It must be do-business-like-a-pirate day. This is Blackbeard's business plan, updated for the 21st century. From the UN's report on Somali pirates, here is the pirates' business blueprint. All you VCs out there, crying about the lack of deals to finance, check it out.
Among other things, there are two classes of equity shares, like at the New York Times. More-valuable Class-A shares go to pirates who board the ship. Class-B owners, who run support operations, get about $15,000 after ransom is paid. There are also outside investors. Residual profits go to Class-A shareholders after accounting for costs. HT Marginal Revolution.