For SaaS founders, community is a key resource. Some of the most valuable insights surface first through peers, long before they show up in blog posts or conference keynotes.
As companies scale, the questions founders face become more complex: how to structure a go-to-market organization, when to professionalize finance, how to think about international expansion, or how to prepare for eventual liquidity without losing focus on execution. Hearing directly from founders who have experienced those same decisions often provides the most useful perspective.
Over the past few decades, a distinct ecosystem of SaaS communities has emerged to meet that need. Some are founder-only networks built on trust and discretion. Others are conference-led platforms that extend into year-round memberships. A few are operator or builder communities that founders tap into at specific moments in their journey. The best ones share a common trait: they are intentional about who they serve and why they exist.
Below are 7 SaaS communities worth exploring, depending on your stage, priorities, and growth trajectory.
L40° Community events
- Best for: SaaS founders at an inflection point
- Stage: Typically $3M–$100M+ ARR
- Format: Small, curated, founder-only events (not a standing community)
L40° does not operate a broad SaaS community in the traditional sense. Instead, we host highly focused, founder-only events designed for meaningful, off-the-record discussion among peers facing similar strategic decisions.
These events are intentionally small and curated, focusing on depth rather than scale. Discussions are centered on sell-side M&A topics, including exit readiness, valuation drivers, buyer positioning, timing, and leadership transitions, creating space for candid, off-the-record exchange without the noise typical of larger communities or open forums.
Because the format is event-based rather than always-on, participation tends to be deliberate. Founders attend with a specific objective in mind and leave with a concrete perspective.
How to join
Attendance is typically invitation-based or referral-driven, depending on the event and founder profile. Contact us for more information or follow L40° on LinkedIn to learn about upcoming events.
SaaStock
- Best for: B2B SaaS founders with real traction
- Stage: ~$500K ARR to $10M+ ARR
- Format: Curated founder membership + global conferences (US & EU)
SaaStock is one of the most established SaaS ecosystems globally. While best known for its flagship conferences in Europe and the US, its Founder Membership is a structured, year-round community designed for founders navigating the move from early traction to scale.
Membership is founder-only and organized into peer groups by revenue stage, which keeps conversations practical and relevant. The focus is on learning from founders who are slightly ahead on the journey, particularly around go-to-market execution, hiring, and scaling internationally.
How to join
Membership is application-based. Founders apply through SaaStock, with acceptance based on company stage, business model, and fit with the existing founder cohort.
Read: SaaS conferences for founders
SaaSiest
- Best for: B2B SaaS founders and operators seeking practical, peer-driven learning
- Stage: Early-stage through growth ($0–$20M+ ARR)
- Format: Community platform, events, content, and conferences
SaaSiest is one of Europe’s most visible B2B SaaS communities, built around the idea of practical knowledge exchange rather than aspirational storytelling. What started as a podcast initiative has grown into a broad community where SaaS professionals share how things actually get done, including what worked, what didn’t, and why.
How to join:
Open registration via SaaSiest. Community access is broadly available, with conferences and select events requiring paid tickets.
Review: Top Middle-Market M&A firms: Best Advisors for SaaS Exits
SaaSRise
- Best for: SaaS CEOs and founders focused on scaling with peer and coach support
- Stage: Typically $1M–$100M ARR
- Format: Paid, application-based founder community with masterminds and coaching
SaaSRise is a founder-only SaaS growth community designed for CEOs and founders building at meaningful scale. The community is for founders who want structured peer engagement alongside experienced guidance around growth, fundraising, and exits.
Founded by Ryan Allis, who built and exited iContact for $169 million, SaaSRise draws on firsthand experience scaling a SaaS business to significant revenue. The community combines weekly mastermind groups with private Slack and WhatsApp channels, creating an environment where founders can exchange perspectives, pressure-test decisions, and stay accountable.
Compared to broader SaaS communities, SaaSRise is more structured and hands-on, appealing to founders who value regular peer interaction and consistent feedback as they scale.
How to join:
Membership is paid and application-based. Founders can apply directly through SaaSRise, typically starting with a free trial before committing.
Turpentine
- Best for: Founders and CEOs of high-growth technology companies
- Stage: Typically $10M+ valuation; often venture-backed and scaling rapidly
- Format: Application-based, founder-only network with forums and small events
Turpentine is a highly selective, founder-focused network designed for CEOs building category-defining companies. The emphasis is on signal over scale: creating a trusted environment where founders can engage in thoughtful, candid discussion about company-building at scale.
The community is structured around a high-trust online forum, complemented by intimate, in-person events that foster deeper relationships among members. Discussions tend to focus on the real mechanics of leadership, strategy, and growth, rather than surface-level advice or broad networking.
Turpentine’s membership skews toward founders who are already operating at significant scale or on a clear trajectory toward it. Admission standards reflect that focus, with an emphasis on company quality, growth profile, and peer endorsements.
How to join:
Membership is application-based and selective. Founders typically apply through Turpentine’s website and may be asked for references or endorsements from existing members.
Introduction.com
- Best for: Founders, CEOs, and senior executives building high-growth technology companies
- Stage: Typically growth-stage and beyond
- Format: Private, invite-only network with curated rooms, events, and online forums
Introduction.com is a selective, invite-only network designed to connect experienced founders and senior leaders in a high-trust environment. It emphasizes close conversations and smaller rooms where members can present their ideas, share perspectives, and build meaningful relationships.
The network blends an online platform with in-person dinners, masterminds, and chapter-based events. Discussions tend to focus on decision-making at scale — including company strategy, partnerships, investments, and long-term outcomes — with an emphasis on quality of engagement over volume.
Compared to open communities, Introduction.com prioritizes signal over noise. Membership skews toward founders and executives who value discretion, thoughtful dialogue, and access to peers operating at a similar level.
How to join:
Membership is invite-only and application-based. Prospective members apply through Introduction.com and are evaluated based on background, company profile, and fit with the existing network.
Colectivo
- Best for: Founders, investors, and operators in the Latin American and US tech ecosystem
- Stage: Early-stage through growth
- Format: Open tech community with events, partnerships, and local chapters
Colectivo is a global tech community rooted in New York City and inspired by Latin culture, with a mission to connect founders, investors, and ecosystem builders across the US and Latin America. While not a SaaS-only community, it plays an active role in bringing together technology leaders building and investing across the region.
The community is best known for its in-person events, including meetups, partner-hosted gatherings, and broader ecosystem initiatives such as Latino Tech Week. Engagement tends to be relationship-driven and open, making it a useful entry point for founders looking to expand their network across borders or connect with investors and operators familiar with the Latin American market.
Unlike tightly curated, founder-only networks, Colectivo is intentionally inclusive. Its value lies in community-building, cross-border connection, and visibility within a growing regional tech ecosystem rather than deep, stage-specific peer discussion.
How to join:
Membership and event participation are open. Founders can join the network or explore upcoming events directly through Colectivo’s website.
Tips for joining the right SaaS community
Not all SaaS communities deliver the same value, and joining too many can quickly become a distraction. The most effective founders approach communities with intention, choosing spaces that match their stage and goals.
1. Be clear on what you want out of it
Before applying or paying for a membership, be explicit about what you want to get out of it. The best SaaS communities are built around a specific use case, and it’s important to ensure that the use case matches what you’re actually looking for.
Depending on your goals, that might include:
- Tactical execution support, such as go-to-market, pricing, or hiring decisions
- Peer validation on strategic choices, including major investments or shifts in direction
- Exposure to investors or potential acquirers, often through curated introductions or events
- Perspective on exits, including readiness, timing, and tradeoffs rarely discussed publicly
Communities are most valuable when they align tightly with a specific need, not as general networking tools.
2. Look for a community aligned with the stage of your SaaS
Stage mismatch is the fastest way to disengage. Early-stage builders benefit from broad, open communities, while founders at scale typically get more value from curated, founder-only groups. Look for communities that clearly define who they’re built for and be cautious of those that try to serve everyone.
3. Prioritize signal over scale
Large communities can be useful for discovery, but depth usually comes from smaller, more focused environments. Founder-only groups, stage-segmented forums, and curated events tend to produce more actionable conversations than high-volume channels.
4. Understand the access model
Some communities are always-on platforms; others are event-driven or cohort-based. Neither is inherently better, but the format should match how you prefer to engage. If your calendar is tight, a small number of high-quality, in-person or off-the-record sessions may deliver more value than constant online participation.
5. Contribute early, not just often
Communities work best when members give as much as they take. Sharing perspective, offering introductions, or being open about challenges builds trust quickly, unlocking real value over time.
6. Reassess regularly
A community that was valuable at $1M ARR may be less relevant at $10M. Revisit your memberships periodically and be willing to step back when the return on time declines. The goal is not long-term loyalty, but continued relevance.
A more focused founder conversation
If you’re a SaaS founder approaching a strategic inflection point, particularly around exits, L40° hosts private, founder-only events designed for thoughtful, off-the-record discussion. Contact us to learn about our community events.
