As we kick off 2026, it feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on what this community continues to build — and where we’re headed next. First off, StartupExperts recently surpassed 2,400 members!

Supported by 90+ all-volunteer leaders who generously give their time to help this community thrive, we hosted 120+ events (more than 250 when including New Member Orientations and Private Leader Circle meetups), exchanged 120,000+ Slack messages, and continued to grow across 25 global chapters, including new launches in Barcelona and Bangalore over the past year. We also celebrated our eighth birthday — a milestone that speaks to the depth, durability, and trust this community has built over time.

What continues to stand out isn’t just growth, but participation. StartupExperts has never been about being the biggest community — it’s about being one where people show up for one another. Whether it’s making introductions, sharing hard-earned lessons, or volunteering time and energy to help a peer, the Go-Giver spirit remains at the heart of what we do.

That spirit is especially visible in how the community grows. In 2025, 15 members emerged as our top referrers, personally inviting peers they respect into StartupExperts. These introductions weren’t driven by incentives, but by genuine belief in the value of the community. Member-led growth like this helps preserve what makes StartupExperts special — trust, relevance, and a shared commitment to contributing, not just consuming.

To support this work while keeping StartupExperts free to join, we partner with a small and trusted group of organizations that align deeply with our mission. In 2026, we’re grateful to continue working with Clarinet AI, Network Right, Manifest Law, and Bereave, and to welcome Ashby, Offsite, and Sequoia as new Community Partners.

We’re also excited to introduce a new Platinum Partner program — a limited partnership tier designed to support the long-term sustainability of the community. We’re deeply thankful to Sparrow and Pebl (formerly Velocity Global) for their commitment in 2026, helping underwrite all 120+ StartupExperts events this year.

Lastly — this spring, we’re launching a new round of Private Leadership Circles—small, confidential peer groups designed to help StartupExperts members think through real leadership challenges alongside trusted peers. Circles meet weekly for 1 hour over 5–8 weeks (March 2–April 24) and are built for deep discussion, shared learning, and relationship-building. Participation requires consistent attendance and active engagement.

As always, StartupExperts is shaped by the people who choose to participate in it. Thank you for continuing to show up — for one another, for the community, and for the work of becoming better together.

With strong momentum, committed partners, and an engaged leadership team, we’re excited about what lies ahead. There’s a lot to build in 2026 — and we’re just getting started.

Applications to join are open at www.StartupExperts.us—let’s keep building together!