Ownership Is Earned Through Contribution
Factory Collective builds real software companies where ownership is shared among the people who build them. Unlike traditional employment or freelancing, contributors become co-owners of the products they help create.
This page explains our principles and expectations. It is not a legal contract — actual equity agreements are formalized separately.
What Ownership Means Here
Ownership refers to equity in the products built within the collective. Contributors become co-owners of the products they help build. There are no clients — all products are collectively owned.
Long-term value: Ownership grows as the product succeeds
Shared responsibility: Success and failure are collective
Shared upside: When the product wins, everyone wins
How Equity Is Earned
Equity is earned, not guaranteed. Joining the collective alone does not grant equity. Contribution over time is what matters.
Time Commitment
Consistent, sustained involvement in building the product
Role and Responsibility
Taking ownership of key areas and delivering meaningful results
Consistency and Reliability
Showing up and following through on commitments
Impact on the Product
Driving growth, solving problems, and moving the product forward
Leadership and Ownership of Outcomes
Taking initiative and being accountable for results, not just tasks
Roles and Contribution Weighting
Different roles contribute differently at different stages. No role is "less important" — equity reflects actual contribution, not titles.
Software Engineers
Build the core product, infrastructure, and technical systems
Product Managers
Define vision, prioritize features, and ensure product-market fit
Tech Sales / Growth
Drive revenue, acquire users, and scale distribution
Designers
Shape user experience, brand identity, and interface design
Founders / Operators
Lead execution, make key decisions, and take ultimate responsibility
How Products Are Structured
- Each product is treated as its own startup with its own equity structure
- Products may have internal equity splits among core contributors
- The collective exists to support and enable builders, not to extract value from them
Vesting & Commitment
This section explains the conceptual principles — not legal terms.
Equity grows with sustained contribution
The longer you contribute meaningfully, the more ownership you earn
Long-term commitment is rewarded
Equity allocation favors those who stay and build over multiple months and years
Abandoning a product means forfeiting future ownership growth
If you stop contributing, your equity stops growing — but earned equity remains
Transparency & Fairness
We believe ownership decisions should be clear, honest, and fair. Trust and accountability are foundational.
Contributions are tracked
Work is documented so equity decisions are grounded in reality
Decisions are discussed openly
Equity conversations happen with transparency, not in secret
Honesty over politics
We prioritize direct communication and mutual respect
What This Is Not
To set proper expectations, here's what Factory Collective is not:
Not paid employment
There are no salaries, paychecks, or W-2s. This is ownership, not employment.
Not freelance or contract work
You're building something you own, not delivering work for someone else.
Not passive investment
You can't invest money to get equity. Equity is earned through work and contribution.
Not guaranteed returns
Like any startup, there's risk. Most products fail. Ownership doesn't guarantee financial success.
Who This Model Is For
This ownership model works best for a specific type of person:
Builders who want ownership
You want equity in what you build, not just a paycheck
Comfortable with shared risk
You understand startups are uncertain and embrace that reality
Long-term thinkers
You're willing to invest time now for potential value later
Startup-minded collaborators
You thrive in environments where everyone acts like a founder
Ready to Build and Own?
If this model resonates with you, and you're ready to contribute and earn ownership in real software products, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply to Join Factory Collective