Our Foundation

Adabtive was founded in 2022 and is the first Steward Owned software development organization in The Netherlands. Being an impact-driven organization has a lot of added value for our colleagues, customers, and partners. Adabtive recognized it was time to do things differently. In our shared experiences we found that Shareholders can add a lot of value to a business but more often than not it leads to extractive capitalism. Realizing your mission becomes subordinate to making a profit. At Adabtive we’ve decided we never want to sell out. This led us to adopt a Steward Owned structure.

What is Steward Owned?

A steward-owned company, also known as a stewardship or purpose-driven company, is an organizational structure that prioritizes the long-term well-being and impact of the business and its stakeholders. A steward-owned company emphasizes responsible and sustainable business practices, social and environmental consciousness, and the fulfillment of a broader purpose beyond maximizing profits. This ensures the company is owned unto itself (and thus unsellable) and governed by its employees. A separate and independent foundation is given veto rights to prevent unwanted changes.

In A Nutshell

PURPOSE-DRIVEN: A STEWARD-OWNED COMPANY OPERATES WITH A CLEAR AND MEANINGFUL PURPOSE BEYOND FINANCIAL GAIN. IT AIMS TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOCIETY, THE ENVIRONMENT, OR A SPECIFIC CAUSE.

STAKEHOLDER-ORIENTED: INSTEAD OF SOLELY FOCUSING ON SHAREHOLDER VALUE, A STEWARD-OWNED COMPANY CONSIDERS THE INTERESTS OF MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, SUPPLIERS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE: A STEWARD-OWNED COMPANY TAKES A STRATEGIC AND FORWARD-THINKING APPROACH, CONSIDERING THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ITS ACTIONS. IT AIMS TO CREATE LASTING VALUE AND ENDURING IMPACT.

ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE: ETHICAL BEHAVIOR, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES OF A STEWARD-OWNED COMPANY. IT ADHERES TO HIGH STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY, RESPECTS LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS, AND PRACTICES GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: A STEWARD-OWNED COMPANY ACTIVELY ENGAGES WITH ITS COMMUNITY, FOSTERING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, SUPPORTING LOCAL INITIATIVES, AND ADDRESSING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING AND INVOLVEMENT: A STEWARD-OWNED COMPANY VALUES ITS EMPLOYEES AND PRIORITIZES THEIR WELL-BEING. IT MAY INVOLVE THEM IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES, OFFER FAIR COMPENSATION, PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND FOSTER A POSITIVE WORK CULTURE.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A STEWARD-OWNED COMPANY DEMONSTRATES A COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BY IMPLEMENTING ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES, MINIMIZING ITS ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT, AND SEEKING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES.