Many fast-growing companies start with a classic BV structure without thinking about the consequences if they want to scale up. This works fine as long as you don't have any external investors. But as soon as you want to attract capital or let employees participate, you run into a unexpected challenge:

👉 Every share transfer requires a notarized deed.

For companies in the scale-up phase, this means a significant threshold. The dynamics of these companies require speed and flexibility, not bureaucratic red tape with every change in ownership.

Why the classic BV structure hinders your growth

Companies that have survived the first 3 to 10 years and are ready for the next phase of growth are increasingly faced with external investments, employee participation and economies of scale. A traditional BV structure can become a burden at this stage:

🔴 Slow and expensive – Every share transfer requires a visit to the notary, which costs time and money.

🔴 Difficult to get employees to participate – Do you want to give key employees shares? That will be an administrative challenge.

🔴 Investing becomes less attractive – External investors are more likely to get involved if shares are easily transferable.

For companies in which growth and agility are central, it is crucial to look at smarter structures.

Alternatives for companies in the scale-up phase

Are you in the phase with your company in which you are scaling up and thinking about investors or employee participation? Then it is smart to make your legal structure future-proof.

1. STAK (Stichting Administratiekantoor): shares without notarial thresholds

A STAK is often used to trade and issue shares more flexibly, without the need for a notary.

✅ No hassle with the notary – depository receipts can be easily issued and transferred.

✅ Maintain control – voting rights remain with the STAK, so that you as the founder remain in control.

✅ Easily let employees participate – employees are given a financial interest without affecting business operations.

🚨 For whom? Companies that want to raise capital quickly and administration-free and without notarial obstacles, want employees to participate and want to see their supporters as ambassadors.

Companies that want to raise capital quickly, future-proof, administratively free and without notarial obstacles, want employees to participate and want to see their supporters as ambassadors.

2. Cooperative: the flexible choice for community-driven companies

Cooperatives are gaining ground as an alternative to a BV. They are for-profit associations and offer a lot of legal flexibility to provide structure and involve stakeholders in various ways. This makes them particularly suitable as a holding structure, especially for companies that want to welcome different types of investors.

✅ Easy Joining – new members can join without notarization.

✅ Dynamic Profit Distribution – members can share in the success of the company without a fixed dividend structure.

✅ Ideal for companies with a strong following – think SaaS companies, sustainable initiatives or platforms with loyal users.

🚨 For whom? Companies that want to involve a network of investors, customers or employees in their growth.

3. Digital stock registration: Scale without legal hassle

Some platforms allow for the digital registration and trading of shares, without the intervention of traditional notarial processes.

✅ Faster capital raising – without complex legal structures.

✅ Scalable for future investors – ideal for companies that expect multiple rounds of funding within a few years.

✅ No more manual administration – everything is automatically tracked in a digital register, with readily available annual statements and full transparency for both the company and the investor.

🚨 For whom? Scale-ups that want to remain flexible and attract investors in an accessible way. For companies that are looking for a modern, automated solution, without the administrative hassle after financing, and want to be in direct contact with their community.

What does this mean for your company in concrete terms?

For companies with growth ambitions, it is crucial to think ahead and arrange the right structure in time.

🔹 Do you want to raise external capital without any hassle? → Consider a STAK or cooperative.

🔹 Do you want key employees to participate? → Choose depositary receipts instead of traditional shares and determine different types of co-owners.

🔹 Do you want fast growth without legal barriers? → Don't wait until you get stuck. Schedule a no-obligation check-up of your structure and discover which option suits your growth ambitions!

We are happy to discuss it with you. Book a demo with Fabio or fill in the Sharefunding Readiness Check.