NYC Startup Community
Navigating the competitive startup scene in New York City can be daunting. Don’t face the challenges alone. Join Founders Network and surround yourself with a supportive community of seasoned NYC tech founders who understand the unique demands of the city’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Our Local Leadership Team
I'm the co-founder of Tanooki Labs, a 30-person New York product studio that has been the technical co-founder for startups and growth companies since 2013. We do product strategy, design, and full-stack development, and since 2024 we've been AI-first: strategic AI discovery, rapid prototyping, and production deployment of AI-powered products and agent workflows. I also lead AllSpark, our platform for planning and building full-stack applications with coding agents, and I run hands-on build sessions and hackathons (Vibe Camp, the Slow Ventures Creator Fund hackathons) that take founders who have never written code to a deployed app in two days. Before Tanooki: Computer Science degree, GE's technology leadership program, rapid prototyping at AOL Ventures, and a string of startups. I'm the Chapter Director for FN NYC and co-host the monthly AI OpsLab. Ask me about building with coding agents, putting AI into an operating company, or what it really costs to ship a product.
Doug Lessing, as a speaker and longtime partner of multiple tech companies over the past 30 years, has made it his life’s work to evangelize the importance of using business as force for good in a fractured world. As the Founder of his latest venture, Phin®, a philanthropic tech platform and certified BCorp, he is an advocate for companies being great by doing good. Phin® models the BCorp ethos of using business as a force for good while helping companies build great teams and company culture by incorporating positive values and social good into their daily actions.Doug was born and raised along the Great South Bay of Long Island, NY and now resides in Blue Point, known for its oysters and beer. Married to his wife Grace, with 3 Gen-Z daughters, Alexie, Jillian and Lindsay, Doug has been surrounded, outnumbered and influenced by strong women. This positive influence has encouraged him on his quest to be an exponential force for good and compassion, creating a more equitable, healthy and peaceful world for future generations.
Experienced founder with background in enterprise GTM (first deals with Mutual of Omaha and Metlife), product and fundraising. MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with a background in finance and entrepreneurship. Multilingual and a global traveler. Passionate about data-driven decision-making, team leadership, and driving innovation in emerging markets. Open to connecting with professionals who share a vision for impactful product development and strategic growth.
Building Enso (AI context layer for Slack/email/calendar/docs/tickets). Co-founded NodeStar: AI product studio, $1.2M+ revenue in 2025, 100K+ end users. Prior: 6 years at Cornerstone Research (litigation/regulatory finance + strategy).
The NYC startup scene
New York City is the #2 startup ecosystem in the world, behind only Silicon Valley, in Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026.
The profile counts $163 billion in venture funding from 2021 to 2025 and $20 billion in early-stage funding over the last two and a half years. New York ranks #3 globally in the AI-native cluster, and CoreWeave is among its best-funded startups. Startup Genome lists AI, life sciences and climate technology as the city’s sector strengths.
Founders Network in NYC
Founders Network is a peer mentorship community for tech startup founders. Members get mentorship from other founders, chapter events, and introductions to investors and founders across a global network.
The New York City chapter is run by volunteer member leaders, who are listed on this page. Members in the city meet at chapter events.
Meet us in NYC
Membership is by nomination and approval. Request an invitation and we'll review your background. If it's a fit, we arrange a nomination and invite you to the Nominee Preview Q&A, a 30-minute Zoom where current members walk through how Founders Network works and take questions. The next one is Thursday, November 19 at 9:30 AM PT.
Request an invitationAlready nominated? RSVP to the Nominee Preview.
NYC resources and communities
New York City (NYC) is a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial spirit. The city offers a wealth of resources and communities that support startups and foster innovation.
Venture Capital Firms: NYC is home to a robust network of venture capital firms that provide essential funding and support to startups. Notable firms include Union Square Ventures, First Round Capital, and Bessemer Venture Partners. These firms offer financial backing, expertise, and valuable connections to help startups thrive.
Startup Incubators and Accelerators: NYC hosts a variety of renowned startup incubators and accelerators that provide comprehensive support and resources. Techstars NYC, ERA (Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator), and NYU Tandon Future Labs are prominent examples. These programs offer mentorship, funding, and access to a vast network of entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
Co-working Spaces: The city boasts numerous co-working spaces tailored to the needs of startups. Locations such as WeWork, Alley, and The Wing offer flexible office solutions, collaborative environments, and networking opportunities. These spaces provide a supportive community and access to amenities that foster growth and productivity.
Networking Events and Meetups: NYC is a hub for networking events and meetups that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. Events like TechCrunch Disrupt, NYC Tech Meetup, and Startup Grind NYC offer platforms for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and valuable connections within the startup community.
Frequently asked questions
What startup events can I attend in New York City before joining?
Chapter events are open to guests by invitation. The New York City chapter has met roughly monthly over the last year, from coffee connects to happy hours, and also hosts a monthly online AI operations workshop. Request an invitation and we'll send you the next date. Your first event is on us with a one-time guest pass. Upcoming dates are on the events page.
How do I get a feel for the members before I apply?
Listen to our podcast. It features the network's most successful members telling the story of how they built and sold their companies. Most members are somewhere along that journey, from first-time founder to serial founder, and the episodes show the kind of founder they are learning from.
Is Founders Network a New York City group or a global one?
Global. Founders Network started in San Francisco in 2011 and now has city chapters and sector groups around the world, with the largest concentration of members in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Most of the program is online and runs every week: facilitated peer roundtables, live expert sessions, moderated founder forums, and 1-1 introductions to members in any city. Members meet in person at the annual conferences, fnIRL and fnSummit. The New York City chapter adds local meetings on top of that, and they are a small part of the whole. The full program is on the mentoring tracks page.
Who are the members?
Founders of tech startups at every point on the journey, from a first company getting to market to serial founders who have exited. Each is nominated and approved, and what we select for is alignment with the network's values and vision rather than stage or sector. Members join to find customers, raise their first rounds, hire co-founders and early teams, and work through the hard parts of running a company with peers who have done it.
Can Founders Network help me raise money?
Founders Network can make you a more competent and better-connected fundraiser. It can't guarantee funding. The Scale plan is built for founders getting to market and raising seed: 1-on-1 pitch mentoring from VCs, a curated investor directory with warm opt-in introductions, and a pass to fnIRL, the annual San Francisco conference. On every plan you can ask the forums and get introduced to members who have raised at your stage. Plan details are on the membership page. Pricing is shared on approval.
How do I join Founders Network in New York City?
Membership is by nomination and approval. Request an invitation and we'll review your background. If it's a fit, we arrange a nomination and invite you to an info call with current members. All memberships are annual, and we never take equity.
Get an invitation to the community.
Founders Network is an invite-only peer mentorship community for tech startup founders. Drop your email — we'll take it from there.
No spam. We review every request individually.