies to support scalability. Examples like Visa, Catena-X, Molecule, and Braintrust illustrate diverse approaches to fostering collaborative innovation. This session will explore how digital infrastructures that strategically combine governance, financial innovation, technology, and legal frameworks can enable competitors to collaborate effectively. Attendees will be exposed to scaled examples and best practices and challenged to think through how similar businesses can achieve sustainability and impact goals.

  • Martin Smith, Founder, CommonShare; Co-Founder, the Ownership Economy

4:45PM – 5:00PM

Building Community through the Ownership Economy – 2025 and Beyond

  • Martin Smith, Founder, CommonShare; Co-Founder of the Ownership Economy

  • Jahed Momand, General Partner, Cerulean Ventures; Co-Founder of the Ownership Economy

5:00PM – 5:45PM

Building Policy and Financing Innovations for Mainstreaming the Ownership Economy

This session will delve into democratic design principles for new ownership structures, offering concrete examples, pros and cons, and valuable learnings for those looking to build their own innovative ownership models. 

  • Nathan Schneider, Assistant Professor of Media Studies UC-Boulder. Author, Governable Spaces: Democratic Design for Online Life

  • Julie Menter, Program Director, Transformative Financing Structures, Transform Finance

  • Raphaële Chappe, Director of Economic Research & Co-Founding Partner, Pre-Distribution Initiative 

  • Jason Wiener, Founding Partner & President at Jason Wiener P.C.

5:45PM - 7:00PM 

Reception

8:00PM - Optional Group Dinners

December 5th, 2024
New York City

8:00AM

Post-Conference Wellness - Yoga Session

10:00AM

Post-Conference Networking Brunch