UK-born entrepreneur and Founder of United Founders, Patrick Searle, sits down with Indonesia Expat to share his journey of building a 400+ member Bali founder community.
In this insightful conversation, Patrick discusses the importance of connecting local entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, and shaping Bali’s future as a global hub for innovation and sustainability.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who is Patrick Searle?
I’m a global entrepreneur with roots in the UK. My journey has taken me across continents, having lived in London, Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, and now Bali. I’ve collaborated with some of the world’s largest global brands and creators, helping them navigate digital and social marketing, while also building multiple businesses across Southeast Asia.
My time in London highlighted the value of highly curated events, where I connected with inspiring advisors and mentors who played a pivotal role in guiding me early in my career. Inspired by these experiences, I went on to organise creator mornings in Shanghai, as well as creator and marketing meetups in Jakarta, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
Now in Bali, I continue this tradition with United Founders, hosting two events every week to bring founders and leaders together. These events go beyond fostering connections—they serve as a platform for learning and education, offering participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, gain valuable insights, and grow within a vibrant community of like-minded individuals.
What first sparked your interest in entrepreneurship, and how did your early experiences influence your approach to leadership and business?
My interest in entrepreneurship first took shape during my college years, when I was fortunate enough to dive into it by organising large college parties of 1,000+ people. Through this experience, I discovered how enjoyable it could be to create memorable events while also making money—back then, for charity.
Regarding my approach to leadership and business, in the early days of social media, I took every opportunity to learn from top thinkers in startups, strategy, and management. Observing how these experts navigated challenges and embraced innovation gave me an inside look at effective leadership and business strategies.
At the time, many of these modern practices were yet to reach Asia, but once we applied them, they led to significant business success. My early employees–in turn–also leveraged these learnings and have since risen to leadership positions in various startups across Southeast Asia!
Although social media has evolved to be less personable, the spirit of open learning and sharing remains a guiding principle for me. This ethos is at the heart of United Founders: we strive to create a safe and supportive environment where entrepreneurs can learn, grow, and collaborate. By fostering a culture of shared insights and mutual support, we help founders develop their ideas and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Tell us about United Founders.
In my last business, I realised firsthand how powerful it is to have fellow founders and advisors around me because when you’re at the top, you often face challenges you can’t discuss with colleagues, investors, board members, co-founders—or even your life partner—without worrying them. The problem, however, is that it’s not always easy to find or build these types of connections to get the support you need.
That’s precisely where United Founders comes in. With close to 400 members, making it easy for founders and leaders to forge deep, meaningful relationships with like-minded peers who truly understand the unique challenges of entrepreneurship. Beyond that, we provide a range of resources that help you save time and money as you scale your business. Our aim is to ensure that no founder ever has to tackle their toughest challenges alone—and instead can grow, learn, and succeed within a supportive founder community.
What is the biggest challenges Bali-based founders face, and how does United Founders support them in overcoming these hurdles?
Bali-based founders often grapple with bureaucratic systems, limited access to funding, and the need to balance local and global business dynamics. Compounding these challenges is the island’s tourist-driven environment—and the fact that founders are spread out across Bali—which makes it harder to know who to work with and stay informed about the local business scene.
Now with close to 400 members, we tackle these hurdles by running weekly niche industry events and weekly expert trainings/office hours. Alongside these in-person gatherings, we also maintain a vibrant online founder community where founders can access qualified advice from people who have successfully built businesses here, as well as curated peer groups that bring together entrepreneurs facing similar challenges and looking for accountability and growth.
I’m especially proud that our network has led to meaningful outcomes—from new business deals and smarter strategic decisions to qualified recommendations for service or product suppliers, and sometimes even successful exits. Above all, we’ve seen how being part of a supportive community makes the journey of building a business more enjoyable while also driving greater success.
United Founders brings together leaders from all over the world. How do you balance global perspectives with Bali’s unique local identity?
Throughout our community, we emphasise the importance of respecting Bali’s culture while integrating global best practices. By partnering with local leaders and maintaining cultural sensitivity, we help create businesses that not only succeed globally but also contribute positively to Bali’s community and environment.
How do you see Bali’s entrepreneurial landscape evolving over the next five years?
Over the next five years, Bali’s entrepreneurial landscape—despite its challenges, which we as a community hope to help overcome—is poised for significant growth, particularly in sustainability, consumer products, and the hospitality industry. I anticipate a shift toward more purpose-driven businesses that honour local values while aligning with international standards. In doing so, Bali has the potential to become a global hub for innovation, especially in eco-tourism, regenerative practices, and sustainable development.
What’s next for you and United Founders?
We’re focused on expanding our community and impact in several ways. We plan to bring our members together to tackle some of the larger challenges Bali faces, taking an industry-by-industry approach and, hopefully, collaborating closely with the government to develop sustainable solutions. In addition, we’re creating a financing portal specifically for Bali businesses, helping them secure the resources they need to scale. Given the strong interest from other regions, we’ll also be opening new chapters in Jakarta—so if you’re a founder there, please reach out!
Throughout all of this, we’re committed to having fun, forging meaningful connections, and fostering a supportive environment for everyone involved. On a personal note, I focus on staying healthy, looking after my two children, and playing plenty of Padel along the way!
How can our readers get in touch?
You can connect with us through the United Founders website or follow us on social media for updates and initiatives. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to me directly via LinkedIn.