Every startup community is unique.

Startup Haven relies on the passion, knowledge and insight of volunteer members who have an interest in supporting their local startup community.

These members serve as Chapter Directors and Ambassadors in their area and are essential to achieving our mission. The generous efforts of these founders and investors are what make Startup Haven possible.

The Chapter Director Role

Chapter Director volunteers lead and host events in each city, as well as helping to spread the word about Startup Haven among other founders and investors.

If you identify with a lot of the following, then you might be a good fit for Chapter Director.

  • History of deep involvement as a venture-scale startup founder or investor
    • do you truly understand the startup experience?
  • Passion for startup community development
    • do you care about making an impact?
  • Demonstrated ability to network effectively
    • can you work a room?
  • Speaking or event-hosting experience
    • can you manage the room?
  • How’s your poker game?
    • you don’t need to be good at poker, but we do it a lot so it’s helpful for at least one Chapter Director to know their way around the game (or at least are eager to learn)
    • Importantly, Startup Haven poker events are not about poker; they are about making meaningful connections among founders and investors. Fun, low-stakes poker is just one of the ways we help that happen. It is the chapter director’s job to make sure no one takes the poker aspect of the event too seriously. As such, it is critical that chapter directors do not take the poker game too seriously. Enjoying the game is terrific… but if winning is important to you then the chapter director role may not be a good fit.

Chapter Director Benefits

As a Startup Haven Chapter Director, you will be the cornerstone of a growing community of entrepreneurs and investors in your city. As Startup Haven’s local go-to gal or guy, there’s a little something in it for you as well.

  • Your network among founders and investors will be put on steroids.
    • Every Startup Haven member in your city will know who you are and will have a reason to connect with you.
  • You will have a blast.
    • Everything we do, and everyone we do it with, is fun and/or interesting.
  • You’ll be a real contributor to the success of entrepreneurs and the startup community in your city.
    • If you don’t value this, then you may be in the wrong place.
  • We cover your first two regular buy-ins at every poker event you host.
    • It’s hard to play your best when you’re running the show so we try to take the sting out of those first couple of buy-ins.

Commitment

Most Startup Haven Chapter Directors are actively involved in their startup community, often as an active startup founder, exec or investor. So they’re busy. We do everything we can to make the role of Chapter Director as easy and efficient as possible. We have a logistics team to make sure all the nitty gritty event details are taken care of — like invitations, catering, equipment rentals, name badges, venue coordination, etc. Here’s what you can expect for your part.

  • Up to 1 hour each week to help build the network
    • Write some emails, send some LinkedIn messages, share the story at other founder or investor-oriented events.
  • Up to 1 hour check-in call each month
    • This keeps us all moving in the same direction.
  • One afternoon + evening each month to help run an event
    • Setup tables/chairs, food, ice for the beer, count out the chips, etc.
  • Assume you’ll need to double up on this time commitment during the first few months while you’re learning.
    • It’s not rocket science, but there are some moving parts.
  • Finding a great Chapter Director isn’t easy and it takes time and effort on everyone’s part to bring someone up to speed.
    • So we ask for a minimum one-year commitment.
  • Represent Startup Haven with integrity
    • As the face (and the lifeblood) of Startup Haven in your city, all Chapter Directors are expected to uphold the purpose and mission of Startup Haven and to always act in a kind, professional, and helpful manner.
    • As a trusted facilitator for Startup Haven and its members, Chapter Directors are expected never to use Startup Haven programs or events, or their special access to Startup Haven network members, for their own benefit or the benefit of any other individual or organization.
  • Startup Poker 2.0 Apprenticeship
    • If Startup Poker 2.0 events launch in your city, you will receive special training to learn how to run those events. Training will include review and discussion of educational content related to logistics, attending an event, and co-hosting an event with an experienced Startup Haven host on hand.

If the Chapter Director sounds interesting to you, please take a moment to complete this simple Chapter Director Inquiry Form