Bombay (Mumbai), India’s financial powerhouse, is home to dreamers and go-getters. Yet, despite its thriving energy, building a startup here can often be a lonely journey.
Unlike Bengaluru, which is renowned for its vibrant startup ecosystem, Bombay’s startup community was largely fragmented, spread across its sprawling expanse. Founders often felt isolated, with no easy way to connect. The lack of a cohesive community was a significant barrier—until the Bombay Founders Club emerged to bridge this gap.
The beginning: From six to 200+
The idea for the Bombay Founders Club (BFC) started simply—with six founders meeting in a small conference room one Saturday evening. Originally planned for a few hours, the gathering extended late into the night. There was a palpable energy—a realisation that founders needed a space where they could shed their professional masks, share their true feelings, and support one another.
From that first meeting, the community grew. Today, BFC boasts more than 200 founders who gather every other Saturday, not for formal presentations, but to relax, share experiences, and be themselves. No business cards, no suits—just founders having fun, playing games, and connecting. It’s the secret sauce that has transformed BFC into a thriving, supportive network.
Why communities matter
A community isn’t about taking; it’s about giving. BFC embodies this philosophy. Founders come together not to seek funding or pitch ideas, but to share their learnings, support each other in moments of doubt, and celebrate successes. It’s about dropping your guard and talking honestly about the ups and downs of startup life, according to them.
Changing the narrative for Bombay startups For too long, founders in Bombay felt they needed to relocate to Bengaluru to find success. BFC wants to rewrite this narrative, showing that Bombay has a community capable of nurturing its startups.
