Inside GBEA's global chapters network
How local chapters in 18 cities share playbooks, resources, and warm introductions to build a borderless founder community.
When we founded GBEA in Patna, we knew that real impact would require local presence in markets around the world. Today, our chapter network spans 18 cities across 42 countries, from Lagos to Jakarta to Mexico City to Nairobi. Here's how we've built a global community that feels local.
Each chapter is led by a volunteer Chapter Captain—a respected operator in the local ecosystem who commits to hosting monthly events, facilitating introductions, and representing GBEA in their market. We provide training, resources, and a global network; they provide local knowledge and relationships.
Chapters operate with significant autonomy. A chapter in Berlin might focus on deep-tech founders; one in Mumbai might emphasize social enterprises; one in São Paulo might prioritize fintech. We encourage this specialization because it ensures relevance to local founders.
But autonomy doesn't mean isolation. Every month, Chapter Captains gather for a global sync where they share what's working, troubleshoot challenges, and identify collaboration opportunities. A founder in Lagos looking to expand to Nairobi can get a warm intro through the chapter network.
Our signature format is the Founder Dinner: an intimate gathering of 12-15 founders, curated for stage and sector fit, with a facilitated conversation about a specific challenge. These dinners create deep connections that often turn into co-founder introductions, angel investments, or lasting friendships.
We also host larger quarterly showcases where founders pitch to local investors and partners. These events raise GBEA's profile, create content for our community, and give founders practice presenting their stories to critical audiences.
The chapter model has taught us that scaling community isn't about replication—it's about federation. You need enough structure to maintain quality and coherence, but enough flexibility to respect local context. We're still learning, but we're confident that this approach can bring GBEA's mission to every city with entrepreneurs who want to connect, collaborate, and grow.