Founders FirstBuilding something meaningful is hard work .. you don't have to do it alone.
Founders First provides you a safe space to think out loud, paired with hands-on venture coaching to help you act. We work alongside entrepreneurs at every step — from the big strategic calls to the hard operational days — so you have both a place to be heard and real help getting things done.
We are not a traditional incubator or accelerator.
There's no curriculum, no cohort to keep pace with, no pitch to polish. Just a room where you can say the true thing — the doubt, the question you haven't said out loud yet — to people who understand this work.
Alongside that space, we bring hands-on, practical support to help you actually build the venture — planning and delivering on the goals and milestones that move the business forward, with people who've done the work before.
What we offer
Whether you're navigating growth, fundraising, team challenges, burnout, or the weight of building something meaningful — this is hands-on support, at every step, without pretence.
Founder coaching
A safe, confidential space to think out loud with someone you trust, paired with a return to first principles — what's authentic and aligned with your own beliefs and values. It helps you show up as yourself and make clearer, more grounded decisions.
Venture building
Strategic, hands-on support to help founders plan and deliver org-level goals and milestones — from operational experts who've done the job before, working alongside you week to week through calls and workshops.
CXO support
A fractional CXO who steps in to lead a function directly — finance, marketing, BD, fundraising, and more — where there isn't yet a dedicated team, bringing the hands-on experience of someone who's done the job before.
Peer community
A growing circle of entrepreneurs and ecosystem practitioners who support one another through honest conversation, shared learning, and solidarity.
How the support is structured
All three offerings run on a steady cadence, so support doesn't stop at a single conversation.
Founder coaching
- weekly 1:1 calls
- regular self-assessments to track progress
- ad-hoc check-ins for time-sensitive decisions
Venture building
- weekly calls or workshops with the founder or team
- quarterly milestone review against org-level goals
CXO support
- fractional CXO embedded for a set number of days each week
- monthly progress review, with a plan to build internal capability over time
Who this is for
Founders and founding teams in the early stages of building meaningful ventures, each seeking to change the world in their own unique way.
- startups
- mission-driven organisations
- social enterprises
