This idea is still in the oven.
“A start-up co-op.” Profitable companies buy into an organization – a membership of sorts. The group then democratically decides where to allocate the membership dues. This could be for small-ticket items like a Basecamp subscription or hosting costs, wireless, legal fees. As membership grows, the group would be able to afford larger costs, like shared offices or tickets to SXSW.
Rinse, repeat and relocate.
Now the co-op is distributed, sharing some costs, absorbing others privately. But the real benefit of pollination is network. Let’s say this began in Syracuse, NY and spread to Denver, CO. The new group in Denver now has access to the brilliance coming out of CU Boulder, TechStars rejects, and a slightly larger community. Startups from either space can share resources, fill talent gaps, and even physically relocate with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have a desk, free wifi and a pre-established community immediately on arrival.
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