After opening the bank account for the cooperative, you start to collect the members’ contributions and other payments stipulated in the rules. The early-stage financing of the cooperative is usually based on these or on loans granted by the members. You may have also applied for start-up grants or loans. This kind of financing covers the incorporation and early-stage costs, like purchase of telephones and other equipment, software, premises, filings for registers, costs of accountants and insurances.