Founders Roundtable
You're startup sanctuary is here! Whether you're a first-time founder or seasoned veteran, navigating the complexities of building a business can sometimes feel isolating. Advisors, investors, customers, co-founders can sometimes give conflicting advice that is hard to correlate. That's where a focused group provides a unique opportunity for founders to forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals who understand the challenges firsthand.
Within the intimate roundtable setting, participants form bonds with fellow travelers, offering not just camaraderie but invaluable feedback on the pressing business dilemmas of the moment. Here, founders can candidly discuss issues they might hesitate to share with co-founders, employees, investors, or even loved ones. It's a safe space where conversations flow freely, enriched by diverse perspectives from fellow founders who are on the same journey as you, but don't have a dog in your fight.
Guided by mentors who are themselves seasoned serial entrepreneurs, each session accommodates a small group of 4-8 founders. Armed with a cast of plush animals, akin to a talking conch, every founder gets 15-20 minutes to bring a current problem to the table for group ideation and feedback. Topics can range from co-founder equity negotiations and go-to-market strategies to better attracting investors. All discussions are held in strict confidentiality, fostering an environment of trust and openness.
We usually convene on the 2nd Thursday of each month, offering a complimentary counterpart to the Eastside Startup Friends events at Venture Mechanics that occur on the the 4th Thursday of every month. While Startup Friends gatherings cater to founders in the raw ideation phase seeking peer feedback in a boisterous, open environment, Founders Roundtable is tailored for those who are already fully committed to their ventures, whether they're working on them full time or still balancing their startup dreams with a day job.
For startups on the brink of readiness but still fine-tuning their business plans, Founders Roundtable serves as a vital resource, providing invaluable support and guidance before taking the leap into programs like the Venture Mechanics Catapult Accelerator.
Because these are small groups, we ask that if you register for Founders Roundtable that you make a serious effort to show up on time (6pm). In fairness to other participants, if you need to cancel then please do so at least 3 days in advance.