An exciting path forward for our company.
Our Vision
At Freshwater Map, we hold ourselves to an ethos that propels us towards an exciting future. We envision a future where we can empower all river professionals and stewardship organizations to make effective river management decisions through the use of accurate and complete river data. With our goal of preserving the value of rivers for future generations by transforming the world of river-modeling and river management, we also seek to transform our company in this same spirit.
Transition to Steward-Ownership
The future of Freshwater Map is one of steward-ownership. This relatively new business model will harnesses the power of entrepreneurial for-profit enterprise while preserving our essential purpose to create products and deliver services that will empower river professionals and organizations for generations to come.
This empowerment begins with people that have the capacity to know what harms or enhances the well-being of all life dependent on a river system. By providing that knowledge through accurate data and modeling, combined with an ethical approach to river stewardship, we aim to ensure that our rivers will thrive and remain for all to enjoy and appreciate.
In order to match our business structure and operations with our ethical perspective, it is imperative that we transition from the standard ownership model to the steward-ownership model.
We view steward-ownership as an attractive alternative to shareholder-primacy ownership. In addressing the fundamental structural deficiencies of traditional systems, it retools the goals and incentives that guide decision making in companies. By doing so it has the power to transform the economy. Steward-owned companies are committed to two principles:
(1) Self-governance — Control remains inside the company with the people directly connected to stewarding its operation and mission. With the control of the company held in a trust, it can no longer be bought or sold. This principle will always ensure that control of our company will always remain with our passionate and dedicated team that have devoted their life to rivers.
(2) Profits serve purpose — Wealth generated by these businesses cannot be privatized. Instead, profits serve the mission of the company, and are either reinvested in the company, stakeholders, or donated. Investors and founders are fairly compensated with capped returns/ dividends. This principle will ensure the long term success of our company by directing profits back into our company and increasing our ability to achieve our mission. Together with this, it promises that our investors and stakeholders will be securely compensated over the long-term, and that extraction of capital from our company will never threaten our mission or success.
We are excited to discuss our vision with potential investors and stakeholders, as well as river professionals and organizations, so please contact us if our vision aligns with yours.
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