5mo ago

Software development cooperatives?

I've looked at a few lists here and there, but it seems like there just aren't many co-ops that recruit strangers online. Anyone have any experience working for a co-op as a dev? It seems like it would be an awesome way to structure a small web/app dev team. Part of me wants to try to start one myself, but it's hard to imagine maintaining the motivation needed for a task like that when I can barely function as it is.

Anyway, what's up with the lack of cooperatives? Sorry if this is the wrong comm, seemed like the best place

17 comments

Igalia is a Spanish worker co-op that does open-source consulting and development for a lot of fairly large open-source projects, things like the Linux kernel, Chromium, GStreamer, WebKit, Mesa3D, and probably some others. They have a jobs page here that you can apply on.

that recruit strangers online
Don't be a stranger, introduce yourself by contributing to an open source project run by a cooperative that you want to join. Start with something labeled good first issue on their GitHub issue tracker, but after that, try to pick something from their issue tracker that you think will grab their attention.

The studio that made Dead Cells is a coop
- Oh no way, hell yeah! Love that game, maybe I should buy some dlc or their other game
  
  IIRC they did end up creating another company which isn't a coop to handle some stuff. But when dead cells released it was made by a single coop. It's a great game too. I suck at it, but I had fun with it

(Assuming you are interested in a worker co-op not a buyer's co-op.)
In many jurisdictions, a worker cooperative is a legal kind of entity like private company or marriage. You don't just get together and declare yourselves a cooperative. You have to go through a certain legal process and constitute yourself in the prescribed ways. And of course they have more onerous reporting and disclosure requirements than a private company. You may be able to find the government's list of worker cooperatives which are recognized in your area. Unless you live in Spain there probably aren't tooo many so it might be worth clicking through such a list if you can find it.
Also going to the websites for any non-dev coops and checking for the footer at the bottom of the site where they credit the web dev. These kind of orgs like to do business with others who are like them.
Also also co-ops love to federate, surely there is some sort of super-org for them? Even if it isn't tech-specific. There might be a directory. Some tech companies probably in the mix.
- And sorry I know you said you found some lists so you've probably already seen this: hng/tech-coops: A list of tech coops and resources concerning tech coops and worker owned cooperatives in general.. Just in case you haven't it looks pretty extensive. And has infos about starting coops etc.
- Yea, I would recommend against doing this in the US. It's uncommon, which makes it harder, more expensive, and legally challenging, etc. It also paints a target on your back if conditions deteriorate.
  Just form an LLC and make it a co-op via an operating agreement. The government doesn't need to know why you pay people the amounts that you do or how you arrive at decisions. Keep it like a black box that looks like every other business from the outside.
  
  What kind of target do you see getting painted by being in a coop? What scenario? What consequences?
  They are like the most ineffective form of rebellion ever. I didn't get into arguing with OP about the concept. But they are pretty famous for de-radicalizing themselves over the years and becoming as nasty as any other business. The legal structure incentivizes it and few if any can resist.

Loomio could be worth checking. They are a co-op that make software that other co-ops use, a lot of links to other tech co-ops from their page.

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