Peer Circles

Discover a rare haven with SVN’s Peer Circle Program, an exclusive membership perk where you can engage in open discussions on topics that are off-limits elsewhere.

* Accepting applications for 2025

What are Peer Circles?

As change makers, consultants, and social venture pioneers, it is sometimes hard to stay the course with the important work we do when so often we feel alone and under-resourced. Peer Circles are designed to help you dream bigger and dive deeper. This unique space fosters collaboration and support, setting aside competition to focus on genuine connection and understanding.

Why Apply?

Businesses with a purpose beyond profit are the catalysts of our time. They require fierce perseverance, humility, drive, and, most of all, leadership. Given the various hoops and hurdles one must overcome in today’s global arena, a peer group of trusted believers can help you to identify blind spots, offer tips and advice, and push and hold you accountable to your highest sense of self.

Here’s What You’ll Get:

  • Camaraderie with values-aligned leaders

  • Access to expert peer advice on how to grow your business and not compromise your values

  • Shared expertise and referral opportunities

  • Recognition and showcasing opportunities through the sharing structure

  • Blind spot identification through the feedback structure

  • Safe environment to discuss and get feedback on tricky and confidential issues

  • An opportunity to build trust and friendships with other social impact leaders

  • Alignment between language and truth

  • Other perspectives on problem solving

  • Accountability to your set goals, and, most of all, leadership.

What People Are Saying

“Having spent the past 5 years with a remarkable team in a Social Venture Network Peer Group has given me incredible personal value for my business and for my life. The calibre of the professionals in my Peer Circle alongside the deep wisdom, empathy, listening and coaching I have received and provided has been invaluable. Each month, the opportunity to be with my SVN Peer Group inspires me and gives me the opportunity to share in a safe, respectful environment any challenge, upset, or concern I am dealing with in my business and life and either move past the challenge and/or get supportive ideas on how to move through whatever I'm dealing with.  I'm very grateful for SVN!”

— Xavier Dubois, CEO & Founder, evox

How do they work?

  • Pods are made up of 5 -7 values-aligned entrepreneurs.

  • Pods are carefully selected based on the following criteria: stage of business, diversity, industry, subject matter expertise, and harmonious group dynamics.

  • Pods typically meet monthly throughout the year. However, your group may independently choose to take August off, for example, as it can be harder to get folks together then.

  • Meetings are 2 hours total and the dates are selected based on the results of an online poll organized within your group.

  • Pods will receive training on best practices for meeting logistics, roles, agendas, rotations, and agreements.

  • Each candidate commits to participating in all 10-12 sessions.

  • Pods can elect to continue on year after year as SVN members.

 FAQs

  • All Peer Circles will be conducted online using the video call platform agreed upon by the group.

  • We do our best to match you with a pod of social impact leaders who will help you thrive and you them. Pods are carefully selected based on the following criteria: stage of business, diversity, industry, subject matter expertise, and harmonious group dynamics. It can therefore take up to 2 months to place you in a Peer Circle, as we accept applications on a rolling basis. Sometimes there's not a perfect match for you and so we keep you in mind for when there is.

  • All pods will meet once a month for 2 hours. Once the applications for the first cohort are closed, we will be sending out a Doodle Poll to find the most desirable time for a training seminar to get you acquainted with your pod and kick it off for success. During that seminar, you will have the opportunity to set up your monthly meeting time with your group.

  • We strive to be as inclusive as possible. The following are our considerations when forming groups: stage of business, diversity, industry, subject matter expertise, and group dynamics. We also consider any self-indicated identities important to the applicant.

  • Peer Circles are exclusively available to SVN Members as a membership perk. To participate, you'll need to become an SVN Member. You can sign up at here. If you have accessibility concerns, we offer an equal access membership option to ensure everyone can join. Email memberships@svn.org for more information about this membership option.

  • Our 2024 Peer Circles have officially launched. However, we are receiving applications on a continuous basis. The next round of Peer Circles will launch in Q1 2025.