The One Percent Project- Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Resilience Episode 86: Private Communities Are the Future w/Utsav Somani
13 snips
Nov 8, 2025 
Utsav Somani, founder of Offline and early architect of AngelList in India, dives deep into the world of private communities for tech founders. He discusses the necessity of saying no to protect creative time, and how cold outreach can cut bias in networking. Utsav shares insights on building a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, contrasting Offline with traditional setups like YPO. He emphasizes the importance of in-person connections and the role of executive coaching in fostering genuine relationships. Expect a vision for the future of exclusive communities!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Private Peer Groups As Executive Therapy
- Scaled founders need private, facilitated peer groups to discuss sensitive, high-stakes issues candidly.
- Monthly three-hour coach-led sessions act like professional group therapy and produce rapid, practical learning.
Depth Over Breadth For Memberships
- Depth beats breadth for high-value communities; small membership preserves intimacy and quality.
- Limit size early to protect engagement and enable highly personalised service.
Hire Skilled Facilitators For Deep Sessions
- Use trained executive coaches with consulting and psychology backgrounds to run peer sessions.
- Choose facilitators who can read people, ensure participation, and probe beyond surface statements.