FAQs

Own Your Market. Build Your Future.

What are Eco Shares?

Eco Shares are your ownership stake in The Keys Market BV. When you buy an Eco Share for $106.80, you’re not donating—you’re investing. You become a co-owner of the market, earn dividends from profits, get discounts and perks, and have a voice in how the market operates.

The Keys Market BV is a Dutch private limited company (Besloten Vennootschap) incorporated by Stichting Marlin Yard. It’s the legal entity that owns and operates The Keys Market—Sint Maarten’s community-driven eco-business hub. TKM focuses on sustainable agriculture, local entrepreneurship, and building economic resilience aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This is an investment, not a donation. When you donate, your money is gone. When you invest in Eco Shares, you:

• Own a piece of the company
• Earn annual dividends when TKM makes a profit
• Get tangible benefits like booth discounts and workshop access
• Can sell your shares after 3 years
• Build an asset you can pass to your children

Anyone can buy Eco Shares, but we’re prioritizing:

1. Vendors and entrepreneurs who want to sell at TKM
2. Sint Maarten residents who want to own their community’s economy
3. Diaspora and expats who want to invest in SXM’s sustainable future

You must be 18 years or older and able to hold the shares for a minimum of 3 years.

Each Eco Share costs $106.80. The minimum investment is 5 shares ($534). To ensure broad community ownership, we have tiered investment limits:

• Founding Circle: The first 10 investors can purchase up to 150 shares ($16,020)
• Community Members (SXM residents): Max 100 shares ($10,680)
• Diaspora/Supporters: Max 50 shares ($5,340)

Community investors (Class B shareholders) can collectively own up to 40% of TKM (4,000 shares total). Once all shares are sold, no more will be issued to the public.”

As an Eco Shareholder, you receive:

• Annual dividends – Your share of TKM’s profits (40% of profits go to Eco Shareholders)
• Booth discounts – Reduced rates if you become a vendor
• Perks – Access to meals, workshops, and community events
• Voting rights – Participate in shareholder meetings and elect community representatives
• Transparency – Quarterly financial reports and annual impact dashboards
• Legacy – An asset that can appreciate in value and be passed to your family

TKM distributes profits as follows:

• 40% to Eco Shareholders (you!)
• 30% to Stichting Marlin Yard
• 30% to TKM reserves for growth and stability

Dividends are paid annually. You can choose to receive cash or reinvest through the Eco Share Savings Plan to buy more shares at a discount. Dividend payouts are capped at 60% of annual profit to ensure TKM stays financially healthy.

As a Class B shareholder, you have:

• Profit rights – 40% of TKM profits are distributed to Eco Shareholders
• Voting rights – Elect 2 community representatives to the 5-member board
• Information rights – Access to quarterly financial reports and annual audits
• Participation rights – Attend shareholder meetings and join the Community Advisory Council
• Transfer rights – Sell or transfer shares after 3 years (with some restrictions)

Yes! Eco Shareholders collectively elect 2 out of 5 board members. You also participate in the Community Advisory Council (5–7 elected representatives) that meets quarterly to advise the board on operations, programs, and community needs.

Major decisions require 75% board approval, and Stichting Marlin Yard holds veto power only on issues that conflict with TKM’s sustainability mission or ANBI status.

ANBI stands for “Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling” (Public Benefit Organization) in the Netherlands. It’s a tax-exempt status for foundations that serve the public good.

Why it matters for you:

• Tax benefits: Dutch donors can deduct donations to SMY from their taxes
• Credibility: ANBI status requires strict transparency and accountability standards
• Mission protection: ANBI organizations must serve public benefit, not private profit
• Funding access: Many European grants and foundations only fund ANBI-certified organizations

For TKM Eco Shareholders: While TKM BV itself is a for-profit company (so you can earn dividends), it’s founded by an ANBI organization (SMY). This means:

• Your investment supports a mission-driven enterprise
• SMY’s 60% ownership ensures TKM stays focused on community benefit
• The structure balances profit with purpose

Think of it this way: ANBI status is like a “seal of approval” that proves SMY is legitimate, transparent, and committed to serving the public good—not just making money for private owners.

Eco Shareholders enjoy:

• Vendor booth discounts – Lower rental rates if you sell at TKM
• Free or discounted meals at market events
• Workshop access – Priority registration for training in permaculture, business skills, and more
• Community events – Invitations to shareholder gatherings, farm tours, and cultural celebrations
• Networking – Connect with other local entrepreneurs and sustainability advocates

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. As a vendor AND co-owner, you:

• Pay lower booth rental fees
• Earn dividends from the market’s overall success (not just your own sales)
• Have a voice in market policies that affect your business
• Build equity while building your business

This is the heart of “Own Your Market”—you’re not just renting space, you’re investing in the platform that supports your livelihood.

Yes, but with conditions to protect the community ownership model:

• Minimum hold period: 3 years from purchase date
• Right of first refusal: Stichting Marlin Yard has the option to buy your shares before you sell to someone else
• Peer-to-peer resale: You can sell to other community members through our network
• No corporate buyers: Shares cannot be sold to corporations or foreign entities without board approval

After the 3-year minimum hold, you can request redemption with 30 days’ notice. A 5% redemption fee applies. TKM maintains an Eco Buyback Fund (funded by 2% of annual profits) to purchase shares from exiting investors.

However, liquidity is not guaranteed immediately—redemptions are processed as funds are available. This protects TKM from financial instability.

Minimum 3 years. This prevents speculation and ensures co-owners are committed to TKM’s long-term success. After 3 years, you can sell or redeem your shares.

Like any investment, Eco Shares carry risks:

• No guaranteed returns – Dividends depend on TKM’s profitability
• Illiquid investment – You cannot access your money for at least 3 years
• Business risk – TKM could face challenges (weather, economic downturns, competition)
• Limited resale market – Shares can only be sold within the community network

That said, TKM is designed for resilience: diversified revenue streams (vendor fees, events, Community Supported Agriculture, tourism), strong governance, and a mission-driven community committed to its success.

TKM is governed by a 5-member board:

• 3 members appointed by Stichting Marlin Yard
• 2 members elected by Eco Shareholders (community representatives)

Day-to-day operations are managed by TKM’s leadership team, overseen by the board.

Stichting Marlin Yard (SMY) is the founding organization and holds 60% of TKM shares (Class A). SMY ensures TKM stays aligned with its sustainability mission and maintains ANBI (tax-exempt foundation) status in the Netherlands.

SMY has veto power only on decisions that would compromise TKM’s mission, ANBI status, or environmental commitments. Otherwise, the board operates collaboratively, with major decisions requiring 75% approval.

Transparency is built into the structure:

• Quarterly financial reports – Revenue, expenses, profit/loss
• Annual audits – Independent review of financials
• Impact dashboards – Jobs created, waste reduced, renewable energy usage, community benefits
• Shareholder meetings – Annual gatherings with Q&A sessions
• Community Advisory Council reports – Quarterly updates on operations and programs

All reports are accessible to Eco Shareholders through the online platform.

Several safeguards are in place:

• Mission Lock – Changing TKM’s core mission requires a 90% supermajority vote
• Anti-Dilution – SMY’s 60% stake cannot be diluted, protecting governance balance
• Transfer Restrictions – Prevents hostile takeovers or corporate buyouts
• Reserve Fund – 30% of profits go to reserves for financial stability
• Independent Ombudsman – Mediates disputes between shareholders and the board
• Legal Compliance – TKM operates under Dutch/SXM law with full regulatory alignment

Starting December 1, 2025, you can purchase Eco Shares through Stichting Marlin Yard online platform. The process is simple:

1. Create an account on the TKM Eco Shares platform
2. Complete orientation – Watch a short video and review the Shareholder Agreement
3. Choose your investment – Select the number of shares (minimum 5)
4. Make payment – Secure online payment via credit card, bank transfer, or digital wallet
5. Receive confirmation – You’ll get a digital certificate and welcome packet

5 Eco Shares = $543

This low entry point makes co-ownership accessible to everyday Sint Maarten residents, not just wealthy investors.

Yes. To ensure broad community ownership, we have tiered investment limits:

• Founding Circle: The first 10 investors can purchase up to 150 shares ($16,020) as founding co-owners
• Community Members (SXM residents): Max 100 shares ($10,680)
• Diaspora/Supporters: Max 50 shares ($5,340)

The total community stake is capped at 4,000 shares (40% of TKM). Once all shares are sold, no more will be issued to the public. This structure protects the value of existing shares while ensuring TKM remains truly community-owned, not controlled by a few wealthy investors.

To purchase Eco Shares, you’ll need:

• Valid ID (passport, driver’s license, or government-issued ID)
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or rental agreement)
• Payment method (bank account or credit card)

You’ll also sign:

• Subscription Agreement – Your commitment to purchase shares
• Shareholders Agreement – Terms and conditions of ownership
• Eco Shares Program Terms – Rights, benefits, and responsibilities

All documents are provided digitally and explained in plain language during the orientation process.

We’re here to help! Contact us:

• Email: thekeysmarket@marlinyard.org
• WhatsApp: +31 85 004 1137
• Website: caribhousing.marlinyard.org/the-keys-market-sint-maarten/

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