Rutgers Launches Employee Ownership Research Lab

April 24, 2026 | njbiz.com

Rutgers University launched a new Employee Ownership Applied Research Lab, through the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. The effort aims to tackle what researchers describe as a looming succession crisis among small businesses, while also expanding pathways for workers to build wealth.

 The urgency stems from what’s often called the “silver tsunami.” Roughly half of small business owners are 55 or older, and many lack a clear plan for what happens when they retire. Without a buyer or successor, millions of businesses – and the jobs tied to them risk of disappearing. Small businesses employ more than 62 million people.

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NJ SEED: Congratulations to Rutgers for seeing the need to save many small businesses that are fundamental to our economy.