Founders and CEOs only. Curated. Confidential.
The decision you can't take to your team.
Take it to a room of founders who've already made it. Helm is the private peer club for UK scale-up founders and CEOs. No sales. No ego.
6 to 8
founders in your Forum, chaired by an exited founder
10
Forum meetings a year, in person
160+
founder-only events a year across the UK
Members include the founders of Zappi, Captify, Pocket-lint, The Instant Group and Talking Tables.
As featured in
Who you'd be sitting with.
Every member is a founder or CEO of a scale-up, and every one of them has been where you are. A few of them:
Steve Phillips
Founder, Zappi
AI-driven insights platform used by 350+ global enterprises across 13 countries.
Dominic Joseph
Co-founder, Captify
Search intelligence platform, majority stake acquired by SFW Capital Partners.
Stuart Miles
Founder, Pocket-lint
Grew Pocket-lint to about 1.6 million monthly visits before selling to Valnet.
Rob Hamilton
Founder, The Instant Group
Built the world's largest flex-workspace marketplace.
Clare Harris
Co-founder, Talking Tables
B Corp party-ware brand turning over £25 million.
Adam Blomerley
Founder, Quick Release
350+ experts across seven countries, now part of ALTEN Group.
Plus founders from Carterwood, hib, New Covent Garden Soup Co. and more.
6 to 8
founders, one table, 10 times a year
One problem. Eight people who've solved it.
Your Forum is a fixed group of founders at your stage, chaired by a founder who has built and exited a business. You bring the thing you're stuck on; the room works on it with you.
You bring the problem
A hire, a funding round, a co-founder, an offer for the business. Real, current, yours.
The chair runs the room
Questions first, then each founder tells you what they'd do and why. Confidential, practical, direct.
You leave with a way forward
And a room you can message for a fast answer when the next one lands.
This is not a networking group.
Networking group
- Anyone with a business card can join
- Half the room is selling to the other half
- A different crowd every time
- Advice from people who haven't done it
Helm
- Founders and CEOs of scale-ups only, by application
- No pitching. No deal-flipping. No hidden agendas.
- The same 6 to 8 people, all year, who know your business
- Chaired by founders who have scaled and exited
“Helm is like my friendly board who help me navigate difficult situations and choices.”
“Before I joined Helm, I was sceptical about attending network events for the sake of it. Over the last 10 years, Helm has completely changed my viewpoint.”
Robert Ginsberg
hib, 10-year member
“I can very quickly and very easily have a conversation that adds value.”
John Stapleton
Founder, New Covent Garden Soup Co.
“Membership of Helm has been invaluable for me both personally and professionally. I'm always blown away by how generous and open other business owners are with their time, advice and ideas.”
Louise Dell
Founder, Kyero
How membership is assessed.
Step 1
Application
Your details and a few facts about your business.
Step 2
Review
Our membership team reviews every application, normally within a week.
Step 3
Eligibility call
If you meet the criteria, a short call to confirm your eligibility and whether we can offer you membership.
Step 4
Membership offer
If we can offer you a place, we match you to a Forum of founders at your stage.
Before you apply
What does it involve?
A Forum of 6 to 8 founders that meets 10 times a year, in person, chaired by an exited founder. On top of that, 160+ founder-only events a year and member messaging for fast answers. Everything beyond your Forum is optional.
Who is it for?
Founders and CEOs of UK scale-ups turning over £3m or more, or with a team of 20 or more.
Is it confidential?
Yes. What's said in a Forum stays there, and the no-sales rule is enforced to protect trust. It's why the club was started in 2003.
What happens after I apply?
Our membership team reviews every application, normally within a week. If you meet the criteria, we'll invite you to a short eligibility call, and then let you know whether we can offer you membership.
Scaling is lonely.
It doesn't have to be.
Every application is reviewed by our membership team.
Apply to join Helm- No sales pitches
- Curated members
- Confidential