Join the Inspiring Founders Peer Group

Most early-stage founders are stuck in the same place: you have an idea you believe in, but turning it into something real — a working prototype, a first paying customer, a repeatable way to grow — feels like a maze. You don't need another generic accelerator or a wall of Twitter advice. You need a small group of founders walking the same path, and someone who's done it before to help you cut through the noise.In our intimate circles, you’ll bring your lived experiences and your questions, while your peers contribute their unique perspectives. Together, you'll cultivate a sense of focus, clarity, and accountability that propels your business forward.

That's what the Inspiring Founders Peer Group is. A tight-knit community of early-stage founders who meet regularly, share what's working (and what isn't), and help each other make real progress — facilitated by Mash (Michael Ashley), who has started, scaled, and exited multiple companies himself.

Who it's for:

This group is built for founders who are in the earliest, messiest, most important stretch of building a company:

• You have an idea or a very early-stage company and you're serious about making it work

• You're figuring out your MVP or prototype and want feedback from people who've been there

• You're trying to land your first customers and need a better go-to-market approach

• You value learning from peers as much as from experts

• You show up, do the work, and want others around you doing the same

If you're already scaling a funded company with a team, this probably isn't the right fit — and that's okay.

What you’ll work on:

Every founder's path looks a little different, but most members are working through some combination of:

• Getting started — validating the idea, narrowing the problem, deciding what to build first

• Building your MVP or prototype — scoping it down, shipping it, learning from it

• Finding your first customers — outreach, positioning, pricing, and founder-led sales

• Learning from each other — the unlock most founders underestimate until they experience it

How it works:

The group runs on a rhythm designed to keep you connected and moving forward:

• Monthly in-person meetup — the anchor of the group. A few hours together, working on real challenges, sharing wins, and getting unstuck.

• Weekly Zoom meetups — shorter working sessions to maintain momentum between in-person meetings. Share what you're working on, ask for help, give feedback.

• Private Discord — the group chat that's always on. Ask a question at 11pm, get an intro, share a draft, celebrate a signed contract. This is where a lot of the real value lives.

• Mash as your facilitator — guiding discussions, pattern-matching across founders, and bringing 25+ years of startup and GTM experience into every session.

Why this works:

• Founder-first. Built for people doing the work, not just talking about it.

• Practical and real. Every session is aimed at helping you move something forward this week.

• Peer-powered. Your biggest unlocks often come from another founder who solved the same problem three months ago.

• Confidential. What's shared in the group stays in the group.

How to join:

• Apply — Tell us about what you're building and where you're stuck.

• Chat with Mash — A short conversation to make sure the group is the right fit for you (and vice versa).

• Jump in — Get access to the Discord, your next in-person meetup, and the weekly Zoom.

Optional on-ramp:

If you’re pre-traction and want help getting launch-ready, we occasionally run a short Startup Launch Bootcamp. Graduates who gain traction can apply to join a Inspiring Founders Peer Group. Ask us about it why you apply.

Ready to join?

If you’re a founder who wants honest peers, practical help, and steady progress, we’d love to hear from you.