On May 6th, Fides hosted its Founding Members Dinner, an evening that brought together founders, investors, and operators around a shared vision for the future of the community. More than a dinner, the night served as a reflection on how Fides has grown, and where it is heading next. Conversations throughout the evening centered on entrepreneurship, faith, leadership, and the importance of building institutions grounded in both ambition and meaning.

A major part of the evening was dedicated to unveiling Fides’ upcoming initiatives and long-term roadmap. This September, during U.N. Week, Fides will welcome a diplomat and U.N. delegate for a conversation on faith and statecraft. In October, the community will host the founders of Shepherds, the Catholic apparel brand publicly worn by Harrison Butker, highlighting a new generation of entrepreneurs building businesses unapologetically rooted in faith.

The most anticipated announcement of the night was the launch of the first-ever Fides Retreat, taking place August 28–30 in Hyannis Port. The retreat is designed as an immersive experience focused on reflection, prayer, community, fitness, and intentional conversation, including Sunday Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church, a parish deeply connected to the Kennedy family legacy.

Guests also heard plans for Fides’ first winter pilgrimage next February in Verbier and the historic Grand Hospice du Saint-Bernard, combining skiing, spiritual retreat, and speaker dinners in the Swiss Alps.

Looking ahead, Fides is beginning to expand beyond New York. We will start hosting pop-up dinners in cities around the world. Wherever there is a Catholic founder community ready to be convened. We will also begin building a media arm: long-form conversations, a podcast, and short-form content with cultural reach. Not as imitation of what already exists, but as something distinct. Rooted in faith, seriousness, and ambition. There is room in the culture for an institution that takes both faith and ambition seriously. At present, no one is building it. So we are.

Fides has never been profitable, and I have never taken a salary from it. Every dollar raised through tickets has gone directly back into dinners, speakers, parish donations, and travel. This is not a conventional business. It is an institution in formation, one we are building to outlast us. As part of this next step, we are introducing a founding membership, strictly limited to twenty members.

The standing rate for this membership is $2,995. However, for our newsletter community and those present at this moment, the founding rate is $1,995. This founding rate will remain available until Sunday at 11:00 AM, after which it will increase to the standard price.

There are only 20 spots though. Once you join and if you leave you cannot come back in. It stays only at that number.

Founding members will receive access to:

-all monthly Fides dinners for the year,

-priority seating at the speaker table when available,

-full inclusion in the Hyannis Port retreat (lodging, meals, programming, and Sunday Mass included),

-access to the Verbier Ski and St Bernard pilgrimage

-entry to a members-only fall gathering.

Founding members will also be permanently recognized on a founding list.

Click here to be part of it. I invite you to read them carefully, reflect, and consider whether this is something you want to be part of.

Black Tie. Red Carpet. An Extraordinary Night — May 15 · New York City · Location — 393 Broadway

Black Tie. Red Carpet. An Extraordinary Night

Some evenings stay with you for what is said. Others, for what is felt.

On May 15th, Fides Entrepreneurship gathers a select group of +175 guests in New York City for an evening rooted in faith, leadership, and shared purpose.

A black tie aperitif reception, where conversations move beyond introductions, and into meaning.

Guests will arrive on the red carpet and step into a room shaped not only by ambition, but by a deeper conviction: that faith, lived fully, has the power to form extraordinary leaders.

This year’s honorees: Eduardo Verástegui, Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez (“Fray Tormenta”), and Jordi Vilasuso, embody that conviction in radically different, yet equally powerful ways.

The evening opens with Sam Goodwin, whose story of endurance and faith under pressure offers a perspective that resonates far beyond the moment.

Set in a venue known for hosting defining cultural and brand moments, the night brings together founders, creatives, and leaders seeking something more than success alone.

Attendance is intentionally limited to preserve the spirit of the gathering.

Black tie required.
May 15th · 8PM-1AM · 393 Broadway (New York City)

Request access. Click here to join us! We look forward to seeing you there.

Save The Date — Tech Week Panel and Startup Competition

June 2nd, 2025 · New York City

We’re excited to announce what’s coming next.

On Tuesday, June 2nd, as part of NYC Tech Week, we will host the inaugural Fides Startup Pitch Competition. The event will bring together Catholic founders, investors, and operators for an evening focused on discerning what it means to build high-impact companies in alignment with the Catholic faith.

The evening will feature a special talk and a judge panel composed of leading Catholic investors and operators, alongside live startup pitches from selected founders building venture-scale companies.

Special Feature: Karl Kilb

Stablecoins in the Catholic Church

Karl Kilb, Founder of Crescite Innovation Corporation, which recently minted its first stablecoin, will discuss the emerging role of stablecoins within the Catholic financial ecosystem and their potential implications for the long-term institutional and economic life of the Church.

Judge Panel: What It Means to Build a Catholic Startup

A working session exploring key questions around Catholic entrepreneurship: what qualifies as a Catholic company, what does not, and what investors are looking for in faith-aligned ventures.

Panelists include:

• Jesse Sullivan, Co-Founder & General Partner of Altar Ventures, a $20M Catholic early-stage VC fund supporting Catholic founders globally.

• Sean Fieler, President of Equinox Partners and Caholic philanthropist.

• Brian Schardt, Founder of Autopilot.

Startup Pitch Competition

Catholic founders will pitch live to the panel. Selected teams will advance through an initial round and a final round, with a winning team receiving an award (details on investment and prize to be announced).

Founders interested in participating may apply to pitch. Accepted founders will receive complimentary tickets.

Requirements:

• Practicing Catholic founder

• Alignment with Catholic Church teaching in product, model, and roadmap

• Venture-scale potential with billion-dollar ambition

To pitch sign up HERE!

Who Should Attend

• Catholic founders and entrepreneurs

• Investors and philanthropists interested in faith-aligned ventures

• Operators at the intersection of faith and business

• Students and young professionals discerning entrepreneurship

Click here to join us! We look forward to seeing you there.

We would like to thank our sponsors!

Tridentine Brewing began the way the best things do, as a family hobby, passed down through generations. Founded by Jeff Alcorn and his sons Trevor and Cameron, the brewery takes its name from the Traditional Latin Mass, and its motto says everything: Braciare ad majorem Dei gloriam Brewing beer for the grater glory of God. What started in a kitchen, rooted in a grandfather’s wartime faith and love of country, has grown into a commercial craft brewery carrying that same spirit in every can. Faith, family, and country brewed into every batch. You can find out more about their story here.

Catholic Founders is run by my good friend Silas Mähner, and he's on a mission to help Catholics start and grow their businesses so that, through entrepreneurship, we can convert the country in the next 20 years. What sets Catholic founders apart isn't just faith as a backdrop it's the virtues. Prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance aren't just spiritual ideals; they're practical tools that shape how we build companies, lead teams, and serve customers.

Catholic entrepreneurship is about building businesses that are not only profitable, but genuinely good rooted in a moral framework that the secular world increasingly lacks. They have a weekly podcast and newsletter that explore these topics with top entrepreneurs like Alessandro Di Santo and distill those into lessons for you and me to take away. I highly encourage you to follow their podcast and newsletter and check out their peer group called the Catholic Founders Guild. You can more information here about his mission.

Founded in 1888, The Catholic Herald transitioned from a weekly newspaper to a monthly magazine in 2014, bringing in-depth Catholic journalism to a modern audience. As a follower of Fides you get a special discounted ‘3 months for $3 subscription! Sign up here to get your special discounted subscription! Click here to know more about them!

Papal Zouave International - Exclusive Book Launch with Fides. We’re excited to share a very special release with you. Crusader Before Congress, the latest book on Congressman Charles Tracey’s years as a Papal Zouave, was created as an exclusive project for Fides. This isn’t just a book launch, it’s a collaboration. The author developed this work specifically for our community, making it a truly unique piece you won’t find anywhere else in the same way. Discover the story behind it and be part of something special!

Founded in 2005, Roots Run Deep is a Napa Valley winery dedicated to crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines in close collaboration with local growers. They generously supported us with their Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, both vibrant, balanced, and reflective of the region’s character. You can find more information here about their story!

Back in May 2025 Jacob Ciccarelli of Truthly shared at their talk at Old Saint Paticks their Catholic AI app designed to empower people with instant, reliable Catholic answers to any question or problem. Now backed by clergy, evangelists, and influencers around the world, Truthly has grown to over 100,000 downloads and is partnering with dioceses, seminaries, and ministries to provide priests and religious free access to this powerful tool for evangelization. You can find more information about them here!

Started by my good friend Antonio Motta who was one of our past speakers we invite you to experience the pleasure of Brazil! Bom Dia Bubbles is a crisp Brut sparkling wine from the heart of Southern Brazil, blending freshness, elegance, and a lively, easygoing character in every sip. Perfect for celebrating or simply enjoying the moment, it captures the joy and warmth of Brazilian culture. More information can be found here.

SacredSpark is a new Catholic dating and matchmaking experience designed for singles who want to pursue meaningful, Christ-centered relationships that is gaining extraordinary momentum! Co-founded by well-known Catholic speaker and author Emily Wilson herself, SacredSpark is blending technology & tradition to foster meaningful online connections for lasting offline relationships. It’s a space where you don’t have to compromise or downplay your Catholic values, but a place where you can find someone who shares in them, too!

If you are interested in becoming one of our sponsors please reach out to us at [email protected]