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