When Brian Mlambo started Founders in Tech (FIT) , he wasn't trying to build a media company or an events business. He was trying to solve a problem he felt personally: African founders needed one room where the conversation was practical, not theoretical.
That single decision — make it useful, not impressive — is the reason FIT is now South Africa's largest entrepreneurship community, with more than 50,000 members across 8 countries.
Start with the room you wish existed
Every community Brian Mlambo has built started the same way: he looked for the room he needed and couldn't find it, then built it himself. For FIT, that meant a space where founders talked about cash flow, tenders and hiring — not just funding rounds and pitch decks.
Community is a product, not a marketing channel
Brian treats FIT like any other company inside Akha Ventures Group. It has a roadmap, a retention strategy and a monetisation model — the FIT Operators tier, a capped paid inner circle for members who want deeper accountability.
The flagship event is where the community becomes visible
The annual Tech in Business Summit (TIBS) is FIT's flagship event — the moment 50,000 members and their networks see the community in one physical room, with corporate partners alongside them.
Frequently Asked
Founders in Tech was founded by Brian Mlambo, a Johannesburg-based entrepreneur and founder of Akha Ventures Group.
Founders in Tech has more than 50,000 members across 8 countries.
FIT Operators is a capped, paid inner-circle membership tier inside Founders in Tech for founders who want deeper accountability and coaching.