Last verified
Founders Network vs Vistage
Founders Network is a hybrid community platform with peer-led. Vistage is a hybrid facilitated forum with paid facilitator. This page compares cost, requirements, format, and stage fit using verified public data. Founders Network: Full-time tech startup founders who want a vetted peer community and stage-tiered mentoring without giving equity. Vistage: CEOs and owners who want a Chair-facilitated confidential peer group with coaching, across a wide range of company sizes.
Side-by-side
| Field | Founders Network | Vistage |
|---|---|---|
| Format | hybrid | hybrid |
| Structure | community platform | facilitated forum |
| Facilitation | peer-led | paid facilitator |
| Group size | Peer Advisory Roundtables: 10 to 12; community 600+ | 12 to 16 |
| Stage fit | Pre-seed and seed, Series A | Series A, Growth, Late stage |
| Revenue / capital floor | No single floor; tiers by experience — Launch (pre-revenue–$10K / self-funded–$100K raised); Scale ($10K–$1M / $100K–$3M raised); Lead ($1M+ / $3M+ raised). | Chief Executive program: $5M+ revenue / typically 20+ employees. Small Business program: $1–4M revenue. |
| Annual cost | Launch $75/mo; Scale $134/mo; Lead $249/mo (annual commitments). Lifetime plan amount Not published. | Not published |
| Application model | invite-only | application |
| Venture-specific | Yes | No |
| Other requirements | Full-time tech startup founder (no service firms); invite-only with membership committee approval; no selling/pitching. | CEO/owner peer groups of non-competing members; Chair-led. Qualify via form. |
| Time commitment | Flexible; 100+ events/year available; Lead includes monthly peer roundtables | Monthly peer group meetings plus monthly 1:1 with Chair; speakers and events |
| Geography | Global chapters including SF, Silicon Valley, LA, Seattle, Vancouver, NYC, London | Global chapters; local groups |
| Best for | Full-time tech startup founders who want a vetted peer community and stage-tiered mentoring without giving equity. | CEOs and owners who want a Chair-facilitated confidential peer group with coaching, across a wide range of company sizes. |
| Not for | Service-firm operators, non-founders, or people looking to sell inside the network. | Founders who need a venture-scale-only room or who reject paid facilitators. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-15 | 2026-09-14 |
Verdict by stage
Pre-seed and seed
At Pre-seed and seed, Founders Network lists this stage. Vistage does not. The fit is Founders Network for this stage band.
Series A
At Series A, both list this stage. Founders Network is venture-specific. Vistage is broader. The fit is Founders Network when you want a venture-scale room; Vistage when you want a wider peer mix.
Growth
At Growth, Vistage lists this stage. Founders Network does not. The fit is Vistage for this stage band.
Late stage
At Late stage, Vistage lists this stage. Founders Network does not. The fit is Vistage for this stage band.
FAQ
- How much do Founders Network and Vistage cost?
- Founders Network: Launch $75/mo; Scale $134/mo; Lead $249/mo (annual commitments). Lifetime plan amount Not published. (verified 2026-09-15). Vistage: Not published (verified 2026-09-14). Prices are shown verbatim from public sources; nothing is estimated.
- What are the requirements for Founders Network vs Vistage?
- Founders Network: No single floor; tiers by experience — Launch (pre-revenue–$10K / self-funded–$100K raised); Scale ($10K–$1M / $100K–$3M raised); Lead ($1M+ / $3M+ raised). Full-time tech startup founder (no service firms); invite-only with membership committee approval; no selling/pitching. Vistage: Chief Executive program: $5M+ revenue / typically 20+ employees. Small Business program: $1–4M revenue. CEO/owner peer groups of non-competing members; Chair-led. Qualify via form.
- Which is better for venture-backed founders?
- Founders Network is venture-specific. Vistage is not. The fit is Founders Network when you want a venture-scale room.
Sources
Primary public pages used for the fields above.
- foundersnetwork.comRetrieved 2026-09-15 · Founders Network
- foundersnetwork.com/benefitsRetrieved 2026-09-15 · Founders Network
- foundersnetwork.com/media-kitRetrieved 2026-09-15 · Founders Network
- vistage.comRetrieved 2026-09-14 · Vistage
- vistage.com/membershipRetrieved 2026-09-14 · Vistage
- vistage.com/membership/programs/chief-executive-programRetrieved 2026-09-14 · Vistage
- vistage.com/membership/programs/small-business-programRetrieved 2026-09-14 · Vistage