The chances of making your first million purely on your own skills are pretty slim.
But that’s not a bad thing.
Even the best entrepreneurs can’t build successful businesses all on their own. Most, if not all, simply get the right guidance and support. They watch, learn, and take inspiration from other experienced entrepreneurs in high-quality communities. They help squeeze every drop of value from available opportunities.
In this post, we’ve listed our personal favorite entrepreneurship communities that provide real value.
The Top Communities For Successful Entrepreneurs
- The Snowball Club
- Dynamite Circle
- eCommerceFuel
- Indie Hackers
- Hampton
- Entrepreneurs’ Organization
- Smart Passive Income
- SaaS Founders
- Nomad List
- The Sweaty Startup
1. Snowball (also called The Snowball Club)
Snowball is a place where successful entrepreneurs turn their attention to investing and share knowledge and opportunities.
It’s a hub for tech startup founders and other entrepreneurs who’ve made it and are now focused on investing and living abundantly.
Founded by Travis Jamison, this private, members-only network is designed for the high-fliers of the startup world. There, members discuss everything from stocks, crypto, real estate, and online businesses to AI, travel, personal growth, and well-being.
However, Snowball has a main focus on unique investment opportunities like micro private equity, private credit, and DeFi.
What They Offer
For a quarterly fee of $300, members gain access to an exclusive platform featuring:
- Monthly chats with experts
- A weekly newsletter filled with insights
- First-hand deal flow information
- Special offers for members
With this community, every participant offers unique deals or opportunities. In return, they tap into a pool of resources shared by others.
Not For Beginners
Note that Snowball isn’t for beginners still on the startup grind.
It’s a space where seasoned entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders blend their journey of financial success with personal development.
While finance is the foundation, equal emphasis is placed on personal growth, health, and strong relationships. It’s where you can connect, share knowledge, and gain insights on the things that matter to you.
In a nutshell, the Snowball Club is an environment where every member is both a teacher and a learner.
2. Dynamite Circle
The Dynamite Circle is a unique startup community where location-independent young entrepreneurs and future founders from across the globe come together.
It was founded in 2011 by Ian Schoen and Dan Andrews.
Since then, this community has become a hotspot for entrepreneurs who crave the freedom of a nomadic lifestyle without sacrificing business success.
With a choice between an annual plan ($499/year) or a quarterly plan ($147/quarter), the Dynamite Circle offers quite an experience.
But, not just anyone can join. Your application is reviewed by an Application Committee.
What They Offer
Once inside, there are plenty of benefits:
- You’ll meet established founders from various industries and experience levels.
- Share the common goal of thriving as digital nomads.
- Get to attend real events, including monthly local meetups in over 10 cities worldwide.
Annual Events
But the real highlights are the two annual events in Mexico City and Bangkok. These five-day gatherings attract over 300 entrepreneurs and are packed with expert talks, workshops, and mastermind sessions.
In addition to these events, the Dynamite Circle offers a private online forum and the chance to join mastermind groups with entrepreneurs.
These platforms provide ongoing support and knowledge sharing.
That’s essential for any entrepreneur looking to build a business that allows the freedom of a digital nomad lifestyle.
3. eCommerceFuel
eCommerceFuel is an elite community tailored for startup entrepreneurs who already dominate the online retail sector.
Designed exclusively for owners of 7- and 8-figure eCommerce stores, this group is a goldmine of shared knowledge and networking opportunities.
What Makes eCommerceFuel Different
- Meticulous vetting process, ensuring discussions are always high-quality and relevant.
- A strict policy on not accepting beginners or vendors, maintaining a focus on experienced sellers.
- A vast searchable archive of business-related topics with thousands of new comments monthly.
The eCommerceFuel Community Features
- A detailed member directory where you can connect with over 1,200 successful entrepreneurs by location, niche, or software used.
- In-depth case studies, a podcast, and a blog providing current insights from others’ experiences.
- An extensive review directory with over 20,000 unbiased reviews on software, agencies, and SaaS vendors.
- Member-exclusive discounts on various eCommerceFuel partner services.
- Local meetups in over 20 cities, adventure trips, and partner conferences.
- A flagship event – eCommerceFuel Live, for great networking and learning experiences.
To join, you must own an eCommerce store grossing over a million bucks and be ready to actively participate in online communities. The membership fee is $149/month.
There’s also a special 8-figure tier at $299/month for those with revenues exceeding $10 million. This upper tier offers access to a private sub-group and an exclusive annual event.
4. Indie Hackers
Indie Hackers, established by Channing and Courtland Allen, is a dynamic online community where over 41,000 entrepreneurs and startup founders of successful online businesses come together.
It’s a place where every member runs a unique company, eager to share their experiences and strategies.
This startup community is an incubator of business growth ideas.
It’s where global connections are made, and digital conversations evolve into exciting local meetups. It’s also a diverse forum where topics range from marketing strategies to personal interests, creating a fertile ground for collaboration and mutual growth.
What They Offer
Here, creativity and innovation are at the forefront. The platform offers resources like:
- A scientific guide for goal setting.
- Comprehensive support for starting your business.
- A products section to explore what others are building, sparking inspiration for your next venture.
- A content library packed with interviews, podcasts, and growth bites, offering insights into common entrepreneurial challenges.
In Indie Hackers, feedback, challenges, and wins are shared openly, creating a real-time, interactive learning experience. Follow other members’ projects or share your own, benefit from the collective wisdom, and enrich your skills with the support of a global community.
Free But Exclusive
Membership is free yet exclusive, requiring an invitation from an existing member. Once in, you’re part of an ecosystem full of fantastic ideas, great partnerships, and hundreds of success stories, all important for startup founders.
Whether it’s through local meetups, networking events, or learning sessions, this amazing community is an ideal platform for anyone looking to start or enhance their journey in the online business realm.
5. Hampton
Hampton is an elite, invite-only startup community catering to the creme of the crop in the entrepreneurial world.
Not For Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The community is an exclusive enclave for startup founders and CEOs who have reached significant milestones: $1M in revenue, $3M in funding, or the successful sale of a startup. It was founded in 2023 by Sam Parr and Joe Speiser and now has over 300 members.
Hampton operates as a personal board of advisors consisting of founders facing similar challenges and triumphs.
What They Offer
On joining, you are integrated into a group of eight other startup founders with comparable business sizes and types. This group, guided by an expert executive facilitator, meets monthly. There, like minded individuals exchange their expertise and practical advice.
The community doesn’t just stop at discussions. It expands its horizons with learning events like workshops and networking opportunities through monthly dinners and annual retreats.
These gatherings open up opportunities to expand knowledge and professional networks, and create meaningful relationships among members.
Additionally, Hampton offers:
- Tangible benefits with popular software companies, tools, and apps.
- Exclusive perks and discounts with companies like Stripe, Notion, Airtable, Twilio, Bubble, SendGrid, and more.
- Access to a carefully selected vendor database.
Membership comes with a price tag of $8,500 per year, but the value it offers is unmatched.
6. Entrepreneurs’ Organization
Since its inception in 1987 by 22 forward-thinking entrepreneurs, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) has grown into a global powerhouse.
It guides business owners past the million-dollar revenue mark not just in earnings but in wisdom and value too.
All about Peer-to-peer Networking
EO is an oasis for entrepreneurs who have reached or surpassed the $1 million annual revenue milestone. The community offers a unique blend of educational programs, straightforward conversations, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Main Feature Offers of EO:
- Exclusive access to private peer meetings, forums, and global events.
- A platform to refine leadership skills through local committees, global advisory roles, and board positions.
- Opportunities for social entrepreneurship, appealing to those who strive to make a positive impact.
- A VIP pass to over 30 top-tier hospitals in the US, ensuring members’ health is never a barrier to success.
As an EO member, you’ll be able to attend strategic programs designed for today’s leaders and participate in regional mentorship programs. You’ll get to truly enjoy a mix of local, regional, and global events.
Membership criteria are clear: you must be invited, hold a significant ownership stake, and meet the financial thresholds – crossing the $1 million revenue mark for traditional businesses.
The initiation fee is $2,500, followed by an annual fee of $2,470. That’s a small price for the immense benefits EO offers.
7. Smart Passive Income
Founded in 2008 by Pat Flynn, the Smart Passive Income (SPI) community is a nurturing ground for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to build and grow successful online businesses.
It’s a global network where startup-phase entrepreneurs gather, united by the common goal of shaping a business that reflects their vision.
What They Offer
The core of SPI consists of:
- Access to training materials and participation in mastermind sessions. These resources are key for entrepreneurs who want to learn from those who walk a similar path.
- AMAs and hands-on workshops, designed to improve skills and provide insights essential for the startup grind and making it big in the online business world.
- Opportunities for earning passive recurring income by promoting SPI’s digital products.
- Series of courses on idea generation to brand building. Pat Flynn himself has curated these courses (starting at $199) to provide actionable steps to monetize your passions.
- A free brand-building course, offering a taste of what SPI brings to the table.
The SPI community is a space where you can ask questions, validate ideas, practice pitches, and grow in a supportive environment. It’s about focusing on what truly matters in the realm of online business, away from noise and distractions.
Joining SPI involves an application process, followed by a monthly membership fee of $49, or a yearly option at $490.
8. SaaS Founders
Peter Loving is the guy behind SaaS Founders – a free Facebook group dedicated to the world of Software as a Service (SaaS).
With over 15,000 members, this platform is where founders and executives of SaaS companies come to share insights, seek advice, and connect.
To become a part of this community, you need to be actively involved in a SaaS company and answer specific admission questions. That’s how the moderators ensure a focused and relevant member base.
The group’s ethos is centered around meaningful, spam-free interactions. Product promotions, beta user searches, and link sharing are off-limits. The goal is to create a space that’s rich in valuable conversations and free from noise.
What They Offer
Saas Founders is a community under the umbrella of UserActive, an agency known for crafting UX/UI interfaces for SaaS products. So, naturally, the group’s members can all benefit from its valuable resources:
- A YouTube channel – updated weekly with content diving into product creation and growth strategies.
- A blog full of insightful articles.
- A free eBook on product growth.
As in other communities for entrepreneurs, here you can ask questions, exchange tips, and gain support on all your SaaS-related queries.
Whether it’s through the Facebook group or the additional resources provided by UserActive, SaaS Founders can be your go-to destination for connecting with like-minded professionals and enhancing your SaaS business expertise.
9. Nomad List
Pieter Levels’ brainchild, Nomad List is a haven for the modern traveler and remote worker.
With over 32,000 community members, it’s a comprehensive platform offering an array of tools and resources tailored for globe-trotters and online business owners.
Unlike most online startup communities, Nomad List provides essential research tools allowing members to find their ideal destinations. You can filter by interests, locations, and lifestyles, connecting with like-minded nomads across the globe.
What The Platform Offers
- Detailed city guides.
- Cost of living data.
- Coworking space information.
- Tailored job opportunities.
- Quality of life index for over 195 countries.
This wealth of information makes it an invaluable tool for planning remote work setups and travel itineraries.
But Nomad List is more than just a resource hub.
It’s a community that thrives on connectivity. Through Slack Pro and Discord channels, members share job opportunities, travel experiences, and current local updates.
Additional Perks
- A sophisticated tracking platform to organize your journeys and track your progress.
- A Financial Independence Calculator to manage your finances effectively while on the move.
- Organized meetups in various locations, offering opportunities to connect with fellow nomads in real life through brunches, coworking sessions, and official events.
For a one-time fee of $79.99, you gain lifetime access to Nomad List’s suite to make your nomadic life more manageable and connected.
There’s even a unique dating section for those seeking companions who share a passion for travel.
10. The Sweaty Startup
Founded in 2019 by Nick Huber, the Sweaty Startup is a free community dedicated to empowering startup entrepreneurs in the service-based business sector.
With a membership surpassing 120,000, it’s an energetic hub of activity and insight. It’s primarily centered around a subreddit – r/SweatyStartup and an excellent YouTube channel.
The r/SweatyStartup community is a fertile ground for discussions on all aspects of service-based startups. Members actively engage on the subreddit, asking questions, sharing experiences, and offering valuable advice.
What They Offer
Nick Huber, the mind behind Sweaty Startup, further enriches the community with his content. He hosts two weekly podcasts – The Sweaty Startup Podcast, focusing on small business insights, and The Nick Huber Show, delving into real estate investing.
These podcasts, along with a weekly newsletter, are treasure troves of fresh perspectives and practical tips for anyone looking to start, operate, or grow a service-based business.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on starting your venture or just aiming for business growth, the Sweaty Startup offers a platform to learn, connect, and thrive. The subreddit is a repository of content recommendations and shared wisdom from a diverse, global community.
Additionally, the weekly podcasts and newsletters ensure you’re always in the loop with the latest strategies and success stories in the world of service-based startups.
What We Look For In Startup Communities
A good entrepreneur community is characterized by a blend of elements that foster growth, innovation, collaboration, and support among its members.
Here are some key features that make for a good entrepreneur community:
Diverse Membership
Get together with other entrepreneurs at various stages of their business journey, from different sectors, and with diverse backgrounds, enhances learning and cross-pollination of ideas.
Collaborative Environment
A culture that encourages sharing of knowledge, resources, and experiences. This includes mentorship opportunities, where experienced entrepreneurs guide the newer ones.
Access to Resources
Availability of essential resources such as funding opportunities, business tools, and services that can help entrepreneurs scale their businesses.
Networking Opportunities
Regular events, meetups, and online forums that facilitate connections, partnerships, and collaboration among community members. A good community might offer a Slack community or similar tool for easy commmunication between members.
Educational Programs and Workshops
Learning opportunities that cover a range of topics relevant to entrepreneurship, such as business planning, marketing, finance, and legal issues.
Supportive Culture
A community that offers emotional support, motivation, and encouragement, especially during the challenging phases of business development.
Innovation and Creativity
Encouraging innovation and creative thinking among its members, including fostering a willingness to take calculated risks.
Open Communication
A platform for open and honest communication, where feedback is welcomed, and members can share their successes and failures without judgment.
Global Perspective
Inclusion of international members or events that offer a global perspective on business, helping local entrepreneurs think and act globally.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Encouraging businesses to consider their impact on society and the environment, promoting sustainable and ethical practices.
These features not only help entrepreneurs to grow their businesses but also contribute to the development of a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Your Turn
Now that we’ve gone through the best startup communities, the ball is in your court.
Each one offers a unique blend of resources, networking opportunities, and learning experiences. Whatever your goal is as a startup founder, there’s a space that resonates with your needs and values.
So, take the next step. Explore these communities further. Apply for membership, engage in their forums, or tune into their podcasts. You can even follow some of the best entrepreneurs on social media.
Remember, the path to success is often walked together, and these communities are the companions you need to get there.
