The Family Business Network International

What The Family Business Network International does

FBN International, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is a non-profit federation of 34 Member Associations connecting 4,500 business families and 20,000 individual members across 65 countries. The organization serves multi-generational business-owning families through six themed communities — Next Generation (NxG, ages 18-40), Now Generation (35-55), Impact, Entrepreneurs, Large Families, and Family Office — supported by the FBN Connect online member platform, a digital Library of Polaris publications and case studies, and a recurring calendar of international events anchored by the annual Global Summit. Its core service is providing a trusted, non-solicitation peer learning environment governed by a Code of Conduct, with distribution handled through country-level Member Associations, FBN World for uncovered geographies, and two international Hubs in Miami (launched September 2021) and London. FBN has established a first-of-its-kind partnership with UNCTAD on the Family Business for Sustainable Development (FBSD) initiative, positioning itself as a primary interlocutor between family businesses and global policy bodies on sustainability.

The business model combines recurring annual family membership fees (covering all family members under one subscription) with direct financial support from a named set of Family Business Partners (including Lombard Odier, IMD, FOX, Egon Zehnder, and IESE) and Donor Families (including Chopard/Scheufele, Forbes Marshall, André & Rosalie Hoffmann, and Chavalit Frederick Tsao). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by geography. The central team in Lausanne comprises approximately 17 staff led by CEO Alexis du Roy de Blicquy, with each Member Association maintaining its own leadership and operations. Technology infrastructure is relatively lightweight: the FBN Connect platform serves as the digital member directory and resource hub, the public website is developed and maintained by Netanswer/Eudonet, payments are processed via Stripe and GiveXpert, and standard tools (Google Analytics, Matomo, AddThis, LinkedIn authentication, Google Maps) handle analytics, sharing, and geolocation. Content assets include the Polaris publication series (Volumes 1-5), the FBSD sustainability indicator framework, and the NxG Lombard Odier Award (created 2009) as a recurring marquee program for young entrepreneurial family business members.

Name

The Family Business Network International

Legal name

Family Business Network International

Website

https://fbn-i.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FBN International is a non-profit federation, founded in 1989, that connects 4,500 business-owning families and 20,000 individuals across 65 countries through 34 Member Associations, six themed communities, the FBN Connect platform, and international events, serving multi-generational family enterprises with peer learning, succession support, and sustainability programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Business Network and Peer Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Governance & Next-Gen Advisory (Education, Family Councils) (FSAAABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Next-Gen Education & Family Learning Programs (FSAAADAM), Family Office Advisory (Single/Multi-Family) (FSAEAAAI), Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking Advisory (FSAAADAG), Family Office Administration & Operations (Accounting, Reporting, Payroll) (FSAAADAD)

Keywords

• Family business network
• Business family association
• Succession planning community
• Family office network
• Family business advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Family Membership Fees: FBN generates revenue through annual membership fees paid by business families. The fee covers the entire family business, allowing as many family members as desired to join the network under a single membership. Members gain access to all international events, online platforms, the directory, and resources including books, articles, and workshops.
2. Family Business Partners Program: Leading family businesses provide direct financial support to FBN as Family Business Partners, offering unique content and brand positioning opportunities within the respect of the FBN Code of Conduct. Additionally, Donor Families contribute through dedicated funding programs supporting FBN activities, particularly for Next Generation and Impact initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Family Business Network International is a non-profit membership association that connects and serves business-owning families across 65 countries through a federation of Member Associations, online platform, international events, and six distinct communities. Its core offer is paid annual family membership that unlocks peer-to-peer learning, global networking, intergenerational programs (NxG, Now Gen, Impact, Entrepreneurs, Large Families, Family Office), the annual Global Summit, international Hubs (London and Miami), and thought-leadership content through Polaris publications and the joint UNCTAD FBSD sustainability framework.

Product overview

The Family Business Network (FBN) International operates as a federation of business family associations rather than a traditional software product company. Its core offering is a membership-based network connecting over 4,500 business families across 65 countries through both digital and in-person channels. The digital presence includes the FBN Connect Platform (online member directory and resource hub), while the service portfolio is organized into six distinct communities: Next Generation (NxG), Impact, Entrepreneurs, Now Gen, Large Families, and Family Office. These communities are supported by flagship programs including the annual Global Summit, the NxG Award, and the NxG Internship Program. Regional International Hubs in Miami and London extend geographic reach. Content and thought leadership are delivered through the Library (featuring Polaris Publications) and the Family Business for Sustainable Development (FBSD) initiative developed with UNCTAD. FBN World provides a global membership option for countries without local chapters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NxG (Next Generation): Community for young family business members aged 18 to 40, providing a safe space to learn from, share with and inspire each other
• Impact
• Entrepreneurs
• Now Gen
• Large Families
• Family Office
• Miami Hub
• London Hub
• FBN World

Products and services

• FBN Connect Online Member Platform and Directory Web-based members-only platform and online directory enabling business families to connect, access resources, register for events, and engage with the global FBN network. It includes a private member space for peer networking and serves as the digital backbone for FBN membership.
• Next Generation (NxG) Community A community for young family business members aged 18-40 providing safe spaces for peer learning, personal growth, leadership development, and intergenerational dialogue within FBN membership.
• Impact Community A community of business families committed to creating positive impact and building lasting legacy across generations through responsible business, philanthropy, impact investing, and advocacy aligned with the SDGs.
• Entrepreneurs Community A community focused on awakening and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit in family businesses through initiatives like the NxG Lombard Odier Award and Entrepreneurship Day, including intra-family entrepreneurship, start-up investment and VC/family office capital connections.
• Now Gen Community A community for business leaders aged 35-55 with shared responsibility for family businesses, focused on personal growth, peer feedback, servant leadership role-modeling and navigating accountability without full authority.
• Large Families Community A community for family enterprises with 50+ owners or complex multi-generational structures addressing issues of family cohesion, governance, professionalization, strategy, diversification, management of silent shareholders and succession planning.
• Family Office Community A community for business families considering, building or running family offices, addressing both the family side (succession, education, cohesion) and the business side (wealth planning, active and impact investing, non-family talent management).
• Global Summit FBN's flagship annual international event bringing together hundreds of business family members for networking, learning, and thought leadership across plenaries, community labs, small groups, and case studies.
• NxG Lombard Odier Award An annual award program championing young entrepreneurial family business members, fostering a community of young NxG entrepreneurs within the global FBN network and providing visibility to winners at major FBN events.
• NxG Internship Program An international internship initiative designed to empower NxG members and family businesses through co-created transformative cross-border experiences that develop family and business skills.
• Family Business for Sustainable Development (FBSD) Initiative A joint FBN-UNCTAD global initiative including a family business sustainability pledge and an indicator framework to help business families embed sustainability into strategy and report against the SDGs.
• FBN World Global Membership A global membership option for business families based in countries without a dedicated FBN Member Association, providing access to the full international network, all global events, the London and Miami Hubs, member association events worldwide, and FBN Connect platform and library.
• Miami International Hub Regional hub launched September 2021 that brings together Latin American, U.S., and other business families in Miami, offering events, access to FBN's six global communities, and a pathway to expand FBN's footprint across the Americas.
• London International Hub Regional hub allowing FBN members from any association around the world to meet, connect, and learn together in London through events held every couple of months.
• Polaris Publications Library A series of 11 Polaris thought-leadership volumes and related guides on sustainability, impact, governance, philanthropy, and ownership strategy developed specifically for family businesses, made available through the FBN Library.
• Polaris Sustainability Roadmap and Impact Assessment Framework A step-by-step sustainability roadmap, impact assessment tool, and peer-group framework for family businesses to plan and execute sustainability transformation across five stages.
• FBN Library and Resource Center An online library and resource center containing case studies, articles, tools, models, recorded presentations, and publications developed specifically for FBN member family businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Family businesses account for two-thirds of businesses worldwide, employ 60% of the workforce, and contribute over 70% of global GDP — underscoring FBN's addressable market and societal significance.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBN and UNCTAD jointly developed the Global Initiative 'Family Business for Sustainable Development (FBSD)', a first-of-its-kind partnership between the United Nations and the global family business community. The initiative includes a family business sustainability pledge and a framework of transparent, comparable core sustainability indicators for family firm reporting aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• IMD Business SchoolflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerIMD is a Content Partner providing educational resources and courses to FBN members. FBN offers members partner discounts (10% or 20% off some courses) with IMD. FBN and IMD also co-produced the Global Family Office Report, examining family offices through a family-first lens across six continents.
• Family Office Exchange (FOX)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFOX is a Content Partner providing learning content for FBN's Family Office community. FBN offers members partner discounts (10% or 20% off some courses) with FOX as part of the membership value proposition.
• Lombard OdierflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLombard Odier partners with FBN on the NxG Lombard Odier Award, created in 2009 to champion young entrepreneurial family business members. The award fosters a community of young NxG entrepreneurs within the global network and provides visibility to winners at major FBN events.
• Octave InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBN CEO Alexis du Roy de Blicquy serves on the Advisory Council of Octave Institute in Singapore, creating a strategic connection between the two organizations in the family business and impact space.
• Trusted FamilyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBN CEO Alexis du Roy de Blicquy serves on the Board of Trusted Family, the leading governance platform for business families. This board connection creates a strategic alignment between FBN's community and Trusted Family's governance technology.
• InTentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInTent partnered with FBN at the World Economic Forum 2026 to host the workshop 'Leveraging Legacy to Shift Systems: Business Families Accelerating Change,' exploring how family businesses can create long-term prosperity using multi-dimensional capital.
• The Planning Commission (TPC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTPC partnered with FBN at Davos 2026 to host sessions on unlocking family capital for systems transformation and regenerative leadership in family business, exploring how family offices can catalyze broader ecosystem change.
• CII-FBN IndiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCII-FBN India is the Indian Member Association of FBN, operating under the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). It covers India with its own leadership, executive director, and programs, serving as the primary distribution channel for FBN membership in India.
• Egon ZehnderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgon Zehnder appears as a partner on FBN's website, indicating a strategic relationship related to leadership and talent development for family businesses, including succession planning and working with non-family CEOs.
• IESE Business SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIESE Business School appears as a partner on FBN's website, suggesting collaboration in the area of family business education and executive development content.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners): Global professional association for practitioners advising families on succession, trusts, and estates. STEP's family-business members overlap with FBN's audience, particularly across UK, Commonwealth, and European markets.

Broad incumbents

• TIGER 21: Peer membership organization for high-net-worth individuals with facilitated groups, investment education, and networking. Serves a broader HNW audience including many business owners, competing with FBN for family wealth and intergenerational engagement.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Global peer network for chief executives offering forums, education, and leadership development. While broader than family-business-only, YPO's family business and next-gen programs overlap with FBN's NxG and Now Gen communities, especially for business-owner members.

Direct peers

• Family Office Exchange (FOX): Membership organization serving single- and multi-family offices with peer learning, research, and events. FBN is a content partner with FOX, but the two organizations compete for the same family-office segment and overlap heavily on Family Office community programming.
• Family Business United: UK-based community and awards platform celebrating and supporting family businesses. Serves a similar next-gen and family-business learning audience to FBN's UK and European membership base, primarily through content, events, and recognition programs.
• Business Family Foundation (BFF): International non-profit network supporting business families through education, peer learning, and intergenerational programs. Operates the Family Business Network (FBN-Adria) chapters and similar next-gen, family governance, and impact initiatives, competing for the same member audience across overlapping geographies.
• Family Enterprise USA: U.S.-focused advocacy and peer organization for business families, offering programs on succession, governance, and next-generation leadership. Mirrors FBN's value proposition at a national level and competes for the same North American family-business members.

Others

• IMD Business School: Swiss business school co-producing family-business research with FBN (Global Family Office Report) and offering member course discounts. Competes indirectly for executive education spend and thought leadership in the family business space.
• Trusted Family: Governance and communication platform purpose-built for business families. While not a direct membership-association peer, Trusted Family's board-level relationship with FBN's CEO and its focus on family governance make it both a partner and adjacent competitor for digital family-business services.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and advisory firm with a recognized family business advisory practice covering succession, governance, and non-family CEO transitions. A listed FBN partner but competes for high-end family advisory engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/fbn_i
• Facebookfacebook.com/FamilyBusinessNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-family-business-network-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/fbn_international

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Family Business Network International