Being an entrepreneur can feel like a solo mission sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be. There are tons of online spots where business owners hang out, share ideas, and help each other out. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been at it for a while, finding the right community can make a big difference. This article will go over 12 online communities for entrepreneurs to connect and learn, so you can find your tribe and get the support you need.
Key Takeaways
- Online communities offer a great way for entrepreneurs to find support and share knowledge.
- Different communities focus on different things, like mentorship, product launches, or specific business models.
- Joining a community can help you get advice, make connections, and even find new customers.
- Some communities are free and open to everyone, while others might be invite-only or have a cost.
- Look for a community that fits your business type and what you’re hoping to get out of it, whether it’s learning new skills or finding collaborators.
1. GrowthMentor
GrowthMentor is a platform that helps startup founders grow their businesses by connecting them with experienced mentors. We focus on one-on-one mentorship, where founders can talk directly with seasoned growth marketers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. These experts give personalized advice and strategies that are made for specific problems. GrowthMentor is special because it really focuses on growth hacking. This is a way of quickly trying out new things in marketing, product development, and sales to find the best ways to grow a business. Members get access to lots of resources, like growth hacking tutorials, case studies, and webinars. These resources are meant to go along with the one-on-one mentoring sessions. They give founders both the big picture ideas and the practical tools they need to use growth strategies well. Whether you want to make your customer acquisition better, improve how well your product fits the market, or make your business bigger, GrowthMentor gives you a place where you can learn from experts who have already gone through similar things. We think that a strong support system can really help a startup succeed. That’s why we put together this list of the best online startup communities for entrepreneurs. We looked at things like the industry, how much it costs, how easy it is to get into, and what services are offered. Startup founders with growth-focused companies can almost always get something good from having a mentor. With GrowthMentor, mentors who have been checked out can help founders and entrepreneurs figure out how to own a startup and help them make their business bigger in a good way. Members not only get to talk to a lot of mentors, but they also get an invite to the platform’s Slack channel. There, they can meet and talk with other entrepreneurs, founders, and growth marketers. This is a great way to connect with others and learn about economic growth in a practical sense.
2. Founders Network
Founders Network is a community that’s just for tech startup founders, and it’s by invitation only. We think it’s a great place for experienced entrepreneurs to find a trusted space. This network gives members a strong platform where they can get advice from other founders, go to networking events, and share useful resources. The community has more than 600 tech founders from all over the world, which makes for a good environment for sharing ideas, solving problems, and working together on new projects. Members get to go to regular networking events, like online meetings and in-person gatherings in over 30 places around the world. These events are made to help people make good connections and give founders chances to meet possible investors and partners. Also, Founders Network gives access to a lot of shared resources, like templates, guides, and tools that can help founders deal with the hard parts of growing a tech startup. Joining Founders Network doesn’t just give you a chance to grow your business, but also to be part of a supportive community that understands the special problems of the tech startup world. We also find that the community has a mentorship program called FN Labs. This 12-week program puts founders with experienced mentors, matched to where they are in their growth—whether they’re just starting out or at Series B. Each group is set up to deal with problems that are important for that part of the founder’s journey. Besides its online things, Founders Network puts on in-person summits every three months in big tech cities like San Francisco, New York, and Austin. These events have talks from successful founders and organized networking chances, helping members make good connections. The platform also has a resource library full of templates, playbooks, and stories from successful startup exits. Members can watch recorded sessions from past roundtables and summits, which makes it easy to learn from past talks even if they couldn’t go live. We also know that Inc. Premium offers subscribers unlimited access to in-depth original reporting and exclusive newsletters, featuring insights from founders like Annabel Burba.
3. Indie Hackers
We find Indie Hackers to be a really good spot for people building businesses on their own. It’s a place where independent entrepreneurs get together to talk about what they’re doing. You can read interviews, articles, and join in on forum discussions that dig into real-world problems and how people are solving them. These resources cover everything from making more money to dealing with market changes and getting bigger. The platform is all about being open and honest, so members can trade ideas, learn from each other’s tough times, and make their business plans better. It’s not about big theories; it’s about practical advice. This makes Indie Hackers a place where founders can celebrate their wins, learn from their mistakes, and grow together. It’s a solid resource for anyone wanting to start or expand an online business, especially if they’re interested in ethical hacking for security.
4. Product Hunt
Product Hunt is a really interesting spot for anyone who loves new tech and products, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. We see it as a place where you can show off your latest creation to a crowd that’s genuinely excited about innovation. It’s not just about getting eyes on your product, though; it’s also about getting real, honest feedback from early adopters and even potential investors. The whole upvoting system they have is pretty neat because it helps the best products rise to the top every day, giving founders a chance to really shine. We’ve found that the Product Hunt community is super engaged, and that’s what makes it so valuable.
What is Product Hunt?
So, what exactly is Product Hunt? Well, it’s a platform where new products, apps, websites, and even podcasts get launched and discovered. Think of it as a daily leaderboard for new stuff. Users can submit products, and then the community votes on them. The ones with the most votes get featured, which can lead to a ton of exposure for a new venture. It’s a simple concept, but it works really well for getting a product noticed quickly. We often check it out just to see what’s new and trending in the tech world.
How Product Hunt Helps Entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs, Product Hunt is more than just a launchpad. It’s a powerful tool for market research and community building. When you launch a product there, you’re not just throwing it out into the void; you’re putting it in front of a very specific audience that’s eager to try new things and give their opinions. The comment sections are goldmines for understanding user sentiment, spotting areas for improvement, and even identifying potential competitors. We’ve seen many founders refine their strategies based on the direct feedback they get from the Product Hunt community. It’s a great way to get a pulse on what people really want and need, and it helps us understand the market better.
5. RemotelyFounders
RemotelyFounders is a community for entrepreneurs who run businesses that are completely remote. It brings together all sorts of business leaders, from people who started SaaS companies to those with e-commerce stores and even agency owners. This creates a network where everyone can share their experiences and knowledge about running a business from anywhere. This platform really focuses on the specific problems that come with running a remote business. They give you resources and plans that are made just for this kind of work, so members can figure out how to grow their businesses without making common mistakes. What makes RemotelyFounders special is how much they care about building real connections. People in the community work together on projects, share what they know, and solve problems, even if they are in different time zones. Being part of RemotelyFounders has been a game-changer for many businesses, with the support and ideas from other entrepreneurs proving to be very helpful. The community has a bunch of things to help its members. You get chances to meet other remote business owners and build good relationships. There are also masterclasses and sessions led by experts in the field, giving you real advice you can use. Plus, you can connect with entrepreneurs from all over the world to find new ways to grow. For remote business owners, RemotelyFounders gives practical advice, a strong support system, and chances to expand. It fills in the gaps that other entrepreneur communities often miss. It really sets a high standard for what remote entrepreneurs can do together. We believe that to trust your ideas and share them with the world, you need a supportive community.
6. StartupNation
StartupNation is a pretty solid spot for anyone just getting their business off the ground. We think it’s especially good for those who are new to the whole entrepreneur thing. They’ve got a ton of stuff to help you figure out how to plan your business, get money, and even market what you’re doing. It’s a place where you can really dig into the practical side of starting and running a business. We’ve seen that their forums are super active, which is great because you can ask questions and get real answers from other people who are doing the same thing as you. It’s like having a bunch of mentors all in one spot. Plus, they have articles and case studies that give you actual tips you can use. It’s all about helping you make smart choices and connect with others. It’s a good resource for creative inspiration for artists too, if you’re looking for ideas.
7. Women 2.0
8. Young Entrepreneur Council
We’ve found that the Young Entrepreneur Council, or YEC, is a pretty unique spot for business owners. It’s not just some open forum where anyone can join; it’s an invite-only kind of place. That means everyone in there has already shown they know what they’re doing, which makes for some really good conversations. We like that it keeps the quality high, so you’re not sifting through a bunch of noise to find good advice. The whole point of YEC is to get experienced entrepreneurs talking to each other, sharing what they’ve learned, and helping solve problems. It’s a private platform, so you can really dig into specific business challenges without feeling like you’re broadcasting to the whole internet. We’ve seen members use it to brainstorm new strategies, get feedback on tough decisions, and even find partners for projects. It’s a solid community if you’re looking for that kind of peer-to-peer support from people who are actually in the trenches, running their own companies. It’s a place where we can feel confident in our discussions and innovate with confidence knowing we’re among peers.
9. LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn has always been a go-to spot for professional connections, and its groups feature is no different. We’ve found that these groups are a really straightforward way to meet other entrepreneurs and people in our field. It’s not just about adding names to a list; it’s about finding folks who are dealing with similar business challenges or who have insights we might not have considered. We can jump into discussions, share our own experiences, and even ask for advice when we hit a wall. It’s a bit like a digital conference room where everyone is there to help each other out. We’ve seen people find mentors, collaborators, and even new clients just by being active in these groups. It’s a low-pressure way to expand our network and learn from others without having to leave our desks. We just search for groups that fit our niche, join up, and start participating. It’s surprising how quickly you can build meaningful connections when everyone is focused on the same topics. It’s also a great way to stay updated on industry trends and news, as members often share relevant articles and insights. We always make sure to contribute thoughtfully, because that’s how we get the most out of it. It’s not just about taking; it’s about giving back to the community too. We’ve even found some hidden gem destinations for business travel through these groups, which was an unexpected bonus.
10. Startup Grind
Startup Grind is a big community for startups, founders, and people who create new things. It started back in 2010 when the founder, Derek Andersen, just got some friends together. They were all dealing with similar problems as startup founders. That first meeting went really well, and it made Andersen see how much good could come from communities that offer support and advice. Soon enough, the Startup Grind idea took off and started bringing in experts and founders from all sorts of different fields. Now, there are Startup Grind groups in many countries around the world, which is pretty cool. They have different kinds of memberships, like for students, startups, and partners. If you’re a startup founder, you’re in luck because getting into Startup Grind is free if you get approved through their application process. It’s a good spot to connect and learn, and it can really help you feel less alone on your journey. We think it’s a great way to get instantly more productive with your business.
11. The Fastlane Entrepreneur Forum
12. SaaS Club
SaaS Club is a community that really zeroes in on founders who are building Software as a Service businesses. We’ve found it to be a great spot for getting specific advice on the kinds of problems you only run into when you’re trying to grow a SaaS company. They have a podcast that’s pretty well-known, where you can hear from people who’ve already been through the wringer with their own SaaS ventures. They talk about everything from how to get more customers to figuring out funding, which is super helpful. It’s like getting a peek behind the curtain at what actually works and what doesn’t in the SaaS world. Beyond the podcast, there are forums where you can chat with other founders, ask questions, and just share what you’re going through. They also have a bunch of articles and guides, which are good for when you need to look something up quickly. The big draw for us is that you get to learn from people who’ve already done it. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to make your business bigger, the advice you get here can really help you make sense of the whole SaaS thing. It’s a solid place to connect and learn about online learning for your business.