Where like-minded founders connect

An exclusive community for founders of scale-ups beyond £1m. No sales. No ego.

Some of our members
At a glance
400+
Members
£21m
Average annual revenue
20
Years since our first event

What you'll get

Find your peers

Access inspiration and ideas from our diverse mix of members. We’re made up of over 400 founders turning over between £1m - £100m.

Solve your challenges

Join rich conversations at our intimate round-table events, learn from your peers in our online sessions and connect with fellow founders at special experience events.

Form lasting friendships

Your Forum group will become your sounding board for decisions big and small, accelerating your growth to the next level.

Our members

Jo Geraghty
Culture Consultancy

They coordinate this amazing group, facilitate the discussions we need to have and use their years of expertise to support us at all stages of our business journey.

Rob Hamilton
The Instant Group/littleparmoor

I have been a member of Helm for 15+ years and joining was the biggest single thing I did to help grow a business fast - through all the ups and downs to exit.

Kemi Madumere
Compass Supported Living and Domiciliary Care

When I went to my first event the conversations were so rich. Because of the members experiences and knowledge.

Adam King
SwipeStation

Together we are so much stronger.

Jo Geraghty
Culture Consultancy

They coordinate this amazing group, facilitate the discussions we need to have and use their years of expertise to support us at all stages of our business journey.

Rob Hamilton
The Instant Group/littleparmoor

I have been a member of Helm for 15+ years and joining was the biggest single thing I did to help grow a business fast - through all the ups and downs to exit.

Kemi Madumere
Compass Supported Living and Domiciliary Care

When I went to my first event the conversations were so rich. Because of the members experiences and knowledge.

Adam King
SwipeStation

Together we are so much stronger.

Jo Geraghty
Culture Consultancy

They coordinate this amazing group, facilitate the discussions we need to have and use their years of expertise to support us at all stages of our business journey.

Rob Hamilton
The Instant Group/littleparmoor

I have been a member of Helm for 15+ years and joining was the biggest single thing I did to help grow a business fast - through all the ups and downs to exit.

Kemi Madumere
Compass Supported Living and Domiciliary Care

When I went to my first event the conversations were so rich. Because of the members experiences and knowledge.

Adam King
SwipeStation

Together we are so much stronger.

Peter Dolukhanov
Decoded

The advice I have received in the reasonably short time I've been a member has been profound.

Nicola Shimwell
Dialogue

It’s a fantastic space to meet like-minded people and get support. It’s so much more than a networking vehicle.

Amanda Nurse
Carterwood

Helm has transformed my outlook, enabling me to navigate obstacles with newfound ingenuity. And the support from my forum group is unparalleled. Under the creative guidance of our Chair, Richard, stimulating debates ensue, and the collective wisdom of fellow business owners enriches each session, ensuring that I learn something new every time.

Bruce Bratley
First Mile Recycling

It’s great to be challenged by other members and get help on areas you’re struggling with.

Peter Dolukhanov
Decoded

The advice I have received in the reasonably short time I've been a member has been profound.

Nicola Shimwell
Dialogue

It’s a fantastic space to meet like-minded people and get support. It’s so much more than a networking vehicle.

Amanda Nurse
Carterwood

Helm has transformed my outlook, enabling me to navigate obstacles with newfound ingenuity. And the support from my forum group is unparalleled. Under the creative guidance of our Chair, Richard, stimulating debates ensue, and the collective wisdom of fellow business owners enriches each session, ensuring that I learn something new every time.

Bruce Bratley
First Mile Recycling

It’s great to be challenged by other members and get help on areas you’re struggling with.

Peter Dolukhanov
Decoded

The advice I have received in the reasonably short time I've been a member has been profound.

Nicola Shimwell
Dialogue

It’s a fantastic space to meet like-minded people and get support. It’s so much more than a networking vehicle.

Amanda Nurse
Carterwood

Helm has transformed my outlook, enabling me to navigate obstacles with newfound ingenuity. And the support from my forum group is unparalleled. Under the creative guidance of our Chair, Richard, stimulating debates ensue, and the collective wisdom of fellow business owners enriches each session, ensuring that I learn something new every time.

Bruce Bratley
First Mile Recycling

It’s great to be challenged by other members and get help on areas you’re struggling with.

Adam Blomerley
Quick Release

My forum colleagues helped us to prove our eligibility for US payment protection programme, worth $300k.

Clare Harris
Talking Tables

Helm offers a unique forum to discuss with other founders who are inevitably facing similar challenges. Helm makes doing business a continuous learning experience and a less lonely place.

Julia Beran
The Vintner

Being part of an inspiring community of business leaders who support and challenge one another, as well as the opportunity to learn directly from each other's businesses, something that is pretty unique.

David Haylor
Internal Audit Connections

I've looked at other networks where I could be connected with other scale up Founders and couldn’t find anything as good as Helm.

Adam Blomerley
Quick Release

My forum colleagues helped us to prove our eligibility for US payment protection programme, worth $300k.

Clare Harris
Talking Tables

Helm offers a unique forum to discuss with other founders who are inevitably facing similar challenges. Helm makes doing business a continuous learning experience and a less lonely place.

Julia Beran
The Vintner

Being part of an inspiring community of business leaders who support and challenge one another, as well as the opportunity to learn directly from each other's businesses, something that is pretty unique.

David Haylor
Internal Audit Connections

I've looked at other networks where I could be connected with other scale up Founders and couldn’t find anything as good as Helm.

Adam Blomerley
Quick Release

My forum colleagues helped us to prove our eligibility for US payment protection programme, worth $300k.

Clare Harris
Talking Tables

Helm offers a unique forum to discuss with other founders who are inevitably facing similar challenges. Helm makes doing business a continuous learning experience and a less lonely place.

Julia Beran
The Vintner

Being part of an inspiring community of business leaders who support and challenge one another, as well as the opportunity to learn directly from each other's businesses, something that is pretty unique.

David Haylor
Internal Audit Connections

I've looked at other networks where I could be connected with other scale up Founders and couldn’t find anything as good as Helm.

Hear from our members

“I can very quickly and very easily have a conversation that adds value.”

John Stapleton
Founder, New Covent Garden Soup Co.
Hear from our members

“The secret's in the sauce for Helm, you get these insights very candidly from other businesses, that you wouldn't get anywhere else.”

Christine MacKay
CEO and Founder, Salamandra.uk
Success Story

“Helm is like my friendly board who help me navigate difficult situations and choices.”

Geoff van Sonsbeeck
Founder and CEO at Baukjen & Isabella Oliver

Take the next step on your founder’s journey

So what happens when I join?
Interview with the Helm team

Speak to the Helm team to help us understand you, your challenges and to make sure you're a fit for Helm.

Connect at our in-person events

Experience the rich conversations at our in-person events. Connect with others at a similar stage and be inspired by those further along their journey. All in intimate private dining rooms to give you the best experience in the company of up to 9 other founders.

Crowdsource advice on our digital platform

Ask “that” question on our online community platform to over 400 founders who get it. Connect with the right founder to hear their experience and take action; saving you time or helping you be inspired faster than before.

Learn from an expert in digital events

Our expert led digital events are focused on subject specific learning in a way that uses your time efficiently. Join discussions with the expert and other founders from their desk or home.

Join your Forum

Within three months you'll join your Forum. Chaired by an experienced Helm member, the Forum meets 10 times a year and includes six to eight founders. Forums develop deep relationships and allow members to get challenge, accountability and inspiration from a group acting like a non-exec board and a group of critical friends.

Give back to other founders

Have you stepped back from your business or exited? Our later stage members gain a huge amount of personal value and development from mentoring founders earlier on their journey and meeting fellow founders at a similar stage.

Frequently asked questions

Who should apply?

Helm members are founders of established, high-growth businesses. Many have been with us as they took the journey from scale-up through to exit or stepping away from the business. We welcome applications to join from founders of any stage from scaling (£1-10m, 10 staff), through scaling and stepping back (£10M-£20M / 100+ staff) to life after your business.

What is the time commitment?

You get out of Helm what you put into it. There are multiple ways to get value from accessing the experience of other members in our digital community, to attending Forum (for 3 hours per month) to attending our digital or in-person events but there is no fixed time commitment. But you will get more value from Helm the more you spend time sharing insights and experience with fellow members.

How many events are there?

We run 2 to 3 events per week but do not expect you to come to them all. We put on a variety of events to help members with different challenges and interests. We normally see members come to an event every 1 to 2 months.

Will this be a distraction?

No. One additional benefit that Helm members often mention is how a tip, insight or piece of wisdom from a fellow member has saved them repeating mistakes made by others. Helm can help you navigate a better route to business success.

I’m fairly well connected and plugged into other communities, do I need this?

We have a lot of respect from the entire founder ecosystem. But from experience, each network offers something unique. If you’re looking to support business growth and develop your own personal journey to health, wealth and your positive legacy, there isn’t a better place than Helm.

Will members be trying to sell to me?

Helm was founded in 2003 to create a space for founders to have open and honest conversations, without being sold to. A lot has changed since those early days, but our 'Give and Get' ethos has held true. Helm started as a reaction to the feeling of being sold to at networking events and we protect that feeling every day for our members.

I work in corporate finance/law/recruitment, is this community for me?

No. While our members might be your target market, we’re a network for pioneering founders. Our events are a safe space for members to share experiences and be open and honest with other founders and to learn from each other. We don’t accept non-founder staff as members.

What are the Guiding Values of Helm?

You can view our Guiding Values here, including the Give and Get ethos which shapes everything we do and ask of members. To summarise though we are inspired and driven by growth. We want to help our members succeed in their journey of business and personal growth that creates positive impact and delivers more than it takes.

B Corp Certified

“I am delighted to see that Helm are actively supporting their scale-up founders in their quest to deliver both innovation AND impact in their markets. Becoming a B Corp requires businesses to meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. If you are a founder of an established business, Helm are big advocates of the B Corp movement, and the power of business for delivering good. They already have a significant proportion of their members certified or going through the process”

James Perry, co-founder B Lab UK / board member, B Lab

Start application

Join a community of like-minded founders today

Apply now