Welcome to the global ecosystem for early-stage founders.

// Inspiration / knowledge / Entertainment / Connection //

Events List

Aug 8

Founders Live Cairo

Our premier pitch competition and networking event returns to Egypt!

Aug 25

Founders Live Dallas

The premier networking experience and pitch competition returns to Dallas!

Aug 26

Founders Live San Diego

The premier networking experience and pitch competition returns to San Diego!

Aug 27

Founders Live Cavite

The premier networking experience and pitch competition returns to Cavite!

Aug 27

Founders Live Nairobi

The premier networking and pitch competition experience returns to Nairobi!

Aug 27

Founders Live Stockholm

Our premier networking experience and pitch competition returns to Sweden!

Sep 10

Founders Live New York City

The premier networking and pitch competition experience returns to New York City!

Sep 16

Founders Live Melbourne

The premier networking experience and pitch competition returns to Australia!

Sep 23

Founders Live Lima

The premier networking experience and pitch competition returns to Lima.

Sep 24

Founders Live Seattle

The premier networking and pitch competition experience returns to Seattle!

Oct 1

Founders Live Nairobi

The premier networking and pitch competition experience returns to Nairobi!

Oct 7

Founders Live Casablanca

Our premier pitch competition and networking event arrives in Morocco!

// Empower Your Future

/ We are on a mission to Elevate founders around the world

Welcome to the global platform that connects you to the people, resources, capital, and exposure you need to truly become a rockstar.

/ We’ve gone live in 150+ cities and 55+ countries

5 founders.
99-second pitches.
4 minutes of audience Q&A.
YOUR VOTE decides the winner.
(And No Nametags)

All wrapped in an evening of authentic community connection centered around our five Core Values.

// Exploring Greatness

AN INSPIRING DOCUSERIES

Join Nick Hughes on his US tour of Founders Live cities as he discovers and shares inspiring examples of greatness.

Season 2, Episode 5 now playing!

Explore the Show

Recent Episodes

The Feed

Winner’s Showcase: Andy Weinstein of GODOT

Learn more about Andy Weinstein, founder of GODOT, and winner of Founders Live Seattle in May 2026

Winner’s Showcase: Katrina Golden of Lil Mama's Sweets and Treats

Learn more about Katrina Golden, founder of Lil Mama's Sweets and Treats, and winner of Founders Live Atlanta in April 2026

Sponsor Scout is here!

Sponsor Scout is here! Find real sponsors of real events in any location.

Your Prime Time 2026 Global Champion: Kiran Jadhav of Xproguard

Congratulations to our Prime Time 2026 Global Champion, Kiran Jadhav of Xproguard!

From Silence to 10000 Voices: Mostafa Shahat Builds MENA

Founders Live MENA Regional Leader Mostafa Shahat shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of how a personal need for connection turned into a multi-national movement, honoring the partners and volunteers who built the ecosystem alongside him.

The Death of the Cold DM

Week 7 introduces Founder Finder, a tool that replaces random networking with targeted search, allowing founders to discover peers by industry and location.

Stop Spectating. Start Participating.

Week 6 explores the isolation of the "digital grind" and shows how the free Global Events feature helps you break out of the algorithm. Learn how to trade passive scrolling for real-world connection by finding the people and the energy you've been missing.

The Alchemy of "Sawdust"

Week 5 helps founders beat burnout by using the "Sell Sawdust" framework in Backstage Intelligence. Learn how to apply the "Build Once, Sell Twice" methodology to turn your "Trees" (Major Assets) into "Sawdust" (Revenue Streams).

San Diego - Finding Ambition on the Horizon - Exploring Greatness: Season 2, Episode 5

In an exploration of alignment and ambition, Nick journeys through San Diego’s iconic coastline to interview two founders from the local Founders Live stage and share candid reflections on the personal challenges of building a global company while on the road.

Are You Suffering from "AI Tool Fatigue"?

Week 4 addresses "AI Tool Fatigue," showing how AI Magic in Backstage Intelligence helps founders stop wasting hours researching new apps and instantly find curated, innovative solutions.

Santa Monica - The Rising Tides of Creativity - Exploring Greatness: Season 2, Episode 4

Drifting to the creative rhythm of Santa Monica, Nick explores the city's unique mix of beauty and ambition, culminating in a powerful discussion at AthletesTouch where he shares his personal evolution from competitor to creator.

Cairo Calling: Event Recap

Founders Live Cairo returned with even more impact! Check out the megapost with social reactions and a photo gallery.

Is Your Spreadsheet a Ticking Time Bomb?

Week 3 of the Founder's Journey dives into "The DIY Trap" and shows how Front Row membership unlocks the Tools & Services module, helping founders bypass generic search results and instantly connect with verified, premium partners.

Reno - Where Art and Entrepreneurship Collide - Exploring Greatness: Season 2, Episode 3

Nick travels to Reno, Nevada, to uncover how the "Biggest Little City in the World" serves as a creative proving ground where art and scrappy entrepreneurship collide, featuring an interview with Founders Live City Leader David Ezell on resilience.

Drowning in "Good Advice": How to Cure Startup Analysis Paralysis

Week 2 of the Founder's Journey dives into "analysis paralysis" and shows how the Advice & Wisdom tool helps founders stop researching and start building.

Portland - Rose City Reflections on Leadership - Exploring Greatness: Season 2, Episode 2

Following an immersive exploration of Portland's unique character and artistic pulse, Nick sits down with author Jesse Rhodes Jr. to discuss his book Leadership Unlocked and the hidden forces that impede ambitious leaders.

What’s Your Entrepreneurial Color?

Entrepreneurial Colors gives you insight into your founder motivations and how you can make impact with your gift. It also gives you a little something fun at the end…

Seattle - Flying Around the Birthplace of Founders Live - Exploring Greatness: Season 2, Episode 1

Catch the premier of Season 2, as Nick kicks off his 2025 US tour in Seattle, the birthplace of Founders Live!

Founders Live Is Hiring a Sales Associate!

🚀 Founders Live is hiring a Sales Associate!

We are looking for full cycle sales pro!

We’re growing fast and looking for a driven sales professional who’s ready to take the leap into full-cycle sales — generating leads, building relationships, and closing meaningful B2B deals that drive global impact.

Founder Feature: Andrea Jordan on Building Empathy Into AI

Recent Seattle city winner, Andrea Jordan, talks empathy and AI with Jason Cavness - watch live!

Singapore Launch Highlights

We are so excited to have launched Founders Live Singapore! Check out the megapost with social reactions and a photo gallery.

Massive in Melbourne

Melbourne’s second event somehow improved on its first. Check out the megapost of social response.

Saying It in Stockholm

Stockholm winner Ella Karlsson described her Founders Live so universally that we just had to share.

Heartening in Helsinki

Helsinki returns for another awesome event. Check out the amazing attendee experiences in this social mega-post.

Show Up for Greatness

Show up, experience greatness, and use Core Value #3 to Open The Door for others to experience it, too!

Remember: Business Should Be Fun!

A reminder to take a moment and fulfill Core Value #4

Founder Feature: Jaci McCormack of Rise Above

Founder Feature: Jaci McCormack, Rise Above. Her incredible efforts and the support she’s attracted will inspire you.

Announcing Our 2025 Prime Time Pitch Challenge Regional WInners!

Voting for the Prime Time Pitch Challenge has ended, and we have our winners! Find out who advances to the Prime Time regional finals.

When You Show Up, People Open The Door

A great Founders Live story about showing up IRL and someone deciding to Open The Door.

Founders Live Tampa Bay Recap

Relive the launch of Founders Live Tampa Bay through the words of our city leader, the St. Pete Catalyst, and our first event winner!

🎙️ Pitch 🎙️

Get on stage in your city!

Apply to Pitch

🙌 Lead 🙌

Lead your local community!

Apply to Lead

🛟 Solve 🛟

Get past founder problems!

Get Unstuck

🤝 Partner 🤝

Help founders succeed!

Find out more

// Find Your Connection

A man is standing on stage holding a microphone and a remote, giving a presentation. There is a large screen beside him displaying the text 'Founders Live' with an image of a crowd of people cheering and raising their hands. The stage is lit with blue lighting and there are ceiling-mounted lights above.

/ 99-Second Pitch competitions

/ Cities / Center Stage / Athletes / Prime Time

We gather in 150+ cities around the world to connect with each other and hear founders pitch their innovations and stories.

YOUR VOTE determines who wins prizes, prestige, a chance to appear in the global Prime Time competition, and ultimately the Prime Time Global Finals!

Find a city near you

See Events

Events List

Aug 8

Founders Live Cairo

Our premier pitch competition and networking event returns to Egypt!