Founders Forum

Founders Forum Group operates as a global community and accelerator for entrepreneurs, senior leaders, and investors in the technology sector. Established in 2005 by Brent Hoberman and Jonathan Goodwin, the organization fosters collaboration and innovation among influential figures in the digital and tech industries. The initial concept was to create intimate, invitation-only events where founders could connect and share insights, a format that continues to be central to their operations. Hoberman's background as a co-founder of lastminute.com and MADE.com provided him with a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial journey, which has been instrumental in shaping the Forum's ethos.

The core of the business revolves around a series of exclusive, global events that bring together a curated network of technology founders, investors, and corporate CEOs. These gatherings are designed to facilitate high-level networking, deal-making, and knowledge exchange in a private setting. Beyond events, Founders Forum Group has expanded its activities to include a family of businesses that support entrepreneurs at various stages. This ecosystem includes Founders Factory, a venture studio and accelerator that helps startups build and scale, and firstminute capital, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage tech companies. Other ventures under their umbrella include Founders Keepers, an executive search firm for high-growth tech companies, and FF-WIN (Founders Forum-Women in Innovation), an initiative to support female founders.

The business model is diversified. Revenue is generated through sponsorships for their high-profile events, where partners gain access to this exclusive network. Additional income streams come from the operations of their various ancillary businesses, such as management fees from their venture fund and fees for services from their accelerator and recruitment arms. Their primary clients are the entrepreneurs and leaders within their network, as well as corporations seeking to engage with the tech ecosystem and investors looking for early-stage opportunities. By creating a multi-faceted support system, Founders Forum positions itself not just as an event organizer but as a central hub within the global technology landscape.

Keywords: entrepreneur community, technology events, venture accelerator, early-stage investment, executive search, founder network, corporate innovation, venture capital, tech ecosystem, deal-making