​"Could Your Company Thrive Without its Founder(s)? The Governance Challenge for Start-ups and SMEs."

​Organized by TheMerode. Powered by BeAngels. In partnership with GUBERNA.

​In the early years of a company, everything often revolves around its founder; vision, network, decision‑making, fundraising, recruitment… This centralisation can be a tremendous strength, but it also creates a significant vulnerability.

​What happens if the founder is suddenly no longer able to lead the business?

​Illness, an accident, an unexpected departure or a shift in direction can quickly jeopardise continuity and impact relationships with investors, employees and customers. Yet very few young companies truly prepare for such a scenario.​

​To address this critical topic openly, GUBERNA, in partnership with BeAngels and TheMerode Club, is organizing a lunch session dedicated to how governance can strengthen the resilience of start-ups and SMEs.

​Practical information:

• ​Date: Friday 16 October 2026
• ​Time: 12h00-13h15
• ​Location: TheMerode, Place Poelaert 6, 1000 Brussels
• ​Contact: events@guberna.be

​​Through insights from entrepreneurs, investors and experienced board directors, the discussion will explore practical governance approaches that reduce dependency on a single individual, reinforce decision‑making and support sustainable business growth. At the heart of the debate lies one essential question: Could your company continue to grow if its founder were no longer there tomorrow?

​This is a crucial conversation for any organisation seeking to evolve from a founder‑centric structure to a governance model that ensures long‑term resilience, continuity and sustainable value creation.​

​Participation is free of charge, but please make sure to secure your spot as seats are limited.