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Alternatives to Alliance of Chief Executives

Founders look past Alliance of Chief Executives when they miss the bar, want a different format, or need a different stage mix. Pre-revenue founders seeking a startup-only room, or anyone unwilling to invest significant annual time.

Ranked alternatives

  1. The Founders Forum · peer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stage.
  2. Speakeasy Mastermind (Los Angeles) · hybrid format vs in-person; staff-convened vs paid facilitator.
  3. Vistage · hybrid format vs in-person.
  4. Hampton · venture-specific focus.
  5. Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) · hybrid format vs in-person; peer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth.
  6. FounderNexus · venture-specific focus; hybrid format vs in-person; staff-convened vs paid facilitator. FounderNexus site
  7. YPO · hybrid format vs in-person; peer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Growth, Late stage.

Comparison table

RankGroupCostStage fitWhy listed
1The Founders ForumNo membership fee (potluck; optional donations)Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stagepeer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stage.
2Speakeasy Mastermind (Los Angeles)$5,995/year (includes monthly meetups, private app, national referral…Series A, Growth, Late stagehybrid format vs in-person; staff-convened vs paid facilitator.
3VistageNot publishedSeries A, Growth, Late stagehybrid format vs in-person.
4HamptonNot publishedSeries A, Growth, Late stageventure-specific focus.
5Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)Global dues published as US$2,470 (apply page) vs US$2,630 (chapter p…Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growthhybrid format vs in-person; peer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth.
6FounderNexusNot publishedPre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stageventure-specific focus; hybrid format vs in-person; staff-convened vs paid facilitator.
7YPOUSD 4,790 one-time initiation + USD 4,790 annual global dues; local c…Growth, Late stagehybrid format vs in-person; peer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Growth, Late stage.

Alliance of Chief Executives vs the top alternatives

FieldAlliance of Chief ExecutivesThe Founders ForumSpeakeasy Mastermind (Los Angeles)Vistage
Formatin-personin-personhybridhybrid
Structurefacilitated forumpeer-led forummastermindfacilitated forum
Facilitationpaid facilitatorpeer-ledstaff-convenedpaid facilitator
Group sizeAbout 12 per Alliance Group (target ~8 in-meeting)Not publishedNot published12 to 16
Stage fitSeries A, Growth, Late stagePre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stageSeries A, Growth, Late stageSeries A, Growth, Late stage
Revenue / capital floorNot published as a numeric floor; membership is fit-based, not balance-sheet gatedNone stated; founders at every stage welcomeMust meet at least one: >$1M net revenue (gross minus direct COGS); OR owner net income ≥ $250K; OR senior executive at $10M+ company; OR recent exit that met aboveChief Executive program: $5M+ revenue / typically 20+ employees. Small Business program: $1–4M revenue.
Annual cost$750 one-time enrollment + $11,000 annual dues (monthly/quarterly options). Charged only after first private-group meeting confirms fit.No membership fee (potluck; optional donations)$5,995/year (includes monthly meetups, private app, national referrals, digital resources, event discounts, annual summit). City Founders Rate Not published.Not published
Application modelinvite-onlyapplicationapplicationapplication
Venture-specificNoNoNoNo
Other requirementsQualified leadership position (CEO / senior leaders); personal fit interview; confidentiality and no-selling principlesCurrent or past founder who built a business from the ground up; must love Jesus (Christ-centered fellowship); Austin-basedInvitation-only after application + fit call; attend a meeting before finalizing; confidentiality code of conductCEO/owner peer groups of non-competing members; Chair-led. Qualify via form.
Time commitmentAbout 40 hours/year on Alliance participation (site claim); private group meetings plus roundtables/dinnersWeekly in-person gatherings alternating Bee Cave and Downtown AustinOne monthly local ~3-hour meetup; optional annual summitMonthly peer group meetings plus monthly 1:1 with Chair; speakers and events
GeographySan Francisco Bay Area / Northern California / Silicon ValleyAustin, TXLos Angeles chapter; drop-in at other Speakeasy city chaptersGlobal chapters; local groups
Best forBay Area CEOs who want confidential, facilitated strategic peer forums with industry-diverse operators.Austin founders who want weekly in-person peer support integrating business, leadership, faith, and family — without dues.Established LA entrepreneurs who want a high-bar monthly in-person mastermind plus multi-city network access.CEOs and owners who want a Chair-facilitated confidential peer group with coaching, across a wide range of company sizes.
Not forPre-revenue founders seeking a startup-only room, or anyone unwilling to invest significant annual time.Founders seeking a secular or venture-only peer board, or remote-only participation.Pre-revenue or sub-threshold founders, or people seeking a venture-only peer room.Founders who need a venture-scale-only room or who reject paid facilitators.
Last verified2026-09-152026-09-152026-09-152026-09-14

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