The Ventures Club
Charter and Bylaws

Preamble

The Ventures Club is a membership association aimed at fostering innovation among founders, entrepreneurs, and tech leaders. As The Ventures Club, it serves as an exclusive hub for distinguished professionals, offering expert venture capital insights and strategic resources. This charter outlines the club’s mission, membership requirements, selection processes, governance structure, and operational guidelines, ensuring transparency and excellence in advancing entrepreneurial and technological leadership.

Article I: Purpose and Mission

The purpose of The Ventures Club is to create a collaborative community of founders, innovators, and industry leaders committed to excellence, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of technology and entrepreneurship. Our mission is to support members in achieving business growth, market influence, and technological innovation.

Article II: Membership Categories and Criteria

Membership in our Club is based on a rigorous selection process conducted by an independent committee of recognized experts. 

The Club offers multiple membership levels, with the highest level awarded exclusively to professionals with outstanding achievements. To attain this level, a candidate must demonstrate a significant contribution to their professional field, recognized on a national or international level.

Membership is categorized into two primary groups:

1. Founders

Applicants must demonstrate:

1. Funding and Investment Milestones
  • Business must has raised at least $500,000 investment or capital, or be actively engaged in fundraising with visible progress, such as securing major leads or strategic partnerships.
2. Revenue and Business Impact
  • Company must demonstrate a minimum annual revenue of $200,000 or equivalent revenue-generating milestones, indicating substantial market traction and business success. Alternatively, successful scaling or profitability in a niche or emerging market will be considered.
3. User Engagement and Market Adoption
  • Startup must show substantial engagement, with a minimum of 6 Monthly Active Users (MAUs), a growing customer base, or other relevant metrics such as active users, retention rates, or customer lifetime value (CLV) that clearly demonstrate market validation.
4. Leadership, Industry Impact and Public Recognition
  • Proven influence or industry contributions, such as founding impactful companies or industry-driven initiatives that have had a tangible impact on its industry or market segment, driving change or innovation.
    For example, how a startup has transformed an underserved market, or how an innovator has contributed to positive change in their field, successfully driving diversity in tech, or advancing sustainable or ethical innovations.
  • As a Founder or C-level executive, has been featured in publications, interviews, or podcasts, or has received recognition in startup awards or industry events. Examples include media coverage in well-known tech publications and significant online presence.

2. Distinguished Tech Innovators

Applicants must demonstrate:

1. Leadership and Advisory Roles
  • Holds or has held a senior leadership or advisory roles in high-impact tech companies, organizations, or initiatives, with supporting evidence of strategic influence within the organization or the industry (recommendations, titles).
2. Innovative Industry Impact
  • Demonstrates a proven track record of technological innovation and its disruptive impact on industry standards, such as developing new technologies, creating patents, or spearheading new practices that have led to measurable change within the field.
3. Industry or Global Recognition and Validation
  • Recognized for exceptional contributions to the technology industry, demonstrate significant achievements such as notable published research, patents, publications, significant awards, or invitations to speak at major conferences, validated by peer-reviewed awards, global rankings, or expert reviews that highlight influence within their field and beyond.
Evaluation Process

To streamline the evaluation and ensure fairness in selection, we apply the following process:

  • Threshold for Interview: Applicants who meet at least one of the criteria above will be invited to interview.
  • Stronger Case for Acceptance: Meeting multiple criteria will significantly increase your likelihood of acceptance, as it demonstrates a higher level of achievement and industry recognition.
  • Expert Panel Review: Applications will be assessed by an expert panel that includes recognized professionals in tech and business to ensure a fair and rigorous evaluation process.

Article III: Admission Procedure Description

The admission procedure for the Club is documented in the club's charter, which outlines a rigorous selection process aimed at accepting only outstanding professionals. 

According to the charter, candidates for membership must undergo an independent evaluation conducted by recognized national or international experts in the relevant professional field. These experts assess the candidates’ achievements based on their professional accomplishments, contributions to the advancement of the field, and the societal impact of their work.

Only candidates who successfully pass this selection process, as stipulated in the club’s guidelines, are invited to join and receive an official acceptance letter as confirmation of their membership.

Article IV: Membership Selection Process

The selection process includes an evaluation of the candidate's merits by an expert panel, based on objective and publicly available criteria. 

1. Application Submission
  • Candidates submit detailed applications including a summary of achievements, financial performance, media recognition, and industry contributions.
2. Expert Panel Review
  • A panel of seasoned industry experts, including entrepreneurs, investors, and field specialists, will assess applications based on outlined criteria.
  • Evaluation categories include professional milestones, innovation, leadership, and ecosystem impact.
3. Nomination and Peer Recommendations
  • Candidates can be nominated by current members or external partners. Recommendations should provide evidence of candidate’s impact and professional influence.
4. Decision and Admission
  • A majority vote by the expert panel is required for admission.
  • Applicants meeting at least one criterion will be invited for an interview; meeting multiple criteria increases the likelihood of acceptance.
5. Confirmation of Membership
  • Accepted members receive an official letter confirming their membership and outlining responsibilities.

Article V: Governance and Board Structure

The Club is overseen by a Board of Directors comprising Executive Members: Founding members and high-impact leaders. 

Responsibilities: The board reviews membership policies, oversees the selection panel, and manages community initiatives.

Article VI: Code of Conduct and Ethics

The All members are expected to:

  • Adhere to ethical standards, ensuring professionalism in all interactions.
  • Maintain confidentiality, especially regarding proprietary information shared within the community.
  • Contribute actively to The Ventures ecosystem by participating in discussions, sharing expertise, and mentoring others.

Article VII: Amendments to the Charter

Amendments can be proposed by board members or a petition signed by at least 10% of active members. Changes will be approved by a two-thirds majority vote by the Board of Directors.

The current version of the charter has been in effect since May 1, 2024