Forbes Business Council is a vetted professional organization for owners, founders, and executive leaders of small and medium-sized businesses.
Who is Forbes Business Council for?
Members of Forbes Business Council are respected owners, founders, and executive leaders of small and mid-sized businesses.
To qualify, your business must generate at least $500,000 USD in annual revenue, or have received $500,000 USD in funding to date.
Eligible applicants are vetted by our selection committee, and if approved, are invited to select and purchase a membership package.
Examples of council members include entrepreneurs who are either founders, partners, or executive leaders of small and medium-sized businesses.
Why Join Forbes Business Council?
SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE
Be Recognized As An Expert
Our platform allows you to easily share your technology expertise through quick, concise quotes using our mobile app or web portal via Expert Panels. Members can select questions they have a unique perspective on and provide a response in under 400 characters. Then, the most apt responses are curated by our editorial team and distilled into a single piece.
Expert Panels are the ideal path to increasing your visibility while balancing a demanding schedule, and all include your name, company name, and link to your Executive Profile.
GET PUBLISHED
Publishing Bylined Articles on Forbes.com
Forbes Business Council members can submit bylined articles to be published on Forbes.com, enhancing your reputation and credibility as a business leader.
Each piece is edited collaboratively with our team of expert editors to meet the publication’s guidelines. Once it’s ready, it’s published on Forbes.com and syndicated across our social media channels.
Bylined articles prominently feature your name under the article’s title, and include your headshot and short-form bio in the footer. These articles also include a link to your Executive Profile and a link to your LinkedIn profile.
Best of all: after your first bylined piece is published, you’ll also receive an author page on Forbes.com which includes your headshot, name, short-form bio, and a link to your full Executive Profile—further enhancing your reputation and your search engine presence.
CREDIBILITY
Your Executive Profile on Forbes.com
As a Forbes Business Council member, you’ll receive a professional Executive Profile on Forbes.com. This profile is optimized to be search-friendly, affirming your credibility as a business leader.
Your Executive Profile includes a headshot, professional bio, company description, links to your social media and website, and all of the content you’ve been featured in on Forbes.com.
You’ll receive an assortment of badging options for use on social media and business websites, highlighting your status as a Forbes Business Council member.
GROWTH
Connect, Learn, and Grow With Your Peers
Through our member portal and mobile app, you’ll be able to connect with a network of like-minded, successful entrepreneurs. As a member, you’ll be able to message others directly, share insights, pose questions, and participate in council-wide and group conversations.
With exclusive access to other owners, founders, and business leaders, the opportunities for business development and strategic partnerships are plenty.
Our members are committed to a lifetime of learning and growth. We host regular virtual events, led by a broad range of experts on the topics most relevant to you and your work, providing you the breadth of information required to address dynamic, real-time business challenges.
EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
Exclusive Business, Lifestyle, and Travel Benefits Through EXEC
As a Forbes Business Council member, you’ll receive complimentary access to EXEC, a highly curated hotel, travel, lifestyle, and business benefits program designed to improve the lives of busy executives.
Enjoy access to privately negotiated rates at the world’s most coveted hotels and resorts, discounts on flights, complimentary elite statuses, priority check-in, and flexible cancellation policies. With EXEC, you’ll receive preferred pricing at leading fitness, nutrition, wellness, apparel, and dining brands.
EXEC’s business benefits provide members with even more value through discounts on software, professional services, and more.
Exclusive Benefits for Forbes Councils Members
Private Business Coaching
For an additional cost, get matched with a certified coach, who will guide you and your company to reach your highest professional and business goals.
Member Support Team
At the core of the Forbes Councils experience is our member support team. Drawing on an extensive network of contacts, our team is dedicated to connecting you to the right people and resources.
Member Badges
As a member, you’ll have access to Forbes Councils web badges, decals, and press release templates. With these, it’s easy to share your affiliation with the Forbes community through both digital and print mediums.
Interactive Groups
Within your member portal, you’ll be able to join and create Groups—where you’ll be able to connect with members with similar interests.
Mobile App
Participate in Expert Panels, connect with other members, and stay updated on the go with the Forbes Councils mobile app available on iOS and Android.
Complimentary Strategy Session
Qualified members receive access to a free 30-minute strategy session with a premium business coach—discover hidden profit drivers and hone your focus.
Business Council
Forbes Business Council Members
There’s so much value in collaborating and borrowing from other industries.… Meeting people at the [Forbes Councils] gatherings… has been very eye-opening.
Lauren Abda
Founder & CEO, Branchfood
Forbes Councils does a really good job of vetting people to be part of the community. You really feel like you’re on the same level together and you’re going through very similar circumstances.
Jason Saltzman
Co-Founder & CEO, Relief
Answering Forbes Business Council Expert Panels is so easy and so quick, especially if the questions are related to what I'm passionate about, what our brand is about; it's so easy to quickly map out a thought, answer a question, and then be published alongside other industry experts.
Lindsay Tjepkema
CEO & Co-Founder, Casted
[Forbes Councils] has been an important part of my branding campaign. The tangible impact is that it adds to your credibility.
Dee Brown
CEO & Producer, The P3 Group Inc.
Forbes Business Council provides me a platform to connect, learn, and develop—a trifecta of personal and professional growth that you can't put a price on.
Sherry Taylor
Senior Regional Director, Office Depot
Publishing with Forbes Councils is a megaphone to help us contribute to the conversation and bring our message to a wider audience.
Annie Dickerson
Co-founder & Managing Partner, Goodegg Investments
Apply to Forbes Business Council
Membership in Forbes Business Council is for qualified founders, owners, and executive leaders of small and medium-sized businesses.
Qualified candidates interested in joining must meet the following minimum criteria:
Position
You must be the owner, founder, or executive leader of a business.
Revenue
Your business must generate at least $500,000 USD in annual revenue or funding.