Communities on Finder are tech communities with a direct or substantial indirect effect on the technological innovation ecosystem. Key terms you need to understand to navigate Finder communities include shared elements, community types,member types, andtypes of resources.
· SHARED ELEMENTS
There are 3 types of shared elements for communities on Finder:
1. Common Ground (CG) – This refers to a community with a shared interest that includes a clear definition of the target audience, defines what the community stands for, and distinguishes a process it wants to take its members through.
2. Common Space (CS) – This refers to a community with a shared physical space where the community interacts and communicates. The community should have clear rules and principles for using their space. The members must be registered or formally affiliated with the space.
3. Community Leaders (CL) – This refers to the facilitators of the community: the admins and decision-makers of the group. CLs need to harness their background and commit to the continuation and success of the community.
· COMMUNITY TYPES
There are 6 types of communities:
1. Professional – Professional Communities bring together professionals with clear proficiency in working with tech companies. Examples include developers, applicative researchers, HR professionals, marketers, and salespeople.
2. Regional – Regional Communities are those communities in which the primary shared element is the regional affiliation (CG). Afrilabs is one example of a regional community: a huge community with many sub-communities in different African cities. The members’ Common Ground is to develop the African region.
3. Founder – Founder Communities’ primary shared element is the fact they bring together founders of tech companies (CG). One example is Start-Up Grind, a global founder network.
4. Investor – Investor Communities’ primary shared element is investing (CG). For example, NEOME is a community of female investors collectively investing over $100K in startups.
5. Alumni – Alumni Communities' primary shared element is being a graduate of a program or organization that is tech related or focused (CG). Examples include MassChallenge Alumni, “Googlers”, and MBA Students from Stanford that meet around entrepreneurship, etc.
6. Sector – Sector Communities' primary shared element is the specific industry or cluster around a subject that may become a tech industry (CG). One example is Ecomotion, the Israeli smart mobility community.
· MEMBER TYPES
There are 3 community membership types:
· Inclusive (open to everyone)
· Selective (specific criteria need to be met)
· Invite-only (membership only possible by invitation)
· RESOURCES
There are 3 types of resources:
Shared spaces – These are the communities with physical shared spaces. The drop-down menu will enable community managers to choose from a list that includes event space, co-working space, meeting rooms, conference rooms, classrooms, and labs.
Databases – Shared databases that community members have access to. For example, databases of potential clients and their interests, free access to libraries or research publications, lists of service providers with proficiency in the community’s area of interest, databases of accelerators specializing in the community's area of interest, etc.
Utilities – Resources that are not databases that community members can enjoy. Community managers can choose the utilities from a dropdown menu: newsletters, dedicated online platforms (not FB/LinkedIn or other free platforms), webinar platforms, courses & workshops, and expert office hours. Additionally, get access to unique cloud services, global partners, specific corporations, investors, and unique APIs, machinery, and equipment.
