20 Best Communities for Entrepreneurs and SaaS Founders

Here are the 20 best online communities for entrepreneurs and SaaS founders! Connect with like-minded innovators, exchange insights, and grow your startup. Find the perfect platform to boost your business and gain valuable mentorship. Explore now!

20 Best Communities for Entrepreneurs and SaaS Founders

If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to reach your destination, go with a community of like-minded people.

As a founder, you can’t work alone on this path. You must leverage other founders’ and successful people’s experience, connections, and influence in your industry.

That’s the power of belonging to a community. Joining a community will help you receive honest feedback that will help you improve your products or services.

At Saylo, a customer feedback platform, we have prepared this article to explain the benefits of belonging to a community and provide a list of popular startup communities for founders that you can join globally, free and paid.

Benefits of Joining Founder Communities

Here are the major benefits founders enjoy in communities.

1. Experience Sharing and Getting Advice

Getting the right advice on time can save your project from going into bankruptcy and facing future legal battles.

Founder communities are perfect places to share expertise. Founders often ask questions, share tips, and discuss business challenges with others who understand their struggles.

For instance, a founder facing scaling issues might get advice from someone who has already navigated that stage.

2. Access to Valuable Resources

These communities always provide startup resources like checklists, cheat sheets, books, and special offers. Members gain access to exclusive platforms and resources designed to foster networking and collaboration among entrepreneurs.

You might find useful findings like statistics or lifehacks that can improve your business operations.

For instance, discovering a free tool for customer feedback could save you time and money.

3. Mentorship Opportunities

YCombinators and several other communities offer mentorship programs, training sessions, and access to educational content like podcasts or courses, giving you a chance to learn from those in your shoes.

4. Exposure and Brand Visibility

Founder groups are a great space to introduce your product and promote your brand.

Some founders have built an early audience by sharing their startup journey, getting real-time feedback, and refining their offerings.

5. New Connections and Partnerships

These spaces help you meet potential business partners and collaborators.

Many even offer co-founder matching features, making it easier to connect with like-minded fellow entrepreneurs.

6. Staying Updated on Industry Trends

Founder communities keep you informed about the latest trends and industry news, helping you stay ahead in a fast-paced business environment.

7. Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

Funding is tough for startups, but founder communities often connect you with investors. Most of them have very rich connections with top-tier investors.

After building relationships in the group, you may get the chance to pitch your idea for funding. Some founders have even found their lead investors through these networks.

8. Learning from Case Studies

A lot of founders share their business stories and case studies in these communities. This helps you to learn from real-world examples and avoid common pitfalls.

For instance, reading about a founder’s journey through a failed product launch could offer insights for your next campaign.

YCombinators always share many founders' journeys and case studies on their YouTube.

9. Collaborative Problem-Solving

When challenges arise, the community can help brainstorm solutions. Whether it’s hiring or scaling, you’ll often find fellow founders willing to share their expertise.

Experience people in the community are always there to help if you are bold enough to ask questions.

10. Access to Exclusive Tools and Discounts

Some founder communities provide members access to exclusive tools, discounts, or special deals that can help grow your business.

For instance, you might find a discounted software subscription essential for scaling your operations.

List of 20 Best Online Startup Communities For Startup Founders

  1. Indiehacker

  2. Product Hunt

  3. /r/startups (Subreddit)

  4. YCombinators

  5. WIP by BetaList

  6. Nomad List

  7. Startup Grind

  8. Growth Mentor

  9. Founders Network

  10. No Code Founders

  11. Lakta SaaS Hackers

  12. Founders Beta

  13. Future Founders

  14. Startup Sauce

  15. Product-Led Alliance

  16. StartupNation

  17. Headstart

  18. GrowthHackers

  19. Venturz Startup Community

  20. Meetup

  21. SaaS Club

1.Indiehacker

Indiehacker was created by Courtland Allen in August 2016. It's a free online platform to connect with professionals such as developers, growth strategists, project managers, designers, writers, and business owners.

The community is large and highlights transparency, experience-sharing, and mutual support.

It's an online forum with plenty of resources on the news page and many groups you can join, such as Startups or the Product Launch Group.

You can also find a website with podcasts, participate in discussions on the forum, view numerous new products, and learn about establishing and expanding online products.

Here's a link for you to join the community.

2. Product Hunt

Product Hunt is a global community of startup founders, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts.

It is a platform where members can discover, share, and discuss the latest tech products, services, and innovations.

With over 400,000 users, Product Hunt is one of the largest and most active startup communities in the world.

Members can submit their own products, provide feedback on others, and engage in discussions with fellow entrepreneurs.

Product Hunt hosts events, meetups, and conferences, providing founders opportunities to network, learn, and grow.

They also give backlinks to the website of the founder who submitted their project.

3. YCombinators

Founded: 2005

Founder: Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Trevor Blackwell, Robert Tappan Morris

What to Know: Y Combinator Startup School offers free resources for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The platform provides courses, mentorship, and access to its extensive network, helping founders launch and scale startups.

YC is best known for backing successful companies like Airbnb and Dropbox.

YCombinator is one of the best startup communities, and you should belong to it if you want to fast-track your growth.

Cost: Free

Here's a link to their free resources on YouTube.

4. r/startups

/r/startups is a vibrant subreddit where startup founders and entrepreneurs converge to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and discuss innovative concepts.

The community also maintains an active Discord server for real-time interaction among community members.

Key Details:

  • Audience: Entrepreneurs, startup founders, CEOs, and aspiring founders
  • Activity Level: Very high, with frequent and engaging discussions
  • Cost: Free to join

How to Join: Register via Google or email to become part of the subreddit community.

The quality of discussions is generally high, with minimal spam or promotional content, ensuring a focused and valuable experience for all members.

5. WIP by BetaList

WIP is an initiative by BetaList, founded by Alan Gertner, a well-known figure in the startup community.

BetaList was started by a group of entrepreneurs who aimed to help early-stage startups gain visibility and traction.

WIP (Work in Progress) by BetaList provides a space for entrepreneurs to showcase their developing projects and receive feedback from a community of peers and early adopters.

It’s a dynamic platform where founders can share their work-in-progress products, gather valuable insights, and engage with a supportive audience.

The community thrives on collaboration and constructive critique, making it a crucial resource for startups seeking to refine their ideas before launch.

6. Nomad List

Nomad List was founded by Pieter Levels, an entrepreneur known for creating tools and online communities that support remote work and digital nomad lifestyles.

Nomad List is tailored for digital nomads and remote workers building businesses while travelling.

It offers a comprehensive directory of cities worldwide, highlighting the best places to work remotely based on things like cost of living, internet speed, and quality of life.

The community aspect allows members to connect with other remote entrepreneurs, share experiences, and find inspiration in their location-independent journeys.

7. Startup Grind

Derek Anderson founded Startup Grind. Both founders had a vision of creating a global network that fosters connections among tech startup founders through local chapters, supporting these entrepreneurs in various aspects of their journey, including networking, mentorship, and investment opportunities.

Startup Grind is a worldwide community that connects entrepreneurs through a series of local chapters and events.

Its core aim is to educate, inspire, and connect founders through networking events, talks, and panel discussions featuring successful entrepreneurs and industry experts.

Startup Grind emphasizes personal connections and mentorship, providing a platform for entrepreneurs to learn from each other and build valuable relationships.

8. Growth Mentor

Founded: 2018

Founder: Foti Panagiotakopoulos

What to Know: GrowthMentor is a platform that connects startup founders with growth marketing experts.

It offers one-on-one mentorship sessions focused on scaling startups. Founders can receive personalised advice on marketing, customer acquisition, and business growth.

Cost: Paid (subscription-based)

9. Founders Network

Founders Network is a global community built to support tech startups by offering peer-to-peer mentorship, enabling business growth without requiring equity in return.

The platform provides startups with access to life-cycle mentorship, allowing founders to tap into the knowledge of experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

Key features of Founders Network include:

  • Mentorship from successful entrepreneurs to help navigate business challenges.
  • Investor mentor programs offer guidance on fundraising from experienced tech investors.
  • Over 100 events annually, including tech summits and virtual meetups, allowing members to connect and learn from industry leaders.

Exclusive discounts on popular software and tools essential for growing startups.

Founders can join by invitation only (membership applications can be submitted on their website).

Membership fees start at $75 per month.

10. No Code Founders

No Code Founders is a vibrant community for entrepreneurs who prefer using no-code tools to build their solutions instead of diving into custom software development.

Ideal for non-technical founders, this platform offers a wealth of resources to help you create and launch your products without coding expertise.

What you can expect:

  • Free membership provides access to a wealth of resources and networking opportunities.
  • Connect with like-minded founders who share your approach and challenges.
  • Get answers to your questions and practical advice on no-code product development.
  • Explore tutorials and guides on popular no-code tools to help you get started.
  • Engage in discussions and exchange ideas in a private Slack community.
  • Access exclusive interviews and webinars featuring industry experts.

Joining is free, making tapping into a supportive network and enhancing your no-code skills easy.

11. Lakta SaaS Hackers

Latka SaaS Hackers is a big network of SaaS entrepreneurs, CEOs, and investors. It provides exclusive access to great data, insights, and lessons from top SaaS firms and experts.

Members enjoy significant perks, including:

  • Exclusive deals are valued over $60K on software and services from top partners like Drift, SkillShare, and AWS.
  • High engagement within the community, offering continuous support and interaction with like-minded founders.
  • Access to AMAs with industry experts, answering pressing questions and sharing in-depth knowledge.

Audience: SaaS founders, CEOs, and investors

Perks: $64K+ in deals and discounts

Events: Regular AMAs with top SaaS leaders

Cost: $499 annually

How to join: Apply to become a member.

12. Future Founders

Future Founders was established by a team led by Derrick Braziel and his partners, who are passionate about nurturing young entrepreneurs and supporting their growth.

Future Founders is dedicated to helping young and aspiring entrepreneurs build their businesses.

It offers in-person events, digital networking opportunities, and mentorship programs.

The community is designed to provide guidance and resources to entrepreneurs in the early stages of their journey, focusing on fostering talent and supporting the next generation of founders.

13. Startup Sauce

Startup Sauce was created by a group of SaaS industry veterans and startup enthusiasts, including co-founders with significant experience in the space.

It's a niche community focused on startups of SaaS (Software as a Service).

It provides a platform for SaaS founders and enthusiasts to discuss industry-specific challenges, share strategies, and access resources tailored to SaaS businesses.

The community emphasizes learning from peers and industry experts, making it an essential resource for those in the SaaS sector.

14. Product-Led Alliance

Product-Led Alliance was founded by Wes Bush, a well-known advocate of product-led growth strategies and the author of "Product-Led Growth."

It's a community focused on the principles of product-led growth, where the product itself drives user acquisition, expansion, and retention.

It offers members various resources, including guides, podcasts, and certification programs.

The community fosters connections among product leaders and entrepreneurs interested in leveraging product-led strategies to drive business success.

15. StartupNation

Founder: StartupNation was co-founded by Jeff and Rich Sloan, two experienced tech entrepreneurs, who wanted to support startup founders through valuable resources and advice.

It's a comprehensive resource hub for entrepreneurs. It provides a wealth of information, including articles, webinars, and tools covering various aspects of starting and growing a business.

The platform caters to both new and seasoned entrepreneurs, offering practical advice and insights to help them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.

16. Headstart

Headstart was founded by a team of entrepreneurs and mentors focusing on supporting early-stage startups and emerging business leaders.

Headstart is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through mentorship and community support.

It offers a platform for networking, learning, and growth, connecting founders with industry experts and potential collaborators.

The community focuses on helping startups gain traction, providing resources and opportunities startup entrepreneurs to help them achieve their business goals.

17. GrowthHackers

GrowthHackers

Founder: GrowthHackers was founded by Sean Ellis, a growth marketing expert known for coining "growth hacking" and his work with successful startups.

GrowthHackers is centred around growth marketing and scaling strategies. Entrepreneurs and marketers can discuss data-driven growth tactics, share insights, and learn from successful case studies.

The community emphasises practical strategies and innovative approaches to scaling successful businesses, making it a valuable resource for those focused on growth and marketing.

18. Venturz Startup Community

Venturz is a vibrant community where entrepreneurs, founders, and creators unite to turn their startup ideas into thriving businesses.

With a focus on collaboration, Venturz provides a platform for founders to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Venturz believes in the power of networking and mentorship to smooth the entrepreneurial journey.

The community helps founders by connecting them with mentors, investors, and advisors other entrepreneurs who have faced similar challenges.

Venturz offers a comprehensive array of resources, including:

  • Startup events and networking opportunities.
  • Access to funding and investment opportunities.
  • Essential tools and startup hacks to help businesses grow.

Whether you're seeking advice, tools, or connections, Venturz aims to equip founders with everything needed to succeed.

19. Meetup

Meetup is a platform designed for entrepreneurs to connect, seek advice, and explore new partnerships in a relaxed, informal setting.

It's perfect for those looking to conduct customer research, discover like-minded collaborators, and enjoy social interactions outside the office.

Best for: Conducting customer research and finding partners with similar interests.

20. SaaS Club

SaaS Club is a dedicated space for SaaS entrepreneurs to find support and build connections.

Whether you're a newcomer or an experienced founder, this community provides valuable opportunities to collaborate and share insights.

SaaS Club aims to make essential information accessible and offer all SaaS company founders learning opportunities.

Best for SaaS companies and their founders.

Conclusion

If you're a founder who wants your startup to grow and become globally recognized.

Networking is an indispensable part of what you should be doing.

Joining a community of like-minded founders will help you secure mentorship that can not be bought with money.

Community helps you get honest feedback about what you are building.

Saylo is a user feedback platform built to help you know your user pain points.

It helps you simplify the process of creating feedback, collecting and analysing it to improve your product.