Building without a VC: How Open Forest reached €1M in annual revenue

​Early-stage founders often build without VC funding - and prove it's possible to scale without giving up equity or control.

​Open Forest is a company compliance operating system that helps small businesses meet their legal, tax, and accounting obligations automatically, under one roof, at a fraction of the usual cost. Stuart Connolly, CEO  & Co-founder built it to €1M in annual revenue without raising venture capital.

​This conversation explores how he got there - the go-to-market decisions that made it work, the moments that tested the model, and what sustainable, profitable growth actually looks like from the inside.

​Stuart will speak openly about what that path required and what it cost.

​Moderated by Malaika Judd, MD of NDRC Accelerator.

​For founders questioning whether they need to raise, or looking for a different playbook for building a real business.

​Speakers

• ​Stuart Connolly, CEO & Co-founder of Open Forest

• ​Moderated by Malaika Judd, Managing Director of NDRC Accelerator

​Agenda

​17:00 | Doors open

​17:30 | Fireside chat

​18:15 | Drinks & networking