Startup Friends - Bellevue Chapter
Building a Community for Aspiring Founders
Startup Friends is a community-driven group dedicated to connecting aspiring founders in a supportive environment where they can network, share ideas, and gain valuable feedback on their business concepts. Attendance is free for entrepreneurs and "wantrepreneurs" alike.
What We Offer
Designed for early-stage founders aiming to build venture-scale businesses, Startup Friends hosts regular meetups to help participants refine their business ideas and gather practical, empathetic feedback before fully committing to their ventures.
Small-Group Discussions: Interactive sessions occur in small groups, often “over a beverage,” encouraging open dialogue.
Expert Insights: Serial entrepreneurs frequently join to provide mentorship and share their expertise.
Networking Opportunities: Informal networking helps founders connect with potential co-founders, mentors, and even future customers.
These relaxed sessions foster collaboration, encourage learning from peers, and provide actionable insights, helping founders clarify next steps and build confidence. Participants can expect 2–6 tables of attendees, with “musical chairs” encouraged for dynamic interaction.
By promoting collaboration and mutual support, Startup Friends strengthens the Seattle startup ecosystem and fuels the growth of innovative ventures. Founders leave with the clarity, tools, and connections to transform big ideas into thriving businesses—perhaps even the next unicorn.
Startup Friends meetups are the "first rung" event available to entrepreneurs at Venture Mechanics. Many also like to complement participation in Startup Friends with our Founders Roundtable events, which are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The difference? Startup friends is a boisterous, open room, where people move from table to table and meet other wantrepreneurs to swap concepts and stories with. Roundtable events are our "second rung" events, in a quiet and confidential setting with a small number of founders who've already committed to getting their venture off the ground, and are bringing very specific problems to each meeting that they seek help on.
Bellevue Chapter Details
Meets once a month (usually 4th Thursday), from 5 PM to 7 PM at Venture Mechanics (14110 NE 21st St, Bellevue, WA 98007).
A Look Back: “Seattle Startup Friends” History
Founded in 2012 by Daniel Bolus and Mohamed Abuzeid, the original Fremont chapter continues to meet every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at one of Fremont’s renowned pubs.
Bring Startup Friends to Your Town
Startup Friends is actively seeking chapter leaders to expand across the Puget Sound region and beyond. If you're interested in leading a chapter please contact us at missioncontrol@venturemechanics.com.
Note: To preserve the unique dynamics of these meetings, attendance is limited to startup founders and mentors. Sponsorships for commercial vendors are available—contact us for details.