If you're just starting out or are in the middle of a new entrepreneur journey, then some of the most important things you need are the right connections and hands-on experience. That’s where the startup communities come into play.

These communities can help you build networks, and get experts’ advice and opportunities that you’ll need to get ahead without wasting years with the hit and trial method. So, let’s discuss the 6 entrepreneur communities that you can join.

1. Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Home page of entrepreneurs' organization showing its navigation menu and other details

Entrepreneurs' Organization was founded in 1987 and is meant for all types of entrepreneurs. With over 15K members in 61 countries, you can get to meet like-minded people in your field and leaders in your industry in this community.

Besides networking opportunities and getting help to achieve your career goals, you get access to the community’s forum, where you get to meet 8-12 leaders for several hours every month. You can also connect with other entrepreneurs and industry experts at global events. Depending on your location, you can be invited to attend the local chapters too.

Additionally, many people also share their personal life problems in the community. That way, if you’re struggling with something that any other member of the community has been through, they may come forward to advise you on what works. It’ll save you both the time and mistakes that you may make dealing with it on your own.

Although, the cost of this organization may be a bit expensive as it ranges from $2400-$3000. But it helps you get access to a non-judgemental group of like-minded people who have been there and done that.

2. Young Entrepreneur Council

The front page screenshot of the YEC website

Young Entrepreneur Council is a great community for entrepreneurs, but it’s not for everyone. You can only become its member if you fulfill their criteria and get an invitation from their side.

To join this community, you must be 45 years old or less in age, and your business must have made or raised at least 1 million dollars in revenue. The founders of this community are Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh. Their main goal behind creating this organization was to make sure that young entrepreneurs can get the proper guidance and avoid making the mistakes that the founders made when they started.

There is a higher chance of meeting people of a similar age dealing with similar challenges as you are if you join this community. Hence, if you fulfill the community's criteria, it’s worth taking a look at it.

3. Startup Nation

community page with searching option

Startup Nation is a free, forum-based community that encourages you to discuss your experience and challenges with people sharing similar interests. If you need more information on how-tos, launching your product, marketing strategies, or anything similar to that, you can initiate a conversation about it.

It’s a great way to get answers on something you’re dealing with in your business—for instance, if you’ve been a solopreneur until now, but now you’re thinking of delegating some work, you can initiate a conversation about outsourcing or hiring.

Other people who have already done it would be happy to share some awesome insights about the topic and may recommend some of the best places where you can find people who fulfill your criteria for the rate you’re looking to hire at, and more.

That said, the website is also a hub of information. Besides having real-time conversations with leaders in your industry, you can also get access to a number of ebooks, blog posts, podcasts, webinars, and radio.

4. Social Enterprise Alliance

The community page of the website

If you’re a social enterprise practitioner and want to grow, learn, and get support and give it in return, then this community is for you. When you join them, apart from other membership benefits, you get access to Social Enterprise Alliance's Slack group, exclusive webinars, and affinity group.

You become eligible to attend and contribute to the chapters and national boards, and get discounts for their paid programs. That way, you don’t only learn, but also contribute and be a part of multiple activities. The different types of membership programs you can apply for are student, individual, organization, and consulting firms.

5. Startup Grind

The community's page showing navigation menu for local chapters and more

Startup Grind is a big community, operating worldwide with over 5 million members. Its mission is to give entrepreneurs the education and opportunities they need to build the vision they dreamed of and scale it.

Startup Grind holds many local events and global conferences, which are a great way to build and expand your network. They have over 600 chapter locations in over 125 countries. Besides the regular membership program for startups and partners, they also offer a student membership program for beginners.

The benefits you get from their membership program are access to their Slack community, a newsletter specifically made for members, 1:1 introductions between the founders, mentor office events, product and job promotion, and more

6. Wannabe Entrepreneur Community

The paid membership of wanna be entrepreneurs offered at $10

Wannabe Entrepreneur Community is a small Slack group of 60 people that you can join for $10 a month, which, by the way, is refundable if you don’t like it.

If you’re starting a side hustle while still keeping your day job, or want someone to hold you accountable for the tasks you need to get done, then this small community of Wannabe Entrepreneurs can be a great place to start with. They hold regular workshops, give you feedback on your project, help you with productivity resources, and have coffee meetings every week.

Are You Ready to Join an Entrepreneur Community?

If you usually have to discuss work-based things that your friends don’t understand or need suggestions that your family members won’t be able to come up with, you need some like-minded people in your life. The entrepreneurs' communities are the best places to make friends with such people.

So far, we’ve discussed almost all levels of entrepreneur’s communities, from costing a fortune to the small ones to holding yourself accountable. You can choose the one based on your needs, and that can help you achieve your specific goals.