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GuideIntro

Using an ESOP to Buy Out Owners

An NCEO guide focused on how a sale to an ESOP can provide succession, liquidity, continuity, and employee ownership for closely held companies.

Source: National Center for Employee OwnershipAdded June 12, 2026
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Why it matters

Most founders first encounter ESOPs as a succession option. This resource frames the ESOP as a real transaction pathway rather than just an employee benefit.

Best for

Business owners exploring whether selling to employees could fit their exit goals.

This is a practical entry point for founders who are thinking about liquidity, legacy, and continuity. It explains that an ESOP sale can be partial or complete and that the former owner may stay involved after the transaction. It is a useful bridge between general ESOP education and feasibility analysis.

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Guide·Intro

Who Should Own Your Business After You?

An NCEO booklet landing page introducing employee ownership for business succession, including owner stories, FAQs, sale process basics, and research findings.

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