Family businesses fail from ownership disputes more than from commercial failure. A case study in the rules that prevent it and why writing them early is the whole point.
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Family Ownership, Foundations & Codetermination
Expert guides, analysis and tool comparisons on Family Ownership, Foundations & Codetermination from the kurums.com Startup desk — written for business decision-makers and updated as the market moves.
- 5 guides
- Updated Aug 5, 2026
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Bosch: The Company Where the Owner Has No Votes
A charitable foundation owns Bosch and holds almost no votes. A case study in separating economic benefit from control, and how the structure handles a structural crisis.
The Stiftung Model: German Companies That Legally Cannot Be Sold
German foundations own companies permanently, with no possibility of sale or inheritance. A case study in succession, control separation and the price of permanence.
The Two-Tier Board: Why German Companies Separate Management and Supervision
German companies split management and supervision into two separate boards. A case study in what that solves, what it creates, and where supervision actually fails.
Codetermination: How Half a Supervisory Board Changes Every Decision
Half the supervisory board belongs to employees, and the casting vote belongs to shareholders. A case study in what that actually changes about executing decisions.
