Sober Founders FAQ
Answers to common questions about our community, the Phoenix Forum, and how to get involved.
What is Sober Founders?
Sober Founders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community for entrepreneurs in recovery from addiction. It provides free weekly virtual sessions, peer mentorship, and — for high-revenue founders — the Phoenix Forum, an exclusive membership for those with $1M+ in annual revenue and at least one year of sobriety. The organization exists at the unique intersection of entrepreneurship and recovery, giving founders a space where sobriety is a shared foundation, not a secret.
Who can join Sober Founders?
Any entrepreneur or business owner in recovery from addiction is welcome to join Sober Founders. There is no revenue minimum, no industry restriction, and no requirement to be enrolled in a formal treatment program. The only expectation is that members are committed to sobriety and want to build their business alongside a community that understands both the demands of entrepreneurship and the challenges of recovery.
What is the Phoenix Forum?
The Phoenix Forum is Sober Founders’ premium membership tier for high-achieving founders in recovery. To qualify, members must have at least $1 million in annual business revenue and a minimum of one year of continuous sobriety. Phoenix Forum members participate in small-group peer advisory sessions, gain access to senior mentors, and connect with a network of accomplished founders who share their commitment to recovery. It is modeled after high-performance mastermind groups but built specifically around the sober founder experience.
How much does it cost to join Sober Founders?
Joining Sober Founders’ general community and attending the weekly virtual sessions is completely free. Sober Founders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and open participation is core to its mission of making recovery-focused entrepreneurship support accessible to all founders regardless of financial means. The Phoenix Forum premium membership has its own application process; contact the team at soberfounders.org for current Phoenix Forum membership details.
How do I join the Phoenix Forum?
To join the Phoenix Forum, you must meet two criteria: at least $1 million in annual business revenue and a minimum of one year of sobriety. Eligible founders can apply through soberfounders.org. The application process includes a review of your business and sobriety background, followed by a conversation with the Sober Founders team to ensure the program is the right fit. Spots are limited to maintain the quality of peer connections.
What happens at a Sober Founders session?
Sober Founders sessions are structured virtual gatherings where founders in recovery share business challenges, discuss strategies, and support one another. Each session typically combines open discussion with topic-driven conversation — covering subjects like managing stress without substances, scaling a business in recovery, and navigating investor relationships as a sober founder. Sessions run on Zoom and are designed to feel like a trusted peer group, not a formal meeting or treatment setting.
When are Sober Founders meetings held?
Sober Founders holds weekly virtual sessions every Tuesday and Thursday. Sessions are held online via Zoom, making them accessible to founders anywhere in the world regardless of time zone. The consistent twice-weekly schedule provides the accountability and community connection that recovery and business growth both benefit from. Check soberfounders.org or the community calendar for current session times.
Is Sober Founders anonymous?
Sober Founders upholds strong confidentiality norms — what is shared in sessions stays within the community. While the organization is not formally structured as an anonymous program like AA or NA, privacy and discretion are core cultural values. Members are not required to disclose personal recovery details publicly, and the community actively protects what is shared in sessions.
Do I need to be in a 12-step program to join Sober Founders?
No. Sober Founders does not require membership in any 12-step program or any specific recovery path. The community is inclusive of all approaches to sobriety — including 12-step, SMART Recovery, medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and others. The only requirement is a personal commitment to sobriety. Sober Founders is not a treatment program; it is a peer community that complements whatever recovery approach you choose.
What is the revenue requirement for Phoenix Forum?
The Phoenix Forum requires a minimum of $1 million in annual business revenue. This threshold ensures that members are navigating similar-scale business challenges — fundraising, hiring, managing teams, and scaling operations — which makes peer advice more relevant and actionable. Founders who do not yet meet the $1M revenue mark are encouraged to participate in Sober Founders’ free community sessions while growing toward that milestone.
How is Sober Founders different from AA or NA?
Sober Founders is not a 12-step recovery program. It is a professional peer community specifically for entrepreneurs and business owners in recovery. Where AA and NA focus on personal recovery through a spiritual framework and step-based process, Sober Founders focuses on the intersection of sobriety and running a business — covering hiring, revenue strategy, investor dynamics, and leadership challenges. Many Sober Founders members also attend AA or NA; the two are complementary.
Can I attend if I’m sober-curious but not fully sober?
Sober Founders’ primary community is designed for entrepreneurs committed to sobriety, but the organization welcomes those seriously exploring sobriety as part of their recovery journey. If you are sober-curious and taking concrete steps toward sobriety, reach out at soberfounders.org to discuss whether participation is a good fit. The Phoenix Forum requires a minimum of one year of continuous sobriety for membership.
How does Sober Founders help my business?
Sober Founders helps your business by surrounding you with peers who understand both entrepreneurship and recovery and can give honest, experience-based advice without judgment. Research shows that peer accountability and strong social support networks improve both business performance and recovery outcomes. Phoenix Forum members gain access to a high-trust group of founders with $1M+ revenue, where conversations go deep on real business challenges. Many members report that the clarity sobriety provides, combined with community accountability, is a measurable competitive advantage.
Is Sober Founders a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
Yes. Sober Founders is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This means the organization is legally recognized as tax-exempt and dedicated to its public mission of supporting entrepreneurs in recovery. Donations to Sober Founders are tax-deductible for U.S. donors to the extent permitted by law. The nonprofit structure reflects the organization’s commitment to keeping its core community programs free and accessible to all founders regardless of business stage or financial means.
How can I donate to Sober Founders?
You can donate to Sober Founders at soberfounders.org/donate. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers to the extent permitted by law. Contributions directly fund the free weekly sessions, mentorship programs, and operational infrastructure that keep the community running. If you are a founder who has benefited from Sober Founders and want to help more entrepreneurs access recovery-supportive community, donating is one of the most direct ways to make an impact.
