Starting a company is tough—and the journey can be isolating. That’s where MadSmarts Founder Boards come in. Our Founder Boards are trusted peer groups that bring together like-minded founders to share insights, solve challenges, and keep each other accountable. Each board is designed to provide practical, no-fluff support, helping you stay focused, overcome obstacles, and grow both as a leader and a founder.
The Founder Board is…
A Community of Founders Fostering Collaboration and InnovationThe Founders Board is a thoughtfully designed community of founders from diverse stages and non-competitive companies. This convergence of perspectives and expertise cultivates collaboration and innovation within the board.
Learn
Connect
Grow
Founders and entrepreneurs often seek opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge. The Founders Board offers top-notch CEO education and speaker sessions tailored to support founders in their growth journey. These sessions provide valuable insights and strategies from experienced leaders, helping founders navigate the challenges of building and scaling a successful business.
Membership in the Founders Board grants access to a unique community spanning from Colorado to across the globe. Whether your question is simple or complex, it's likely someone in the community has the answer. With access to a dedicated online community and quarterly gatherings, you'll connect with fellow founders who share a sense of optimism and drive.
Monthly individual board meetings provide founders with a platform to share experiences and collectively tackle challenges. Professionally facilitated sessions focus on discussing pressing issues facing founders and identifying root causes. Additionally, each founder can opt for a dedicated coach who offers personalized guidance. These coaches work one-on-one with founders, focusing on developing specific skills needed to excel and expand their capabilities in their roles.
Built for Founders Like you…
“Being a Founder can be a wild roller coaster that can feel isolating and lonely and thrilling and exciting. I really value being a part of a committed group of seasoned Founders and entrepreneurs who are all committed to seeing each other succeed personally, professionally, mentally, and in business. Chris has curated a special group with Founders Board and I’m honored to be a part of the founding group”
“Chris is passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed as it is hard as a founder and can get lonely with limited support. The Founders Board is a way for us as serial entrepreneurs to support our visions. If you are looking for great resources to grow your business consider being part of a great group of entrepreneurs.”
““My Founder’s Board is a resource for entrepreneurs seeking to take their company to new levels. As a founder, you have to align your vision with your own persona and the many and varied stakeholders you become interdependent upon. Mathias’ leadership session this month was profound in this respect. I woke up this morning feeling like I was shot out of a cannon. Highly recommend.””
“As someone who’s been through the entrepreneurial journey a couple of times, I can attest to the challenges and isolation that often come with building a business. That’s why I’m so impressed with the Founders’ Board.. It’s a community of seasoned founders coming together to nurture and propel each other’s visions forward. For any entrepreneur seeking valuable resources and a supportive ecosystem to scale their venture and navigate the ups and downs knowing that support is behind them, I strongly suggest exploring becoming a member in Founders’ Board. The collective wisdom and camaraderie here are truly transformative for both your business and personal growth. And Chris is one in a million.”
Interested in joining a Founder Board
WTF?
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You’ve probably been to hundreds of Founder “networking” events. They’re fun and energetic, but it’s hard to form real connections between music, beer, and Chris’ loud voice! The Founder Board is designed for Founders to build real connections and create a community of support.
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Description teWithout honesty, growth is impossible. At work, a Founder's bad day can ripple through the entire organization. You may feel compelled to "put on an act" to hide your true feelings.
Our group provides a safe space for you to be authentic. You can openly discuss business challenges and address their emotional impact. It's okay to admit when you're unsure which direction to take because each of us has been there before, and we're dedicated to supporting you.xt goes here
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This is a Founders only group.
Your role as a Founder/CEO is crucial. Employees, customers, investors, and stakeholders all rely on you. The success of your company hinges on the quality of your decisions. Many of your team members may say they understand your job, but few can grasp the enormity of your responsibilities.
Founder/CEOs often feel isolated and lonely.
But you are not alone. Spending time with fellow Founder/CEOs, you'll likely find that your stressors are not unique to you. We've all faced similar problems and are here to guide, help, and support you through those difficult decisions.
Simply put, to be successful, you need to find a community.es here
What’s the purpose?
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We inherently understand that our skills and abilities play a crucial role in determining the fate of our companies. As your company grows, changes, or evolves, the skills that made you successful in one phase of its life will likely not be the skills you need for the next.
Yet, we often neglect investing in our own learning and development. Why is this?
Our group is dedicated to providing a platform for you to identify, learn, and hone new skills. We provide learning opportunities designed specifically for Founder/CEOs.
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We Grow
Despite the abundance of information available, no book, video, or podcast can fully teach you how to be a leader. Leadership development is too intricate for a one-size-fits-all approach. It necessitates deep self-reflection, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and discovering your unique leadership style. This journey cannot be undertaken alone; you require a coach.
Research indicates that founders who work with coaches achieve better business outcomes than those who do not. Your job often requires you to put on your coaching hat to help your team grow, but we believe you deserve the same dedication and care that you seek to give your employees.
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If you're not enjoying what you do, perhaps it's time to seek a different path. While the work may be challenging, it can also be incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable.
We focus on the reasons behind our work and assist you in establishing balance, alignment, and even joy in carrying out one of the toughest roles in the world.
How Does it Work?
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The board meets monthly in person. While each board can determine their schedule the meetings typically run from 10 AM - 3 PM. The day is divided into two sections:
Morning: Learning Session—We will hear from experts selected based on the group's interests and needs. These learning sessions are designed around the unique challenges of being a CEO or founder and are tailored to build and hone the skills needed to be an effective leader for your organization.
Afternoon Executive Session- The group participates in a facilitated session designs to unlock the collective wisdom of a room full of Founders to identify and solve the most pressing challenges the members face.
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Fill out the form below and we’ll invite you to our next meeting as a free introductory session.
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By joining the Founder Board, you commit to
Time - You must be willing and able to commit the time to the group.
Hosting Responsibility - You will be responsible for hosting a meting. While we will provide the location we'll ask you to buy lunch and prepare a host presentation.
Financial - There is an a small monthly fee used to pay for lunch and the room.