founderpeergroups

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Alternatives to YPO

Founders look past YPO when they miss the bar, want a different format, or need a different stage mix. Early-stage or Series A founders below the revenue/headcount bar, or founders who age out of the primary membership path.

Ranked alternatives

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

Comparison table

RankGroupCostStage fitWhy listed
1The Founders ForumNo membership fee (potluck; optional donations)Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stagein-person format vs hybrid; 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 stagestaff-convened vs peer-led; stage fit: Series A, Growth, Late stage.
3Alliance of Chief Executives$750 one-time enrollment + $11,000 annual dues (monthly/quarterly opt…Series A, Growth, Late stagein-person format vs hybrid; paid facilitator vs peer-led; stage fit: Series A, Growth, Late stage.
4VistageNot publishedSeries A, Growth, Late stagepaid facilitator vs peer-led; stage fit: Series A, Growth, Late stage.
5Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)Global dues published as US$2,470 (apply page) vs US$2,630 (chapter p…Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growthstage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth.
6FounderNexusNot publishedPre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stageventure-specific focus; staff-convened vs peer-led; stage fit: Pre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stage.
7HamptonNot publishedSeries A, Growth, Late stageventure-specific focus; in-person format vs hybrid; paid facilitator vs peer-led.

YPO vs the top alternatives

FieldYPOThe Founders ForumSpeakeasy Mastermind (Los Angeles)Alliance of Chief Executives
Formathybridin-personhybridin-person
Structurepeer-led forumpeer-led forummastermindfacilitated forum
Facilitationpeer-ledpeer-ledstaff-convenedpaid facilitator
Group sizeChapter forums (exact size varies; not a single published number)Not publishedNot publishedAbout 12 per Alliance Group (target ~8 in-meeting)
Stage fitGrowth, Late stagePre-seed and seed, Series A, Growth, Late stageSeries A, Growth, Late stageSeries A, Growth, Late stage
Revenue / capital floorUSD 16M+ sales (or agency USD 13M / financial institution USD 330M AUM / enterprise value USD 27M), plus 50 FTEs or 15+ FTEs with USD 2.75M payroll.None 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 aboveNot published as a numeric floor; membership is fit-based, not balance-sheet gated
Annual costUSD 4,790 one-time initiation + USD 4,790 annual global dues; local chapter dues extra and unpublishedNo 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.$750 one-time enrollment + $11,000 annual dues (monthly/quarterly options). Charged only after first private-group meeting confirms fit.
Application modelapplicationapplicationapplicationinvite-only
Venture-specificNoNoNoNo
Other requirementsUnder age 45 at join (exceptions on apply form for women to 54 and Black CEOs); top operational leader with full P&L and hire/fire authority.Current 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 conductQualified leadership position (CEO / senior leaders); personal fit interview; confidentiality and no-selling principles
Time commitmentChapter forum and events; global events (EDGE, GBS) optionalWeekly in-person gatherings alternating Bee Cave and Downtown AustinOne monthly local ~3-hour meetup; optional annual summitAbout 40 hours/year on Alliance participation (site claim); private group meetings plus roundtables/dinners
GeographyGlobal chaptersAustin, TXLos Angeles chapter; drop-in at other Speakeasy city chaptersSan Francisco Bay Area / Northern California / Silicon Valley
Best forChief executives who clear a high revenue and headcount bar and want a large global leadership community with local chapters.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.Bay Area CEOs who want confidential, facilitated strategic peer forums with industry-diverse operators.
Not forEarly-stage or Series A founders below the revenue/headcount bar, or founders who age out of the primary membership path.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.Pre-revenue founders seeking a startup-only room, or anyone unwilling to invest significant annual time.
Last verified2026-09-142026-09-152026-09-152026-09-15

Full YPO profile

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