Founders Forum Group

What Founders Forum Group does

Founders Forum Group is a London-headquartered private company, founded in 2005 by Brent Hoberman and Jonathan Goodwin, that operates a global community and portfolio of businesses serving tech entrepreneurs at every stage from seed to decacorn. Its core activity is an invitation-only forum franchise — Founders Forum Global, North America, India, Asia, Europe, and MEASA — that convenes unicorn founders, top-tier venture capitalists (100+ firms representing $2 trillion AUM at the most recent Global event), Fortune 500 CEOs, and heads of state, alongside London Tech Week which it co-produces with Informa and London & Partners and which drew 30,000+ participants in its most recent edition. Under the Founders Forum umbrella sit more than 25 sub-brands, organized into professional services (Founders Keepers, Law, HR, Makers, Comms, Health, Match, Miroma Founders Network), investment vehicles (firstminute capital at $500m AUM, Founders Factory, Creator Fund, Planet Fund, G-Force), skills and philanthropy (01 Founders coding school, Founders Pledge with $11.9bn pledged), and the post-2023 Tech Nation platform, which runs the UK Home Office's Global Talent Visa processing and a suite of growth programmes (Future Fifty, Climate, Upscale, etc.).

The underlying technology stack is thin in proprietary depth: the business runs on a combination of standard event management tooling, a CRM/database of elite members, and Grip — an AI-powered matchmaking and networking platform used by over 50% of the world's largest event organizers including Clarion Events, RX Global, and Messe Frankfurt, which uses natural language processing over attendee profiles to generate networking recommendations. The business is primarily a community-and-relationship business augmented by a productized AI networking tool, not a software company.

The business model is multi-stream: (1) corporate event sponsorships and partnership packages sold at quote-based tiers to enterprise buyers (Google, Salesforce, Meta, McKinsey, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Sequoia, Informa, etc.) seeking brand exposure and access to founders; (2) fees from the professional services portfolio serving hundreds of founder-led and scaling companies; (3) management fees and carried interest from affiliated investment vehicles; (4) contract revenue from the UK government via Tech Nation for Global Talent Visa processing and growth programme delivery; and (5) content, membership, and ancillary revenue across niche communities (CMO Forum, CFO Forum, Family Office Forum, INDI for executive assistants). Access to flagship forums is invitation-only and not publicly priced.

Name

Founders Forum Group

Legal name

Founders Forum Events LLP

Website

https://ff.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Founders Forum Group is a London-based ecosystem of businesses serving elite tech entrepreneurs through invitation-only forums, professional services, investment vehicles, and the UK government's Global Talent Visa. It serves scale-up founders, VCs, corporate partners, and policymakers across 20+ cities globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneur Community and Events

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF), Finance & Investment Conferences (MPAGAGAG), Academic & Education Conference Organizers (THAHACAE)

Keywords

• Entrepreneur community network
• Invitation-only tech forums
• Founder professional services
• Venture capital events
• Tech ecosystem conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners pay for branding, access, and networking opportunities at flagship forums. Partners include major technology companies, financial institutions, and consulting firms seeking engagement with founder community.
2. Professional Services: Portfolio of businesses providing services to founders including Founders Keepers (executive search), Founders Law (legal), Founders HR, Founders Comms, Founders Health, and Founders Makers (creative agency). Revenue generated through service fees.
3. Investment Vehicles: Affiliated investment entities including firstminute capital (seed fund), Founders Factory (venture studio), and Creator Fund provide capital access to portfolio founders, creating ecosystem lock-in and potential carry/fees.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Founders Forum Group operates an invitation-only global community for technology entrepreneurs, hosting flagship forums (FF Global, North America, Asia, Europe, MEASA, India), community events (CMO Forum, CFO Forum, Founders Family Office Forum), and London Tech Week. It sells corporate sponsorships and partnership packages to enterprises (Google, Salesforce, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs) seeking access to elite founders, and offers a portfolio of professional services (executive search, legal, HR, creative, communications, health) and affiliated investment vehicles (firstminute capital, Founders Factory).

Product overview

Founders Forum Group is a global community and portfolio of businesses empowering entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys. The company operates a multi-layered ecosystem consisting of: (1) Flagship invitation-only forums (Founders Forum Global, North America, India, Asia, Europe, MEASA) that unite inspiring founders, investors, CEOs, and government leaders; (2) Partner events including London Tech Week (30,000+ participants), LeWeekend, Europe100, and FoundersX; (3) Community forums for CFOs, CMOs, VCs, and Family Offices; (4) Professional services including Founders Keepers (executive search), Founders HR, Founders Law, Founders Makers (creative), Founders Comms, Founders Match (corporate partnerships), Founders Health, and Miroma Founders Network (marketing); (5) Investment vehicles including firstminute capital ($500m venture fund), Founders Factory (venture studio), Creator Fund (deep tech pre-seed), Planet Fund (climate tech), and G-Force (climate tech); (6) Skills programmes including 01 Founders (free coding school) and Founders Pledge (post-exit philanthropy with $11.9bn pledged); (7) AI-powered networking via Grip; (8) Tech Nation growth programmes (Future Fifty, Libra, Creo, Climate, Upscale, Scale In UK) and pitch competitions (Next Wave, One To Win, Route To Rise, Founders Of The Future); (9) Advocacy via Enterprise Britain movement; and (10) Global Talent Visa processing for the UK Home Office.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Founders Forum Global: Flagship forum bringing together the world's most influential tech founders, investors, CEOs, and policymakers in iconic locations
• Founders Forum North America
• Founders Forum India
• Founders Forum Asia
• Founders Forum Europe
• Founders Forum MEASA
• London Tech Week
• LeWeekend
• Tech Nation
• Europe100
• FoundersX
• CMO Forum
• CFO Forum
• Founders Family Office Forum
• Founders Keepers
• Founders Law
• Founders HR
• Founders Makers
• Founders Comms
• Founders Health
• Founders Match
• Grip
• INDI
• 01 Founders
• Founders Pledge
• Longevity Show
• Landed
• AI for Growth
• Enterprise Britain

Products and services

• Founders Forum Global Invitation-only flagship forum gathering the world's most successful tech founders, investors, CEOs, and government officials for high-level networking and discussions on technology trends. Hosted annually in iconic global locations.
• Founders Forum North America Annual forum in New York City connecting North American and European tech communities, bringing together founders, investors, and corporate leaders for cross-Atlantic networking.
• Founders Forum India Annual forum in Mumbai bridging India's entrepreneurial ecosystem with global founders, investors, and corporate leaders to foster collaboration in the Indian tech market.
• Founders Forum Asia Annual flagship event in Singapore connecting APAC region's leading entrepreneurs with global founders and investors. Includes Digital Frontier Forum Asia held alongside Asia Tech x Summit.
• Founders Forum Europe Annual forum in Paris gathering Europe's most ambitious scaling founders from late Seed to Series C stage, connecting them with top active investors and unicorn founders.
• Founders Forum MEASA Forum bridging the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia regions, bringing together VCs, CEOs, and unicorn founders to discover expansion opportunities in the MEASA tech ecosystem, hosted in Dubai.
• London Tech Week UK's premier tech festival held annually in June, featuring 30,000+ participants, 600+ speakers, and 70+ events over 3-5 days. Co-produced with Informa Festivals and London & Partners.
• LeWeekend Invitation-only weekend gathering co-hosted with VivaTech in Paris, bringing together 90 top global entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders from companies with valuations exceeding $1 billion.
• Europe100 Intimate retreat-style event co-hosted with Sequoia Capital, bringing together a curated selection of Europe's top founders by invitation only.
• FoundersX Boutique retreat in San Francisco for 100 leading AI founders, CEOs, and investors, held in partnership with HumanX conference.
• CMO Forum Intimate forum for Chief Marketing Officers behind the world's most successful high-growth brands, covering topics including AI-powered marketing, brand vs. performance, ROI measurement, and the creator economy.
• CFO Forum Strategic finance community hosted in partnership with Cooper Parry, connecting and supporting UK Chief Financial Officers through panel discussions, fireside chats, and roundtables.
• Founders Family Office Forum
• Founders Keepers Executive search firm specializing in digital and tech leadership talent acquisition for high-growth companies. Based in London and Berlin; since 2021, 63% of senior appointments identify as ethnic minority or not male.
• Founders Law Commercial-first legal support for technology companies, providing services for scaling and international expansion, strategic transactions, product launches, and emerging technology challenges.
• Founders HR Flexible HR services for high-growth teams, offering practical strategies and frameworks covering people strategy, organizational design, performance, development, and compliance.
• Founders Makers Creative agency creating memorable brand work for challengers, scaleups, and major brands, offering high-impact strategies, brand identities, campaigns, and content.
• Founders Comms Communications and policy strategy specialists helping ambitious businesses navigate scaling complexities, with sector experts and hands-on operator experience from fast-growth startups.
• Founders Health Doctor-led, data-driven clinic supporting founders' long-term health through advanced diagnostics, functional medicine, and regenerative approaches.
• Founders Match Invite-only platform connecting enterprise-ready founders with senior decision-makers at leading global corporates for partnerships, procurement, innovation, and investment through structured introductions.
• firstminute capital $500m AUM venture fund backed by 130 unicorn founders investing pre-seed and seed in European tech champions, with up to $5m first cheques. Seed stage backer of 5 AI unicorns including Wayve, Mistral, and Lovable.
• Founders Factory Global venture studio and accelerator backing visionary founders with capital, hands-on operational support, and access to leading corporations. Has built and accelerated 400+ startups globally since 2015.
• Creator Fund Pre-seed fund investing in scientific founders launching Deep Tech, AI, and Life Science companies, with PhD team across 25+ European universities.
• Grip Award-winning AI-powered matchmaking and networking platform used by major event organizers. AI analyzes attendee profiles, interests, and professional backgrounds to generate personalized networking recommendations.
• 01 Founders Tuition-free coding school producing world-class full-stack software engineers via gamified peer-to-peer learning at London campus. Two-year Fellowship or Apprenticeship producing debt-free graduates.
• Founders Pledge Philanthropic community of founders, investors, and VCs pledging a portion of exit to charity. Has 2,100+ members who have pledged $11.9bn total, with $1.6bn already donated.
• Global Talent Visa (Tech Nation) Programme processing Global Talent Visa applications for the UK Home Office, enabling tech entrepreneurs and skilled professionals to obtain UK work authorization.
• TN Future Fifty Tech Nation programme supporting late-stage tech companies on their path to unicorn status and international expansion through peer networks and expert mentorship.
• TN Libra Tech Nation growth programme supporting diverse founders, connecting late-stage ventures with mentorship and international missions to markets including Singapore, New York, and Dubai.
• TN Creo Tech Nation programme focused on deep tech, supporting founders developing frontier technologies with specialized guidance and resources.
• TN Climate Tech Nation programme supporting climate technology startups with resources and mentorship for developing solutions addressing environmental challenges.
• TN Upscale Tech Nation programme supporting B2B SaaS companies in their growth journey with peer learning and expert guidance.
• TN Scale In UK Tech Nation programme helping international companies scale into the UK market with guidance on local ecosystem navigation and growth strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ companies from Future Fifty and Rising Stars programs have collectively raised over £1.3 billion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• GoogleflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLogo partner for FF Global events. Google seeks brand visibility and engagement with elite tech founder community through event sponsorship.
• SalesforceflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for FF Global. Salesforce sponsors for access to tech ecosystem and brand positioning among founders and investors.
• McKinsey & CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner providing thought leadership content and seeking engagement with tech founder community at FF events.
• MetaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLogo partner for FF Global. Meta sponsors events for brand visibility and ecosystem engagement with tech founders.
• Dubai Department of Economy and TourismflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for FF MEASA events in Dubai. DET leads mandate to make Dubai a global center for business and investment, providing support for innovation events.
• Singapore Economic Development BoardflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for FF Asia events in Singapore. EDB supports businesses at forefront of innovation hosting events in Singapore.
• InformaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner producing London Tech Week. Informa is FTSE 100 events and entertainment company.
• London & PartnerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of London Tech Week, the UK's premier tech event. London & Partners is the Mayor of London's growth agency for the city.
• Tech NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired by Founders Forum Group in April 2023. Tech Nation supports UK tech entrepreneurs and processes Global Talent Visa for UK Home Office. FF Group relaunched Tech Nation's programmes including Future Fifty, Climate, Upscale, Scale In UK, and UK Missions.
• GlobantcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTech Hub partner for FF Global 2025, powering the technology exhibition area at the flagship event.
• EdelmanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic relations partner for FF Global.
• AirwallexcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPayments partner for FF events across multiple regional forums.
• WheelyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury mobility partner for FF Global events.
• Invisible TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAI/BPO services partner for FF Global.
• PayhawkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExpense management partner for FF events.
• BCGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner for FF Europe and FF Asia events.
• Aston Martin F1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFormula 1 partner exhibiting at FF Global 2025.
• ClicksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for FF Global 2025.
• Informa TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer partner for London Tech Week through FTSE 100 company. Led London Tech Week since 2015 before JV transition.
• Getty FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Founders Family Office Forum at Wormsley Estate country home. Partnership with dara5 on exclusive family office event.
• Station FcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for FF Europe, hosted at Paris startup campus.
• Singapore Tourism BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for FF Asia Singapore events, helping businesses at forefront of innovation host events.
• HumanXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of FoundersX, a private invitation-only gathering for AI founders and investors alongside HumanX conference in San Francisco.
• VivaTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of LeWeekend, an invitation-only weekend gathering of 90 top global entrepreneurs with VivaTech in Paris.
• Cooper ParrycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAccounting partner for CFO Forum, UK's most progressive professional services group for fast-growing businesses.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Invitation-only global peer community for CEOs and business leaders, organized into chapters and forums. Most directly comparable to Founders Forum's curated, membership-gated networking model for elite executives, though broader in industry coverage beyond tech.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): Global membership community for entrepreneurs who have scaled companies past $1m in revenue. Directly comparable peer community model for founders, with peer-learning forums, events, and member-only access, though slightly broader in stage and geography than FF's unicorn-centric curation.
• Summit Series: Curated community and event platform for founders, investors, and cultural leaders. Closely aligned with Founders Forum's invitation-only, founder-led community ethos and high-profile convening power across the global tech ecosystem.
• TED: Invitation-only, curated conferences and media platform convening influential leaders across tech, science, and culture. Comparable in curation standards, premium sponsorship model, and thought-leadership brand positioning, though broader in topic scope.

Broad incumbents

• Web Summit: One of the world's largest tech conference operators (Lisbon, Rio, Vancouver, Doha). Overlaps with London Tech Week and Founders Forum on corporate sponsorship-driven event revenue, but operates a mass-market ticketing model rather than invitation-only curation.
• Informa: FTSE 100 events and information services group, co-producer of London Tech Week with FF Group. Comparable as a large-scale B2B events and exhibitions operator; significantly larger and broader in scope than Founders Forum Group.
• Milken Institute: Non-partisan economic think tank hosting flagship summits that convene global leaders, investors, and policymakers. Comparable as an elite convening organization with similar audience overlap (CEOs, VCs, government officials), though mission and structure differ.

Emerging players

• Antler: Global early-stage VC and founder generator operating residencies and community programs across 30+ cities. Comparable as a founder-community operator with both event and investment components, though focused earlier-stage (pre-seed) than Founders Forum's unicorn-centric portfolio.
• Slush: Helsinki-based founder and investor event with strong European tech-ecosystem roots. Comparable as a community-driven tech conference brand with corporate sponsorship model, though regional rather than globally distributed like Founders Forum.
• TechCrunch (Crunchbase): Tech media brand and Disrupt conference operator serving the startup ecosystem. Comparable audience overlap (founders, VCs) and event-driven sponsorship model, though media-led rather than community- and invitation-led like Founders Forum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/founders_forum
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAp34ZPmVOK5bndOCfPt8wA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/founders-forum
• Instagraminstagram.com/FoundersForum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Founders Forum Group