In entrepreneurship, the honest answer is that it’s often not just about what you know — it’s about who you know. With so many founders starting their journeys toward success, there are usually former and current mentees, peers, co-founders, and investors behind them, helping them start to open the right doors at the right time. Therefore, for Entrepreneur Communities looking to grow faster and smarter, finding a good community of entrepreneurs can truly be a catalyst for growth.
There are plenty of small online startup groups or WhatsApp communities, but almost all of them have no real ongoing value, connections, or actual results in the real world. So, we want to mention some of the best quality entrepreneur forums that have lasted a while, have a highly engaged member community, and offer more than just talk, and will provide an abundance of opportunities.
1. BNI ( Business Network International )
Best for: Local business growth, client referrals, and professional visibility
BNI is one of the largest and most structured business networking organizations in the world, with over 300,000 members in 70 countries; they represent the idea of “Givers Gain,” or, you help me and I will help you, quite well.
Members gather weekly in their local group for structured meetings to share referrals, monitor business passed, and build long-term business relationships. While its membership skews more towards owners of small and medium businesses than tech startups, BNI is incredibly effective for new entrepreneurs looking to build a client base, particularly in service industries.
Why does it open doors?
- Proven lead generation structure.
- Global reach and hyperlocal.
- Accountability-based weekly connection.
2. TIE ( The Indus Entrepreneurs )
Ideal for startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, mentors, and funding sources for startups
TIE started in 1992 in Silicon Valley, and it has become one of the largest, most active startup ecosystems, with chapters in more than 14 countries and active chapters in major cities in India (Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad). Founded and led by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, TiE is uniquely placed to link its members with mentors, investors, and experts. TiE is also uniquely placed as part of TiEcon, regarded as one of the largest entrepreneurial conferences in the world.
Why does it open doors?
- Access to experienced mentors and successful entrepreneurs.
- Investor connections and startup pitches.
- A few examples of events and competitions that attract elite VCs and Angels.
3. JCI ( Junior Chamber International )
Best for: Young professionals, leadership development, community impact
If you’re a young entrepreneur under 40 who wants to develop not just a business, but yourself as a leader and civic-minded citizen, JCI is worth considering. JCI is a strong international network to support young leaders and helps develop these leaders with development programs, global exchange, and social entrepreneurship.
JCI is different from many purely business-oriented networks that focus solely on starting companies, because it combines the business with making an impact and leadership, good for founders who are looking through an impact lens.
Why does it open doors?
- Global exposure and travel opportunities.
- Leadership and personal development programs.
- A focus on sustainable impact and entrepreneurship.
4. Startup Grind
Best for: Tech founders; ecosystem builders; early-stage startups.
With Google’s support through Google for Startups, Startup Grind has created a worldwide community of over 4 million entrepreneurs. Startup Grind has events every few days in 600+ cities all over the world and creates a space for founders to learn from previous tech entrepreneurs, to meet new entrepreneur friends, and also to get found. Chapters all over India are active and host events like fireside chats, pitch nights, and global startup programs.
Why does it open doors?
- Access to a global network of founders.
- Regular events with the best of the best in each community.
- Supportive ecosystems for early-stage growth.
5. EO ( Entrepreneurs’ Organization )
Best for: Established entrepreneurs (with $1M revenue minimum), scaling, and peer learning
The EO is an invite-only network of founders who have achieved a certain revenue milestone. It is exclusive, but it has the benefit of depth and trust-based peer learning through small “forums”, global learning events, and expert mentorship. If you have moved beyond the chaos of your early startup and are looking to scale and surround yourself with a peer group who understands your narrative, then EO is a treasure trove of resources.
Why does it open doors?
- Confidential, high-trust peer forums.
- Strategic learning events are located throughout the world.
- Deep conversations beyond surface-level hustle.
6. LinkedIn & Discord Startup Communities
Best for: Niche support, global startup collaboration, and no cost
Today’s entrepreneur is not just engaging with the advisory ecosystem in person but actively building global networks from their laptop. Communities on LinkedIn and Discord (Indie Hackers, Y Combinator Startup School, Techstars, etc.) open up very niche access to forums where the advice is fast, the feedback is real, and collaboration happens instantaneously.
Why does it open doors?
- No geographical barriers.
- Open access to knowledge sharing and feedback.
- Great for first-time founders testing ideas.
7. Local Startup Community Forums (If You’re in India)
For those in India, watch for these exciting new communities:
- Headstart Network Foundation – The oldest grassroots-level startup ecosystem enabler in India.
- 99Startups – Startup events, accelerator programs, and investor connects.
- YourStory Club – Events and community for founder journeys.
These communities may not reach the global scale yet, but they are impactful at the grassroots level, especially when you are just starting.
Do share any forums that you feel will be useful for Entrepreneur Communities to include in this article.