founderpeergroups

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Alternatives to Vistage

Founders look past Vistage when they miss the bar, want a different format, or need a different stage mix. Founders who need a venture-scale-only room or who reject paid facilitators.

Ranked alternatives

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

Comparison table

RankGroupCostStage fitWhy listed
1Alliance of Chief Executives$750 one-time enrollment + $11,000 annual dues (monthly/quarterly opt…Series A, Growth, Late stagein-person format vs hybrid.
2Speakeasy Mastermind (Los Angeles)$5,995/year (includes monthly meetups, private app, national referral…Series A, Growth, Late stagestaff-convened vs paid facilitator.
3The Founders ForumNo membership fee (potluck; optional donations)Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stagein-person format vs hybrid; peer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stage.
4Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)Global dues published as US$2,470 (apply page) vs US$2,630 (chapter p…Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growthpeer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth.
5FounderNexusNot publishedPre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stageventure-specific focus; staff-convened vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stage.
6HamptonNot publishedSeries A, Growth, Late stageventure-specific focus; in-person format vs hybrid.
7YPOUSD 4,790 one-time initiation + USD 4,790 annual global dues; local c…Growth, Late stagepeer-led vs paid facilitator; stage fit: Growth, Late stage.

Vistage vs the top alternatives

FieldVistageAlliance of Chief ExecutivesSpeakeasy Mastermind (Los Angeles)The Founders Forum
Formathybridin-personhybridin-person
Structurefacilitated forumfacilitated forummastermindpeer-led forum
Facilitationpaid facilitatorpaid facilitatorstaff-convenedpeer-led
Group size12 to 16About 12 per Alliance Group (target ~8 in-meeting)Not publishedNot published
Stage fitSeries A, Growth, Late stageSeries A, Growth, Late stageSeries A, Growth, Late stagePre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stage
Revenue / capital floorChief Executive program: $5M+ revenue / typically 20+ employees. Small Business program: $1–4M revenue.Not published as a numeric floor; membership is fit-based, not balance-sheet gatedMust 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 aboveNone stated; founders at every stage welcome
Annual costNot published$750 one-time enrollment + $11,000 annual dues (monthly/quarterly options). Charged only after first private-group meeting confirms fit.$5,995/year (includes monthly meetups, private app, national referrals, digital resources, event discounts, annual summit). City Founders Rate Not published.No membership fee (potluck; optional donations)
Application modelapplicationinvite-onlyapplicationapplication
Venture-specificNoNoNoNo
Other requirementsCEO/owner peer groups of non-competing members; Chair-led. Qualify via form.Qualified leadership position (CEO / senior leaders); personal fit interview; confidentiality and no-selling principlesInvitation-only after application + fit call; attend a meeting before finalizing; confidentiality code of conductCurrent or past founder who built a business from the ground up; must love Jesus (Christ-centered fellowship); Austin-based
Time commitmentMonthly peer group meetings plus monthly 1:1 with Chair; speakers and eventsAbout 40 hours/year on Alliance participation (site claim); private group meetings plus roundtables/dinnersOne monthly local ~3-hour meetup; optional annual summitWeekly in-person gatherings alternating Bee Cave and Downtown Austin
GeographyGlobal chapters; local groupsSan Francisco Bay Area / Northern California / Silicon ValleyLos Angeles chapter; drop-in at other Speakeasy city chaptersAustin, TX
Best forCEOs and owners who want a Chair-facilitated confidential peer group with coaching, across a wide range of company sizes.Bay Area CEOs who want confidential, facilitated strategic peer forums with industry-diverse operators.Established LA entrepreneurs who want a high-bar monthly in-person mastermind plus multi-city network access.Austin founders who want weekly in-person peer support integrating business, leadership, faith, and family — without dues.
Not forFounders who need a venture-scale-only room or who reject paid facilitators.Pre-revenue founders seeking a startup-only room, or anyone unwilling to invest significant annual time.Pre-revenue or sub-threshold founders, or people seeking a venture-only peer room.Founders seeking a secular or venture-only peer board, or remote-only participation.
Last verified2026-09-142026-09-152026-09-152026-09-15

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