Thinking of starting a business or ready to grow your side hustle? This is the event for ambitious founders and entrepreneurs who want to learn from those who’ve done it. Join us on Tuesday, 8th April for an exclusive session with successful founders who’ve gone from securing seed funding to hitting £1 million in ARR – and learn exactly how they did it. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to grow from idea to income, insights on building a thriving community around your business, and advice on defining the ‘WHY’ behind successful brands. No fluff – just real, actionable advice and key takeaways you can apply immediately to your own business or community. Don’t miss your chance to learn the pivotal moves that drive revenue growth.
This is our new monthly event series in partnership with Maslow’s at One Warwick Street, London. This intimate and inspiring gathering is designed for creative founders who are shaping industries, challenging norms, and redefining success.
Each month, we’ll bring together visionary founders for candid fireside chats and in-depth interviews, uncovering the real stories behind their journeys – the highs, the hard lessons, and the game-changing insights they wish they knew from the start. Expect honest conversations covering everything from securing funding to hiring your first employee, navigating failure, and what truly happens when you reach success.
Beyond inspiration, you’ll leave with practical advice and actionable takeaways to help you grow, adapt, and thrive in your own entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re a startup founder, creative entrepreneur, or future leader, this series is your opportunity to connect, learn, and level up alongside a dynamic community.
Located in a Neo-Baroque mansion on a dynamic corner of London’s storied Soho, 1 Warwick is a members’ House inspired by Maslow’s theory of human motivation and happiness. Set over six floors, 1 Warwick is home to beautifully designed workspaces, members’ lounges, event spaces, a studio and gym – as well as a rooftop restaurant and bar with sweeping views of the neighbourhood, which has played muse to centuries of creatives.
Doors open at 6 PM
6:30 PM Intro and welcome from David Loughlan, Founder @ Founders500
6:35 PM 1x 15 min lightning talk by Lakechia Jeanne, Founder @ Girls In Science
6:50 PM Comfort break
7:00 PM 1 hour interview with a founder series + audience Q&A with Ashley Staines, Co-Founder @ Volunteero
8:00 PM Networking
Doors close at 9 PM
Ashley Staines, Co-Founder @ Volunteero
Ashley is at the forefront of transforming the volunteer management landscape. Volunteero is a cutting-edge CRM designed specifically for charities, streamlining the entire volunteer process — from onboarding and scheduling to communication and tracking. Since its launch, the platform has facilitated the equivalent of around ten years’ worth of volunteering hours and continues to drive incredible impact.
In this candid session, Ashley will share the personal side of entrepreneurship — the trials of starting a company, the tough decisions around whether to pursue VC funding, and what it really takes to succeed, whether it’s your first or second time founding a business.
Ashley’s innovative approach has already caught the attention of major venture capital firms and some of the UK’s biggest charities, including Citizens Advice, Oxford NHS Trust, and Age UK. His insights on building a successful tech-for-good platform and scaling impact-driven solutions are not to be missed.
Lakechia Jeanne, Founder @ Girls In Science
Lakechia is a trailblazing founder, public speaker, and leader in the science communication space, dedicated to empowering the next generation of women in STEM. Through Girls In Science, she’s built a thriving international community that focuses on female educational empowerment, industry networking, and career development in science and technology.
GIS runs regular events nationally, providing women with the tools, confidence, and connections they need to succeed in STEM fields. Lakechia’s passion for sharing knowledge and supporting women in their career journeys has made a lasting impact, and her insights on building a purpose-driven community. Join us to hear Lakechia’s inspiring story and learn how she turned her vision into a movement.
About Us
Founders500 is the place for creative founders to come together, share cutting edge ideas and level up their skills. We run monthly events, meetups and festivals in the UK!
At Founders500, our name embodies the essence of community transformation and momentum. We recognise that the journey from a small gathering to a thriving, impactful community hinges on reaching key thresholds of engagement. Founders500 is a safe space where new and established founders, as well as future founders, come together to collaborate, support one another, and learn. Around 50–150 participants often marks the moment when a group begins to formalise its identity, shared purpose, and collective energy.
At 500 members, a critical mass is reached where diversity flourishes, sub-communities emerge, and real change becomes possible. Founders 500 represents this tipping point—a movement where connection, innovation, and growth thrive.
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