What I still don't quite understand about coops is how they practically come about? The pdf you linked to says that 84% come into being from scratch. If you need to buy some mechanical equipment and rent a factory, does everyone who joins the coop at the beginning pay into those start-up costs? Or is the investment in the coop usually entirely from the outside like bank loans? Is there ever a distinction between coop members who have invested money into the firm, and those who join later that haven't?

At some point the company couldn't pay the employees and they took partial ownership. The employees were senior ex-sun types who could forgo money for stock.

It was a pleasant and the darkest (in terms of no lights on). Conversations were about high level technical and no meetings. Great place to work while it lastest.