Employee-Owned Food System
Building a regenerative,
employee-owned food system
We acquire critical food-supply businesses, convert them to employee ownership under a 51% Master Purpose Trust, and align capital with stewardship outcomes across land, labor, and community.
Who we are
About Vilicus Federated
Vilicus Federated is a purpose-built holding company for the real economy of food. We acquire resilient, cash-flowing businesses across regional supply chains and convert them to employee ownership under a 51% Master Purpose Trust. That structure locks mission in place while giving investors clear, durable economics through the 49% HoldCo.
Our work is practical and regional: build capacity with operators, align financing with stewardship outcomes, and federate shared services so small and mid-sized firms can punch above their weight. We believe a healthy food system should honor human dignity, uplift workers and communities, and replenish the land that sustains us.
At a glance
- Structure: 51% Purpose-Trust steward share / 49% HoldCo investor share
- Pacing: 1–3 acquisitions per year in Midwest & Southeast corridors
- Training: Apprenticeships, training farms, co-op governance practices
- Metrics: Stewardship Metrics, Resilience-Weighted ROI, supply-chain resilience
Our model
51/49 Purpose-Trust + HoldCo
Capital & Governance
51%: Master Purpose Trust (steward share) elects an employee steward board and safeguards mission.
49%: HoldCo investor share supplies growth capital and participates via redemptions and distributions.
Transactions structured with senior debt, seller notes, and mission-aligned mezzanine; IO then amortization.
Federated Operating Network
Regional HoldCos acquire and operate companies; shared services reduce cost and raise quality.
Glide path to employee ownership with training farms, apprenticeships, and co-op governance practices.
Stewardship Metrics & Resilience-Weighted ROI align financial returns with human and ecological outcomes.
Impact
Metrics that honor people, land, and community
At – A – Glance
- Focus: Regional food-supply companies; regenerative outcomes
- Ownership: 51% Master Purpose Trust; 49% HoldCo
- Capital: Senior + Seller + mission-aligned mezz; IO then amortization
- Impact: Stewardship Metrics; Resilience-Weighted ROI
- Regions: Nashville, Twin Cities, Midwest + Southeast corridors
Join us
Careers at Vilicus Federated
Regional Operator (Food Supply)
Own P&L, lead conversions to employee ownership, and build teams.
Director of Acquisitions
Stand up deal sourcing, diligence, and transaction execution across corridors.
Impact & Stewardship Lead
Operationalize Stewardship Metrics and coach operators on stewardship.
Don’t see your role? We’re always meeting builders. Drop a note below.
Send a message
We’ll route your note to the right part of the federation.