Formation Process
Complete guide to establishing your cooperative in ZDFZ.
Formation Timeline
Cooperative formation typically takes 5-10 business days depending on the complexity of your structure and completeness of documentation.
Founding Member Preparation
Day 1Gather founding members and agree on cooperative purpose, structure, and initial bylaws.
- ✓ Identify founding members (minimum 3-5 depending on type)
- ✓ Define cooperative purpose and activities
- ✓ Draft initial governance agreements
Member Digital Residency
Days 1-3All founding members must have active ZDFZ digital residency.
- ✓ Each member completes digital residency application
- ✓ KYC verification for all members
- ✓ Residency fees paid per member
Registration Application
Day 3-4Submit cooperative registration through the ZDFZ portal.
- ✓ Choose cooperative type and name
- ✓ Upload bylaws and governance documents
- ✓ List all founding members with roles
- ✓ Pay registration fee
Review & Approval
Days 5-8ZDFZ reviews application and documents for compliance.
- ✓ Document verification
- ✓ Name availability check
- ✓ Bylaws compliance review
- ✓ Address any requested changes
Certificate & Launch
Days 8-10Receive registration certificate and begin operations.
- ✓ Cooperative registration certificate issued
- ✓ Access to cooperative management portal
- ✓ Member onboarding enabled
- ✓ Banking & financial services available
Required Documents
📋 Bylaws
Operating rules governing membership, voting, and management.
- Membership classes & requirements
- Voting procedures
- Board structure
- Amendment process
📄 Articles of Association
Formal founding document establishing the cooperative.
- Cooperative name & type
- Purpose & activities
- Registered address
- Initial members
💰 Profit Distribution Policy
Rules for allocating surplus among members.
- Distribution formula
- Reserve allocations
- Payment timing
- Member capital accounts
👥 Member Registry
List of founding members with their roles.
- Member digital residency IDs
- Membership class
- Capital contribution
- Board positions
Formation Fees
| Fee Type | Worker | Consumer | Producer | Multi-Stakeholder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | $500 | $750 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Name Reservation | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Bylaws Review | $100 | $150 | $100 | $200 |
| Total Formation | $650 | $950 | $650 | $1,250 |
| Annual Renewal | $400 | $500 | $400 | $750 |
Governance Requirements
All cooperatives must maintain certain governance standards:
Annual General Meeting
Required within 6 months of fiscal year end.
Board of Directors
Minimum 3 board members elected by membership.
Financial Statements
Annual audited statements required.
Member Records
Maintain current member registry at all times.
Post-Formation Services
Once formed, your cooperative has access to:
Multi-Currency Banking
Business accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, and cryptocurrency.
Governance Platform
Digital voting, meeting management, and member administration.
Blockchain Integration
Token-based membership and on-chain governance tools.
Compliance Support
Ongoing regulatory guidance and annual filing assistance.
Ready to Start?
Begin by obtaining digital residency for all founding members, then proceed to cooperative registration.