APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 8, 2026

Start.coop x Defector Media Shared Media Services Project

Start.coop & Defector Media are calling for proposals from business service providers who are interested in joining a pool to support independent worker-friendly media organizations.

How to Apply

Start.coop is a national accelerator for shared ownership, committed to building a more equitable and resilient U.S. economy that shares prosperity among the many, not just the few.

We’ve supported over 2,100 cooperative founders since 2018. Defector is a worker-owned media company and an industry-wide model of cooperative journalism and worker equity.

WHO WE ARE

The shared service pilot is funded through a grant from Press Forward to develop a shared services model to help worker-friendly media companies save time and money with legal, HR, bookkeeping and other operational activities. 

PROJECT GOALS

  • Partnering with vendors to provide fractional services for the next generation of independent media, where groups of journalists can stay focused on the editorial mission of their publications while relying on outside experts to provide operational and administrative support.

  • Small, worker-friendly, local independent newsrooms with 3-10 staff members with limited resources, who need fractional operational support to strengthen their companies and better serve their communities.

    • Experience and expertise, with demonstrated ability to deliver services to small business clients

    • Clear pricing, plain-language communication, & willingness to contract with small, worker-friendly, mission-driven organizations on fair terms.

    • Importance of journalism within a well-functioning democracy

    • Focus on serving the local community

    • Worker-friendly practices (incl. fair pay, transparency, governance)

    • Commitment to DEI

    • Experience working with media companies

    • Experience working with worker cooperatives or nonprofits

    • Worker-friendly practices within your own organization

Download Vendor Application Details

Service Areas

Click into your service area to download the Scope of Work

Legal Services
Editorial Support
Graphic Design
Ad Operations
General Administrative & Operational Support
HR
Business Analysis
Bookkeeping

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit your proposal by email to hello@start.coop, with the specific Service Area you are applying for in the email subject line.

Submit your application

Applications must be submitted by April 8, 2026. Questions regarding the procurement process or proposal requirements may be directed to hello@start.coop.

Proposals may be submitted in the format that best suits your work: document, slide deck, and/or existing work products or menus of services. Please ensure all questions are clearly answered, incomplete applications will not be considered.

We welcome our vendors as partners as we determine the best service & support model to offer the newsrooms we are serving. We expect to engage in discussion with selected vendors to finalize service offerings and clarify client needs.