How do we decide who can join our founding group?

K Answered by Kibutz

Agree the process before you need it — not when someone is already knocking.

A common, fair approach:

1. Share your vision and values with anyone interested, so they can decide whether they fit.
2. Invite them to several meetings and a social event before anything formal.
3. Ask them to complete the same questions your founders answered, then talk about any big differences.
4. Agree a provisional period — for example, three to six months — with full participation but no binding financial commitment.
5. Decide together at the end, by the method your group has agreed.

Be clear and kind. Saying “we’re not the right fit” early is far better than discovering it after someone has invested money and years.