Entrepreneurship is an incredibly isolating experience. I remember when I started my venture back in the day, everyone in my network was working full-time or doing their master’s. Still, to this day, the entrepreneurial path is not a common career choice. The education system is mostly designed for job takers rather than job creators. Everything is centered around how to get a job and receive a paycheck.
If you’re launching a startup, this is why communities are so powerful for founders. It really takes a village to raise a startup. Communities can help you in more ways than one:
- Looking to hire? Ask your community
- Got stuck? Call a founder in your community
- Need an accountability partner? Share your update in your community
There are plenty of communities for founders, but not all are created equal. You really have to dig in to find your tribe.
Here are some startup communities for founders to check out:
8. X (formerly known as Twitter)
X is a great microblogging platform, so it’s a good idea to post updates that include both the good and the bad. There’s a whole movement called “build in public,” which can be beneficial for founders, but it comes with its challenges. Start sharing your journey with your audience. X is incredibly useful for founders as it gives access to some of the most up-to-date information out there. I’m on X, sharing my journey as I build The FoundersPress. You can check out my profile here.
7. TikTok
You can create a personal TikTok account to show your progress with your startup. Be authentic and show the behind-the-scenes moments.
6. Product Hunt
Product Hunt is a launch site for startups where you can post your product and have the audience upvote it.
5. Indie Hackers
Indie Hackers is a dedicated platform for people who are bootstrapping and building profitable businesses. You can read more about how people are bootstrapping their startups without raising a dime.
4. Your Local Accelerators, Incubators, and VCs
Startup accelerators, incubators, and VCs have their own communities. They host demo days and events you can join. If you’re new to your city check out the global startup accelerator and incubator directory. For the complete list of startup accelerators and incubators check out here the link.
3. Conferences
Each conference has its own community. Some may be useful for founders and some may not. One of the best ways to find out which ones are worth it? Ask founders in your community about their experiences and they will tell as most founder won’t sugar coat it.
2. Local Meetups
Local meetups can be useful for founders to network. You have to be selective, as some may not be valuable. Find meetups that truly care about founders.
1. FoundersBeta
FoundersBeta has a Startup Slack channel for founders to ask questions, share resources, get support, and grow their network. It’s a community that has become essential for founders.
Where are you finding your community to build your startup? Let me know your thoughts.
