Founders Bay: price, who can join and alternatives
Founders Bay is a San Francisco based community and newsletter for AI founders, engineers and investors, started in 2024. It runs monthly AI breakfasts with VCs, founder and VC dinners, pitch nights and online workshops. A free tier covers the newsletter and public events, and paid members get entry to every event.
Founders Bay at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | AI founders, engineers and investors | foundersbay.com |
| Where | San Francisco Bay Area first, plus New York and online | foundersbay.com |
| Recent activity | Ticket checkout open on 28 Oct 2026 for a San Francisco Founder/VC Breakfast | luma.com |
| Price | Free tier at $0; Member at $49 a month or $399 a year | foundersbay.com |
| Member benefit | Members get free entry to every Founders Bay event | foundersbay.com |
| Events | Monthly AI breakfasts with VCs, dinners, summits and happy hours | foundersbay.com |
| Founded | Started in 2024 | foundersbay.com |
| Directory | Member directory with direct messaging | foundersbay.com |
Who it suits
- AI founders who want regular rooms with investors
- Founders early in a raise who want pitch practice
- Engineers thinking about starting an AI company
Who it doesn't suit
- Founders outside AI who want a sector-neutral group
- Anyone wanting a quiet, small peer group
- Founders who want workspace rather than events
Alternatives to Founders Bay
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub | Not published | Apply to join |
| Bay Area Founders Club | Not published | Subscribe to the newsletter; register for each event |
| Bootstrappers Breakfast | $10.00 per event on Meetup (currency not named) | Open; book each event; no pitching |
| ClimateLink San Francisco | Not published | Join the Meetup group and RSVP |
| Founders Running Club SF | Not published | RSVP on Meetup or Luma; any pace welcome |
| Founders, Inc. | No paid membership; backing of $150k for selected founders (currency not named) | Apply for backing, or come to a weekly Open Campus event |
| Frontier Tower | $190 a month or $1,800 a year (currency not named) | Apply online for citizenship |
| Hacker Dojo | Standard $150 a month or $1,350 a year (currency not named) | Sign up online; no approval for standard membership |
Compare all 471 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about Founders Bay
- How much is Founders Bay?
- Free ($0) for the newsletter, public profile and public events. Member is listed at $49 a month or $399 a year.
- What does paid membership add?
- Free entry to every Founders Bay event, including founder and VC breakfasts and dinners.
- Where are events held?
- Mainly the San Francisco Bay Area, plus New York and online.
- Website
- foundersbay.com
- Price
- Free ($0); Member $49/month or $399/year (currency not named)
- Entry rule
- Free account; paid members get entry to every event
- Format
- Founder and VC breakfasts, dinners and pitch nights, San Francisco Bay Area
- Checked
Founders Bay isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check foundersbay.com before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.