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January 9 @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am PST
FreeStartup Bootstrapping from Scratch to Acquisition with Jeremy Clarke
Tech startups are often characterized by a traditional narrative that features venture capital funding and hockey stick growth. However, Jeremy Clarke’s entrepreneurial journey challenges this conventional narrative.
In 2011, Jeremy founded WebMerge, a document automation software platform. When the startup was acquired eight years later by Formstack in 2019, it was valued at $100 million. Jeremy’s story is one of slow and steady growth, unwavering customer focus, and the power of startup bootstrapping.
Around 80% of startups opt for bootstrapping as their primary method of business development. Bootstrapping is a strategy for launching and scaling a company that doesn’t rely on external investments or funding. Instead, it entails the entrepreneur using their own savings and deploying inventive financial tactics to sustain and grow their business, making it a self-reliant and self-sufficient journey to success.
In his global keynote for Founders Network on January 9, Jeremy will share how he grew WebMerge to $2 million ARR before even making his first hire. He’ll also share why he had a laser focus on customers and how prioritizing their needs enabled him to scale.
Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT
Join us for opening remarks with Dina Fattom, Member Success Manager at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.
Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT
Jeremy Clarke is an entrepreneur, investor, father, and actions-sports enthusiast. Starting his first business in high school and others throughout the years, he’s always had the drive and determination to create a highly profitable business. Jeremy enjoys building things from scratch and solving complex problems with simple solutions.
He was the founder of WebMerge, a document automation software platform, with thousands of customers around the world that grew to millions in profit and sold for many millions more.
Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT
Complimentary Ticket:
Are you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership.
About Founders Network:
Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here
Confidentiality Policy
All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
Testimonials
If you don't have a cohort group in something like Founders Network that you can develop long-term relationships with and discuss the same topics that come up with people that you already know, you're probably missing out on something very important.
David Plonsky
The number one advantage is the law of compound interest. The longer you stay in a very high-quality network the strong and more authentic relationships you build.
Chaitanya Vaidya
We know each other's business and we know each other's struggles. Having a personal relationship with other founders that is completely confidential and completely authentic gives you a lot of great advice.
Doug Lessing
FN manages my network for me by connecting me with other founders in my specific industry sector. I've been able to explore business development opportunities, partnerships, etc.
Becky Splitt
We just saw the first Mexican unicorn come to life this same week which is a fantastic idea. Being part of the Founders Network makes a lot of sense. We see that the Mexico City chapter is growing substantially.
Max Linares
There's a lot of great stuff going on even now in San Francisco. I've found Founders Network has been a great resource for me and for all of the founders I know during these tough times.
Jarie Bolander
It allowed me to meet people who had done this before that had the experience. I was able to explain an issue very briefly and they were able to give me a very detailed response on how they addressed it.
Terence Finn
I've used the platform to discover advice, connections, resources, discounts, on important services, connections to investors, and practice on how to pitch. The kind of conversations you can't get anywhere else on youtube or google searches.
Alexandra Greenhill
I see Founders Network as one of those necessary resources in the Chicagoland area.
Jason Jacobsohn
