Sidebar runs a paid group coaching program built around small peer groups (typically eight to ten members plus a leader) and proprietary videoconferencing for twice-monthly, 90-minute facilitated sessions. An algorithm matches members by level, role, background, interests and whether they are in transition, with periodic calibration intended to promote demographic balance. The platform also includes goal tracking, messaging, live events, community forums, resource libraries and session recordings, and enforces privacy rules that prohibit sharing employer, project or name details. Membership is gated by application and interview and typically requires criteria such as 10+ years of experience, founder status, or a referral; annual membership costs $3,600. Sidebar says it has “hundreds” of early members, a 5,000-person waitlist, and some corporate sponsorships for employee memberships. The company was founded by former Facebook product manager Lexy Franklin and currently has a 20-person staff. Sidebar plans to hire engineers and scientists to improve matching algorithms and add collaboration tools, and it may eventually offer parts of the platform to HR departments as an employee benefit or training product.

Total raised

$14M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Oct 2023