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"The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.\nName: FoundersCard\nQuick Pitch: FoundersCard is a membership community providing networking and exclusive benefits for entrepreneurs and innovators.\nGenius Idea: Providing entrepreneurs with ongoing access to benefits, discounts, networking events and amenities that meet their needs.\nIf top executives at large companies and investment banks have access to benefits and networking opportunities, then why don\u2019t entrepreneurs?\nThat's the question that lead Eric Kuhn to start FoundersCard, a membership community for entrepreneurs and innovators that provides its members with exclusive benefits, discounts, amenities and frequent networking events that meet their needs.\n\u201CI wanted to create a community that allows entrepreneurs to have access to amazing and great opportunities,\u201D Kuhn told Mashable. \u201CFoundersCard is a community that helps them by giving them access to ongoing support and the opportunities that they deserve.\u201D\nMembers receive a sleek, silver personalized card in the mail and can take advantage of all FoundersCard benefits from popular travel, lifestyle and business brands around theworld. A few of the most popular brands include Virgin Atlantic Airways, Apple, Zip Car, W Hotels, Qantas Airways and St. Regis Hotels.\nFoundersCard also hosts exclusive monthly networking events for its members. January\u2019s event was in Las Vegas, and this month members will meet in San Francisco.\n\u201CIt can be lonely being an entrepreneur or a founder, so we wanted to give them a chance to connect with each other, share experiences and meet on a personal level,\u201D says Kuhn.\nTo give back to the entrepreneurial community, FoundersCard members can also create their own benefits and deals from their companies for fellow entrepreneurs.\nA FoundersCard membership costs $495 per year with a one-time fee of $65. Although most members are referred by existing members, interested entrepreneurs can inquire about membership on the FoundersCard site. There's an application process that focuses on the member\u2019s company and his or her commitment to the entrepreneurial community.\nInterested in becoming a member? The FoundersCard team has provided a code for Mashable\u2019s readers to purchase a membership for $295. To obtain this deal, just type in the code \u201CFCMASH12 on the FoundersCard website.\nLaunched in 2010, FoundersCard is self-funded and currently has 5,000 members around the world.\nSeries Supported by Microsoft BizSpark\n\n\nThe Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/02/16/founderscard/>