Chapter 06 — The room next door

A small community, mostly by invitation, almost always in person.

Founder Circles meet four times a year, in small rooms, in small cities. No stage, no moderator, no deck. We have found this is the quickest way to feel less alone in the work.

House rules
I.

No stage

There is no panel, no keynote, no moderator. Everyone speaks and everyone listens, in turn.

II.

No press

Nothing said in the room is published. We do not even take notes.

III.

No pitch

We are not raising. You are not raising. If you are, please come another time.

IV.

Bring the thing you do not say

The Circles are for the parts of the work that do not fit on LinkedIn.

The Circles, this year.

  • Spring
    April 2026

    Lisbon

    Eight founders, two days, one quiet villa above the river. Theme: endings.

  • Summer
    July 2026

    Edinburgh

    Ten founders, a long Saturday, a bookshop after hours. Theme: first hires.

  • Autumn
    October 2026

    Mexico City

    Twelve founders, three evenings, no schedule after 9pm. Theme: reinvention.

  • Winter
    January 2027

    Kyoto

    Six founders, six days, one ryokan, mostly silent. Theme: legacy.

Or, the longer route

Become a contributor.

If you have a story like the ones we publish, write to us. Contributors are read in the room before they ever sit in it - it is one of the more reliable ways into a Circle.