You don't have to figure this out alone.
Fortitude helps founders in crisis stabilise, recover, and rebuild — with practical support from people who've actually been through it.
Who we help
Entrepreneurs who are experiencing:
- business failure, insolvency pressure, or serious cash stress
- burnout, anxiety, loss of confidence, or identity collapse
- founder conflict, reputational stress, or "everything is on fire" overwhelm
(Also: the friends/family/boards who want to support them but don't know how.)
If you need support right now
Fortitude is still being built, and we're not a crisis service. But if you're struggling, these organisations can help immediately:
If you're in immediate danger, please call 999.
Fortitude is not a substitute for professional mental health support, medical care, or legal advice. Our volunteers are experienced founders — not trained counsellors. Where we identify that someone needs clinical or professional help, we'll always encourage and help them access it.
What we do
Three phases to help founders move from crisis to clarity
Stabilise
When everything feels urgent, we help founders cut through the noise. Stabilise is about triage: getting clear on what matters this week, what can wait, and what needs an immediate decision. We focus on practical next steps - cash and commitments, crisis communications, and reducing overwhelm - so you can move from spiralling to steady.
"From spiralling to steady"
Recover
Once the immediate fire is contained, we help founders rebuild capacity and confidence. Recover combines structure, accountability, and founder-led support so you're not doing it alone. It's about processing what happened without getting stuck in it, restoring routines and decision-making, and creating a realistic plan that puts stability first.
"You're not doing it alone"
Rebuild
Rebuild is the path back to momentum - with a focus on sustainable income and a healthier way forward. We help founders translate hard lessons into a clear next chapter: returning to work, launching a consulting offering, or building again with better foundations. The goal isn't just "back in the game" - it's building a future you actually want to live in.
"A future you want to live in"
What it looks like in practice
From first contact to forward momentum
You reach out
Fill in a short, confidential form — or someone who cares about you refers you. No pressure. No commitment. We just need to understand what you're dealing with.
We respond within 48 hours
A volunteer founder — someone who's been through crisis themselves — reaches out to arrange a one-to-one triage conversation. No scripts. No intake forms. Just a real conversation about what's happening and what matters most right now.
We help you find your next right step
Triage isn't therapy and it isn't advice. It's practical: what needs attention this week? What can wait? Do you need a solicitor, an accountant, a sounding board, or just someone who gets it? We help you prioritise and connect you with the right people.
You're not on your own after that
Depending on what you need, we can connect you with a peer support circle (other founders navigating similar ground), specialist volunteers (legal, financial, HR), or ongoing check-ins to keep you moving from crisis to stability to momentum.
What we don't do
We're not therapists, financial advisors, or insolvency practitioners. We don't replace professional services — we help you find and access them when everything feels too overwhelming to navigate alone. If you need clinical support, we'll help you find it.
A note on where we are
We haven't launched the full programme yet. We're currently registering as a UK charity, building our volunteer network, and raising the initial funding to run our first pilot triage sessions. If you're a founder in crisis right now, please reach out anyway — we'll do what we can and connect you with what exists today.
Supporting someone you care about
If you're here because someone you care about is going through a founder crisis — you're already doing something that matters. Most people don't know what to say or do. The fact that you're looking for help is a sign you care.
Here are a few things to know:
You don't need to fix it.
The instinct to solve problems is natural, but founders in crisis often don't need solutions — they need someone who'll listen without judgement. "I don't know what to say, but I'm here" is more powerful than most advice.
Don't minimise it.
"It was just a business" or "you'll bounce back" can feel devastating to someone whose identity is wrapped up in what they built. Acknowledge that this is genuinely hard.
Practical help matters more than words.
Helping with a meal, picking up kids from school, or sitting next to someone while they make a difficult phone call — these things matter far more than inspirational quotes.
You can point them to Fortitude.
If they're open to it, share this website with them. We'll never contact someone without their knowledge — but we can be here when they're ready.
Look after yourself too.
Supporting someone in crisis is draining. You don't have to do this alone either.
Ready to take the first step?
Fill in our short, confidential form. No pressure. No commitment. We'll be in touch within 48 hours.
Confidential. No spam. We'll only contact you about Fortitude.