FounderCroft › How it works
How FounderCroft helps you establish and develop your own business
Five steps from an idea to a business that trades and grows, and what on this site does the work at each one. Nothing here needs a paid plan.
- Decide how you will get a business: start it, buy it, or franchise it. Starting from scratch is the cheapest way in and the slowest to revenue. Buying an existing business gives you customers, staff and cash flow on day one, at a price you can check with the valuation calculator. A franchise gives you a proven model and a brand in exchange for a fee and royalties — franchising explained sets out the trade-offs.
- Learn the rules for your country. Open Start a business and pick your country. The page lists the legal forms, the registration route, taxes and licences, the legal guides written for that country, and the businesses, franchises and advisers there. Ask what the guides do not cover in the forum.
- Register and set up. Choose the legal form, file with the registry, open a business bank account, register for tax. Most people do this with an accountant or, when there are partners, investors or a lease, a lawyer. The services directory lists both by country; the pages for legal advisors and consultants explain when you need which.
- Get advice from people who have done it. Mentors take 30 or 60 minute calls on a topic you choose: pricing, first hire, exporting, a supplier problem. Events and webinars are open to every member, online or in person. Every question in the forum stays there for the next person with the same problem.
- Grow, and know what it is worth. Marketing, web, recruitment, logistics and office space are in the same directory. The blog is open to every member. Run the valuation calculator once a year against real sale prices from this site. When it is time to sell, list the business or let a broker handle it — with no commission to us either way.
What buying or selling looks like here
1. Listing
Title, category, country, asking price, revenue, profit, year established, up to six photos. The sensitive part — customer names, exact accounts — goes in a confidential section.
2. NDA and questions
A buyer signs the NDA on the page to request the confidential section; the seller approves in the deal room. Questions go through messages tied to the listing.
3. Offer and escrow
An approved buyer makes an offer. The deal page tracks it: accepted, escrow opened at a licensed provider, funds in escrow, handover complete. Both sides get a message at each step.
What it costs
| Reading guides, country pages, the forum and every listing | Free, no account needed |
|---|---|
| An account: messaging, forum posts, mentor bookings, event registration | Free |
| A business, franchise or service listing | Free (basic tier) |
| Showcase or Premium placement for a listing, 30 days | Optional, paid |
| Pro membership: see new listings before the public lists | Optional, paid |
| Commission on a sale | None, ever |
Are you an adviser?
Lawyers, accountants, consultants, brokers and mentors meet people here at the moment they need help. A directory listing is free; a verified badge is a form in Settings.
Common questions
Is FounderCroft free to use?
Yes. Reading the guides, asking in the forum, browsing listings, and publishing a business, franchise or service listing are free. Paid extras are optional: Showcase and Premium placement for a listing, and the Pro membership for buyers who want to see new listings first. There is no commission on any deal.
Do I need an account to read the guides?
No. Guides, country pages, listings and the forum are open to everyone. You need a free account to message a seller, post in the forum, book a mentor or publish a listing.
Is the information on FounderCroft legal advice?
No. The guides are general information written for a named country and reviewed on a stated date. Before you file anything, confirm the details with a licensed lawyer or accountant in that country; the services directory lists them.
Which countries does FounderCroft cover?
Every country with at least one guide or listing has its own page under Start a business. Coverage grows as guides are published and businesses are listed; if your country is missing, the country-neutral guides and the forum still apply.