ROOTED IN
COMMUNITY

Employee ownership is a proven solution to the succession challenges faced by many family-owned businesses.

In the same way that prairie tallgrasses take deep root in the soil and support an entire ecosystem, we know the critical value of locally grown businesses. Whether urban or rural, local ownership is rooted within the community, providing economic and community benefits at many levels.

Entrusting your business to employee owners makes good business sense since they’re the people who know it best, and whose commitment extends to the larger community in which they live and work.

Profits, jobs and tax base remain in the community.

For many owners, selling their business is about more than just maximizing financial returns. Ideally, owners want to preserve the legacy that they and their family built over many years. They want to support the community and ensure great futures for the people that helped them build the business.

At Tallgrass, we know how much is riding on the decision to sell.

We also know how precarious a transition of ownership can be. Tallgrass addresses many of the risks.

This is the Tallgrass Value Proposition…

ACQUIRE

Our patient capital investment makes it easier for business owners to sell to their employees, realizing more of the proceeds sooner, and preserving their legacy.

TRANSITION

Tallgrass supports the company’s existing leadership team as they transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model.

NURTURE

The company joins a larger family of Tallgrass companies leading to cross-pollination of ideas and talent and access to key resources in other businesses.

“Being part of an employee-owned company makes you feel you are part of a bigger structure, you think like an owner; you feel more committed, especially with a decision-making stance. There’s always this follow-up question you bring up to yourself ‘how will it affect the company?’”
Pat Villarica, Employee-Owner of Friesens Corporation

IT’S GOOD BUSINESS

SUPPORTING PROLIFIC, LOCALLY-MINDED, VALUES-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Tallgrass helps businesses transition from individual ownership to employee-ownership while preserving and creating value for all stakeholders in a win-win scenario…

BUSINESS OWNER

sells the business at market value and perserves their company legacy

COMMUNITY

maintains local ownership and retains jobs/tax-base

EMPLOYEES

become beneficiaries (employee-owners) of the business and generate new wealth for their families

CUSTOMER

enjoys stability in service delivery and brand loyalty

BUSINESS

avoids merger/take-overs and maintains strategic control

TALLGRASS

fulfils its mission and earns a small return on investment

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Explore case studies of employee ownership in a variety of forms and sectors.

Taproot Community Support Services – Edmonton, AB

Before transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), Taproot was owned first by 7 employee-owners and then up to 30 employee-owners prior to the transaction. Over time, the company ran into succession challenges as share values had risen to a point that made it difficult for new employees to buy in. The EOT offered a…

Grantbook – Toronto, ON

In the heart of Toronto, Grantbook…a technology consultancy devoted to empowering philanthropic organizations…faced a turning point. Its co-founder, Peter Deitz, stood at the crossroads of succession. For Peter, stepping aside wasn’t just about closing a chapter; it was about ensuring Grantbook’s culture and mission would thrive for years to come. Searching for A Successor, and a Values-Aligned Future The journey began long before employee…

Brightspot Climate – Vancouver, BC

In the world of consulting, growth often brings big questions: How do you keep your culture intact while planning for the future? For Brightspot, a firm that started as a one-person operation and grew to more than 40 employees, the answer was bold and values-driven…an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). A Founder’s Journey from Humble Beginnings…

Image of EllisDon 2 employees from behind in the field.

EllisDon – Mississauga, Ontario

Family-owned EllisDon construction company announced in 2020 the transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). In business since 1951, and with 4,000 employees worldwide, EllisDon is now 100% employee owned. Background In 1951, EllisDon was launched by brother Don and Davis Ellis as a contractor service in London, Ontario. Eventually EllisDon would construct many hundreds…

READY TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS?

We’re currently seeking investment opportunities.
Begin the conversation today.

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Approach

APPROACH

ROOTED IN
COMMUNITY

Profits, jobs and tax base remain in the community.