Overview | Calendar | Past Forums | Guidelines

H2 Forums convene leaders in the H2 community for trusted discussions around leading scaleups and company growth themes in a small group setting. Held throughout the year in every H2 Chapter, these unique sessions facilitate valuable industry connections, learning, and support opportunities across H2's global network.

Forum Participants

Forum participation is on an invitation only basis and designed for participants affiliated with the H2 community, targeting 15-20 (capped) participants, including the following:

 

  • H2 Members: industry leaders from local H2 Chapter
  • Partner(s): collaborating industry organization(s) (e.g. investor, corporate, ecosytem)
  • Founders: invited Founder/CEOs of scaleup companies
  • Guests: external industry leaders (non H2 members) invited on nomination basis

H2 Forums follow the Chatham House Rule to promote trusted exchange and open conversations and operate on either a self pay or Chapter supported basis. Forum sessions are supported by a Session Host (H2 member) on a rotating basis and may include participation from Partner organizations (see below).

 

Format

Hosted quarterly in each H2 Chapter, the default agenda and segments for Chapter Forums (approximately 2 hours in length) are as follows:

 

  • Reception - 30 min
  • Welcome - 10 min; kickoff and participant intros
  • Discussion - 30/60 min (1-2 speakers, 30 min each) 
  • Community - 30 min (updates/leads/needs)
  • Close & Networking 

The Discussion segment includes participation from invited Speakers (Founder/CEOs of scaleups) covering company journey highlights, key learnings and a selected challenge/opportunity for group input. The Community segment includes a round robin covering updates/needs/leads across Forum participants. Chapter Forums are supported by Session Hosts (H2 members) and are by default held in H2 member/partner offices that offer appropriate space on a rotating basis.

 

Session Host

Chapter Forums are organized by Session Hosts (H2 members) on a rotating basis with operational support from Global and Chapter Directors. Core planning activities typically center around the following:

 

  • Partner(s): engagement with collaborating partner organizations
  • Speaker(s): selection of and engagement with invited Speakers
  • Venue: selection of appropriate space including H2 member/partner offices

 

Forum Partners

Forums may include collaborations from Partner organizations on a per Forum basis around selection of Founders (speakers), Guest invites and/or venue. Partner organization types typically include the following:

 

  • VC: emerging or established local, regional and global funds
  • Corporate: major regional or global corporate
  • Ecosystem: other ecosystem affiliated organizations (e.g. universities)

 

Mixers & Socials

H2 Mixers are hosted as informal events at the Chapter level and structured as drop in events over drinks or lunch/dinner giving H2 members the opportunity to connect locally on an informal basis. Invited participants include H2 members and optionally may include Guest attendees who are nominated H2 prospects to aid membership growth. H2 Mixers are organized (planning timeline: 2-3 weeks min) and hosted by a designated H2 member on a self-pay basis for all participants.

 

H2 Socials are organized and hosted at a Chapter level (e.g. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) as casual events offering H2 members and invited Guests the opportunity to develop relationships and network with fellow participants. Invited Guests may include nominated H2 prospects to aid membership growth and/or +1 Guests of H2 members. H2 Socials are organized (planning timeline: 4-6 weeks) and hosted by a designated H2 member on a default Chapter supported basis (free for participants) utilizing partner/sponsor funds. 

 

Both Mixers and Socials are organized through collaborations between hosting H2 members, H2 Global and partner/sponsor organizations (as appropriate).