Coaching for Cyber Startup Leaders: Founder Forge

Who It's For

Cybersecurity startup founders—whether you’ve bootstrapped into a thriving business that will remain private, or you’re moving beyond the pre-seed stage.

What It Is

A bespoke program combining one-on-one executive coaching with coaching circles of fellow founders.

  • One-on-One Coaching: Draw on decades-tested tools and methods from the Center for Executive Coaching, designed by and for successful executive coaches.

  • Coaching Circles: Small groups of founder peers, trained in coaching methods, surface insights through active listening and powerful questions. Expect deep thinking and candid challenges—not unsolicited advice.

The result: a space where you gain clarity, test decisions, and expand your leadership capacity alongside others on the founder’s journey.

What it is Not

This is not about telling you what to do. Few things kill passion faster than being told how to run it.

Instead, both the individual coaching and coaching circles challenge you to live up to your vision—without critique or prescription.

What to Expect

Founders have unique needs. Business coaching often takes center stage here more than in other New Cyber Executive programs.

  • You set the goals and topics—we create the space, tools, and questions for you to discover the best solutions for yourself and your company.

  • Ethics matter—we adhere to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics.

  • Feedback available—through executive assessments or 360-degree verbal feedback from key employees, advisors, and investors.

  • Progress tracked—periodic check-ins ensure goals and approaches evolve with your circumstances.

How We'll Engage

  1. Intro Call – Explore your goals and how coaching and coaching circles can support them.

  2. Aspirations Session – Clarify your motivations and challenges as a founder.

  3. Cohort Fit Interviews – Meet potential circle members to ensure mutual fit.

  4. Start Coaching – Begin one-on-one sessions.

  5. Mini-Course – Learn coaching methods that power the circles.

  6. Join Your Circle – First session: all listening. Second: experience being coached. Then rotate as client and coach.

Ready to Explore

Curious whether this is the right fit? Let’s schedule a conversation to talk through your goals and how the Founder’s Initiative can support them.