Founders Retreats
For founders who need to get away.
We're founders too.
We know what it's like to spend most of your life building something.
Making decisions. Solving problems. Answering messages. Thinking about what's next.
That's why we create small-group founders retreats built around movement, adventure, travel, good food and being around people who actually get it.
Not another conference. Not another mastermind. Just a few days somewhere different.
Discover The Founder's Escape
We know what it's like
We didn't create Maverick because we thought the world needed another retreat company.
We created it because we couldn't find the experiences we wanted ourselves.
Something active. Something social. Something that actually got you away from the laptop.
And something where the people mattered as much as the place.
We're founders.
We know what it's like to have the business running through your head when you're supposed to be switched off.
We know the feeling of saying:
"I'll take some proper time off when things calm down."
And then realising things never really calm down.
So we built something around it.
Get away. Move. Explore. Eat. Talk. Have a laugh.
Spend some time with people who understand what it's like to build something.
Then go home.
That's the idea.
So what is a founders retreat?
At its simplest, it's time away from the business with other people who run businesses.
A small group. A different place. A few days without the normal routine.
But we don't think a founders retreat needs to mean sitting around a hotel talking about business all day.
That's not what we're interested in.
Our retreats are active.
You walk. You hike. You swim. You explore. You eat well. You talk.
Sometimes the best conversation happens halfway through a walk.
Sometimes it's over dinner.
Sometimes nobody talks about business at all.
That's fine too.
The point isn't to fill every hour.
It's to give you some space.
Who are founders retreats for?
There's no perfect founder profile.
We've met solo founders, co-founders, agency owners, operators, CEOs, business owners and people who have already built and sold companies.
Different industries. Different ages. Different stories.
But there's usually something in common.
They're the person who carries the weight when nobody else does.
They've got something they're building. Something they're responsible for.
And they want to spend a few days somewhere they don't have to explain that.
Founders
You've been building for years and can't remember the last time you properly switched off.
CEOs and business owners
You're responsible for people, decisions and the business. Sometimes it's nice not to be the person everyone is asking for an answer.
Entrepreneurs and operators
You're running an agency, consultancy, e-commerce business, technology company or something completely different.
Co-founders
You want time together away from the normal office and a chance to think about things differently.
Or maybe you just want an adventure
You don't have to be burnt out.
You don't have to be looking for some profound life transformation.
Maybe you just want to go somewhere beautiful, move your body, eat well and meet some interesting people.
That's enough.
This isn't another business event
We've got nothing against conferences.
Or masterminds.
Or company offsites.
They're just not what we're building.
A mastermind is usually about structured business problem-solving.
A conference is about speakers and content.
A company offsite is about your own team.
We're interested in something a bit harder to define.
A group of founders somewhere outside their normal environment.
Moving. Exploring. Eating. Talking.
Having the odd serious conversation.
Having a lot of completely pointless ones too.
There might be a business idea shared over breakfast.
Someone might help you solve a problem you've been stuck on for six months.
Or you might spend two hours talking about absolutely nothing.
That's part of it.
We're not going to force networking.
We're not going to put you in a circle and ask you to "share your biggest challenge".
The people matter.
The rest tends to happen naturally.
Why movement?
Because sitting in a room isn't the only way to connect.
Walking side by side changes the conversation.
So does swimming.
So does hiking up a hill.
So does getting lost somewhere new.
You don't need to be an athlete.
You don't need to train for months beforehand.
You just need to be willing to move.
Movement gives the day some structure without making it feel like a conference timetable.
And being outside gives everyone a break from the screens.
That's a big part of what Maverick is about.
The people are the retreat
We've learned this from running retreats.
The destination gets people interested.
The people are what they remember.
That's why we keep our groups small.
We don't want 50 people in a hotel.
We want a group where everyone actually gets to know everyone.
People from different industries. Different countries. Different backgrounds.
But people who understand what it's like to build, run or lead something.
That's where the interesting conversations happen.
And that's why we say:
For founders. By founders. With founders.
Why Croatia?
Because it has a lot of what we look for.
Sea. Islands. Coastal paths. Swimming. Boats. Good food. Old towns. Nature.
And a pace of life that feels very different from a normal week at work.
We've spent a lot of time in Croatia and wanted somewhere that felt a little less obvious.
That's how we ended up on Rab Island.
Why Rab Island?
Rab has the right mix for what we're trying to create.
Pine forests. Coastal paths. Quiet coves. Clear water. Swimming. Boats. An old town.
And enough space to actually slow down.
It's not Dubrovnik. It's not Split. It's not Hvar.
That's part of the appeal.
We didn't want to take founders somewhere just because it looks good on Instagram.
We wanted somewhere we'd actually want to spend time ourselves.
We've written more about why we chose Rab here: Why we chose Rab Island
And if you want to see what the experience actually looks like: What our Rab Island founders retreat is like
Rab Island, Croatia
The Founder's Escape
The Founder's Escape is our founders retreat in Croatia.
It's built around the same things that make Maverick what it is:
Movement. Adventure. Good people. Good food. Time outside.
And enough space to actually switch off.
It's designed for founders, CEOs, business owners and senior leaders who want to get away from the normal routine and spend some time around people who understand it.
For founders. By founders. With founders.
We're currently developing the next edition for Spring 2027.
Rab Island, Croatia. Small group. Founder-led. Waitlist open.
The exact dates, pricing and final format are still being confirmed.
If you want to be the first to know when it's ready:
Join The Founder's Escape Waitlist
We built the retreat we wanted ourselves
Maverick Adventures was founded by brothers Alex and Nenad Popovic.
We've always been drawn to the same things:
Going somewhere. Moving. Doing something difficult. Meeting people. Eating well. Getting away from the screens.
And coming home with a story.
The Founder's Escape is simply that idea built specifically around founders.
We wanted a retreat we'd actually want to attend.
So we built one.
Meet Alex & Nenad
Come alone. Leave with people.
You don't need to know anyone before you arrive.
In fact, most people won't.
That's part of the point.
You're going to meet founders you wouldn't normally meet.
People from different industries. Different countries. Different backgrounds.
You'll probably talk about business.
You'll probably talk about travel.
You'll probably talk about life.
And you'll probably end up talking absolute rubbish over dinner at some point too.
Good.
That's what makes it a retreat rather than another business event.
Founders Retreats: The Straight Answers
What is a founders retreat?
A founders retreat is time away from the normal working environment with a small group of people who build, run or lead businesses. Maverick's retreats combine movement, adventure, travel, outdoor time and genuine connection.
Who are founders retreats for?
Founders, CEOs, business owners, entrepreneurs, co-founders, operators and senior leaders. The exact group depends on the retreat, but the common thread is that everyone is building or leading something.
Is a founders retreat a mastermind?
No. There can be useful business conversations, but the retreat isn't built around structured business problem-solving. Movement, adventure, travel and connection are just as important.
Can I come alone?
Yes. You don't need to know anyone before you arrive.
Do I need to be very fit?
No. The exact level of activity depends on the retreat. You should be comfortable being active, but this isn't about proving how fit you are.
Why Croatia?
Because the combination of coastline, islands, swimming, hiking, boats, food and nature makes it a great place to properly step away from normal life.
Why Rab Island?
Rab has the landscape and pace we're looking for: coastal paths, pine forests, coves, swimming, boats, an old town and plenty of space.
When is the next Founder's Escape?
The next edition is being developed for Spring 2027 on Rab Island, Croatia. Dates, pricing and final format will be confirmed once everything is locked in.
How do I join?
Join the Founder's Escape waitlist. No payment is required at this stage.
Maybe you don't need another week off. Maybe you need something different.
Get away. Move. Meet people. See somewhere new.
Have a few days where the business isn't the centre of everything.
Then go home.
That's Maverick.
Discover The Founder's Escape | Join The Waitlist