Frequently Asked Questions

Counder is the network for collective understanding. We bring together curious people from completely different worlds — entrepreneurs, investors, executives, cultural leaders, and philanthropists — to make sense of what’s going on in the world, and act on it. The network spans multiple continents and disciplines, and is built through the annual Counder Conference in Cape Town.

Counder exists to bring together curious people from completely different worlds, bridge diverse perspectives, and foster collective understanding that drives meaningful collaboration.

Yes. Counder prioritises privacy through rigorous safeguards, never distributing information without explicit authorisation, and ensuring only relevant communications reach you.

Counder Conference is the annual gathering of the network — five days in Cape Town where the network comes together to make sense of what’s going on in the world. It is the heart of Counder: where the network is built, where understanding begins, and where connections that last far beyond the week are formed.

An unconference is a participant-driven format. The conversations, sessions, and explorations that emerge from the week are shaped by the people in attendance. Every attendee contributes, listens and engages.

All conversations at Counder Conference take place under Chatham House Rule: participants are free to share what they hear, but may not attribute it to any individual or organisation. This creates an environment where people can speak candidly and think out loud without consequence.

The Conference runs 25–29 January 2027, each day with its own rhythm:

• Monday 25 Jan — Partner Reception: An evening welcome for all partners — the committed core who arrive early and set the tone for the week.
• Tuesday 26 Jan — Opening Reception: The full network arrives. Five hundred members and partners come together for the collective opening of the week. Mission Partners enjoy a pre-conference Mission Partner programme.
• Wednesday 27 Jan — Context Day: The intellectual heart of the week. A full day at Norval Foundation dedicated to depth, connection, and open exploration.
• Thursday 28 Jan — Connect Day: The energy shifts. Experiential activities, Cape Town immersions, and a Gala Dinner.
• Friday 29 Jan — Counder & Friends: The conference opens up. Partner-hosted events across the city, and an evening Celebration that brings thousands together.

Attendance is by invitation for Counder Conference. Invited members attend at no cost, with the option to support the network as a Mission Partner. A small number of self-applications are accepted each year through the Mission Partner pathway (€2,500), which includes full Conference access alongside additional benefits.

The 2027 Conference runs 25–29 January in Cape Town, South Africa.

Cape Town offers a rare combination: a city that is simultaneously a place of beauty and complexity, creative energy and historical weight. It is a place that prompts reflection, broadens perspective and encourages connection.

Three pillars define the Counder experience:

• Conference — the annual five-day gathering in Cape Town, where the 500+ members come together to make sense of what’s going on in the world.
• Network — the community that the Conference builds over time: current members, alumni of past editions, the partners who enable it all and guests.
• Counder & Friends — where the conference opens up. A day of partner-hosted events and an evening Celebration on the final day of Conference week, bringing thousands of people together from across Cape Town and beyond.

Counder & Friends is the final day of Conference week — Friday 29 January 2027. It is when the conference opens up: partners host their own events and activities across Cape Town during the day, and everyone comes together for the Counder & Friends Celebration in the evening. Thousands of people. Countless perspectives.

Counder & Friends is open to a much wider community than the Conference itself. Conference members receive a +1 guest pass; Mission Partners (€2,500+) receive +2 guests. Partners bring their own networks. Anyone can join the waitlist to be considered for access.

Join the waitlist via the Counder & Friends page and we’ll keep you in the loop as programming develops and registration opens.

Members are the people who form the Conference cohort each year — invited to attend, carefully selected from across disciplines, industries, and regions. To be a member is to be part of that year’s gathering and, afterwards, a permanent part of the Counder alumni community.

Every member who attends a Counder Conference becomes an alumnus. Alumni remain connected to the network after their year — part of the broader Counder community and invited to future editions as guests.

A Counder Guest is someone brought into the Counder ecosystem by a member or partner. Guests typically attend Counder & Friends — the final day of Conference week — through a guest pass extended by a member or partner.

A Mission Partner is someone who chooses to go further — supporting the Counder mission through a financial contribution. Mission Partners help sustain the network and unlock an additional layer of involvement: pre-conference programming, early app access, official recognition, a seat at the Partner Reception, and additional Counder & Friends guest passes. Contributions start from €1,000; full perks are unlocked at €2,500.

Intentionally so. Each cohort is limited to 500 people, selected for the diversity of their perspective, the depth of their experience, and their genuine commitment to collective understanding. Member referrals are the most common pathway. For Counder & Friends, the process is more open — join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch as registration opens.

Conference access, connection to a global network across every discipline and continent, year-round engagement with the community, exclusive insights, and the opportunity to deepen involvement through partnership.

The primary commitment is the annual Conference — five days in Cape Town each January. Beyond that, participation is flexible and self-directed.

Partners should arrive by Monday 25 January ahead of the Partner Reception that evening. All other members should plan to arrive by Tuesday 26 January for the Opening Reception. We recommend booking departures for Saturday 30 January. January is peak summer in Cape Town — book accommodation early.

We’ve curated a list of recommended properties across the city — from the Waterfront to Constantia and the Atlantic Seaboard.

Uber is the most convenient option for airport transfers and getting around the city. Many boutique hotels also offer private transfers. The V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, and Gardens areas are walkable during the day — avoid solo walking at night.

Fine dining: FYN (Afro-Japanese fusion), La Colombe (treehouse setting), The Test Kitchen Carbon (immersive tasting).

Atmosphere: Chef’s Warehouse, Kloof Street House, Mantra Café.

Coffee: Jarryds, Jason Bakery, Truth Coffee Roasting, Harvest Café.

Nearby: Table Mountain Cableway, Zeitz MOCAA, V&A Waterfront.

Optional escapes: Lion’s Head sunrise hike, Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, Constantia Valley wine route.

Extended trips: Cape Point Nature Reserve, Boulders Beach penguin colony, Franschhoek wine village, Kalk Bay.

Five days of participant-driven conversations, shared experiences, and genuine connection — fully catered and at no cost to invited members. Expect breakout sessions you help shape, and experiences across Cape Town.

Identification (passport, ID, or driver’s licence), business cards for networking, and your conference name badge for subsequent days. Most importantly — an open, curious approach.

Connect is your central information hub for the Conference — consolidating logistics, your personal schedule, and introductions to other attendees. Access details are sent ahead of the Conference. The platform uses a double opt-in system for introductions, so every connection is mutually intended.