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As a founder, you’re there for everyone. Who’s there for you?

A closed circle of up to 10 founders who bring their challenges to the table. Confidential, among peers, facilitated by a former pro athlete & strategy consultant.

Founders max

2 hrs

Once a month

Dec 2026

Kickoff

Join waiting list

Book a 30-min intro call

STARTS DEC 2026 • FOUNDER CIRCLE • MAX. 10 FOUNDERS • MONTHLY, 2 HRS • ONLINE & ONSITE IN BERLIN • CONFIDENTIAL • REAL CASES, PSYCHOLOGY-BASED •
STARTS DEC 2026 • FOUNDER CIRCLE • MAX. 10 FOUNDERS • MONTHLY, 2 HRS • ONLINE & ONSITE IN BERLIN • CONFIDENTIAL • REAL CASES, PSYCHOLOGY-BASED •
STARTS DEC 2026 • FOUNDER CIRCLE • MAX. 10 FOUNDERS • MONTHLY, 2 HRS • ONLINE & ONSITE IN BERLIN • CONFIDENTIAL • REAL CASES, PSYCHOLOGY-BASED •

Sound familiar?

What founders rarely say out loud: not to the team, not to investors, often not even at home.

“I make the big calls alone.”

Team, investors and partner each see only part of it. Nobody sees the whole picture except you.

“It’s faster if I just do it myself.”

So you double-check everything, stay in every thread and work late again.

“My co-founder and I are fine.”

Probably. But you’ve never really talked about how you work together, only about what’s next.

“The round is closed. The pressure isn’t.”

It just changes shape: new hires, new expectations, a bigger story to live up to.

HOW THE FOUNDER CIRCLE WORKS

Real cases. Real peers. Once a month.

Max. 10 founders per circle, curated

Bring a real case

A decision, a conflict, a hire: whatever is on your mind this month.

Look at it from every side

Nine founders share how they see it. Lea adds the psychology behind it.

Leave with your next move

Clear enough to act on the next morning.

Two hours, once a month, online and onsite in Berlin. Over six months, the group gets to know your company and you.

Your network can get you a round. Not a room to be honest.

Investors, mentors, founder friends and coaches all help. Here is what a closed circle adds.

Peers without stakes

Investors and board members have an interest in your story. Here nobody does, so you can tell the real one.

Nine perspectives, not one

A coach or mentor gives you one view. Nine founders who have faced similar calls give you range.

Psychology, not hacks

Led by a psychotherapist who knows founder pressure. You work on the patterns behind your decisions.

What changes

Six months, ten founders, one honest room.

Clearer decisions, made with peers

Big calls get tested by people who have made similar ones, before you commit.

Letting go without losing control

You hand off more and check less, because you trust your team and yourself.

A room without the mask

Once a month, you don’t have to be the one who has it all figured out.

A network that isn’t transactional

Founders who know your real story, long after the six months.

YOUR FACILITATOR

Lea Mersch

Co-founder and lead coach at Deep Work Club. 15 years of professional basketball, 7 years in strategy consulting, now a licensed psychotherapist (CBT and schema therapy) and leadership coach. Lea has coached 200+ founders and executives.

200+

Founders & executives coached

15 yrs

Pro basketball

Psychotherapist

Leadership Coach

Former Pro Athlete

Deep Work Club Co-Founder

We work with founders & operators from

WHO IT’S FOR

Is this for you?

You’re a founder or co-founder with a team and you carry decisions nobody else fully sees.

You want honest input from peers, not a polished network or another playbook.

You’re ready to talk about what’s really going on and to do the same for others.

You can commit to six months: one session a month, online or in Berlin.

Not the right fit if you’re in an acute crisis right now, such as burnout or depression. A group isn’t the right first step then. Reach out anyway: we’ll help you find 1:1 support first.

Book a 30-min intro call

APPLY

Join the Founder Circle

Each circle is capped at 10 founders. We curate for range in industry and stage, never place direct competitors together, and talk to every applicant first. Not sure yet? Book a 30-minute intro call.

Book a 30-min intro call

Your intro call is with

Till Westermann

CEO & Co-Founder, Deep Work Club

till@deepwork.club

@tillwestermann

Founder Circle · Starts Dec 2026

€249

Join waiting list

per month · excl. VAT

Once a month, 2 hours, online & onsite in Berlin
Real cases, psychology-based, facilitated by Lea Mersch
A curated circle of max. 10 founders, under NDA

6-month commitment.

Once a month, 2 hours, online & onsite in Berlin
Real cases, psychology-based, facilitated by Lea Mersch
A curated circle under NDA

6-month commitment, so trust can build.

First circle starts December 2026

FAQ

How is this different from a founder network or mastermind?

Networks are great for intros and deals, but people show the polished version. This is the same small, curated group for six months, under confidentiality and facilitated by a coach, so you can talk about what’s actually hard.

Can my company pay for it?

Yes. It’s €249 per month excl. VAT, invoiced to your company, with a six-month commitment.

Who else is in the room?

Up to 10 founders and co-founders, curated by us for range in industry and stage. We don’t place direct competitors in the same circle and talk to every applicant first.

Is it confidential?

Yes. Everyone signs a confidentiality agreement (NDA) before the first session. What’s said in the circle stays there.

Online or in person?

Both. Sessions run online and onsite in Berlin, 2 hours once a month, so the circle fits around travel and fundraising.

When does it start?

The first Founder Circle starts in December 2026. Places are limited to 10.

What if I’m going through an acute crisis?

Then a group isn’t the right first step. If you’re dealing with burnout, depression or another acute situation, please reach out anyway. We’ll help you find the right 1:1 support first, and the circle will still be here later.