BNI

For a tradesperson, an accountant, or the owner of a small business, word of mouth remains one of the best sources of new clients. But you still have to know how to organize it. That was the idea Ivan Misner had in 1985 in California, when he created the first group of entrepreneurs committed to referring each other in a structured way.

The BNI principle has remained the same ever since: in each local group, known as a “chapter,” there is only one professional per industry. Members meet weekly—in person, online, or in a hybrid format—to present their businesses and exchange qualified leads. By the second quarter of 2026, they had shared more than 4 million referrals with one another.

Forty years after its founding, BNI has more than 355,000 member businesses in over 11,800 groups across 77 countries, including France. Its growth is largely based on a franchise model: regional directors establish and lead groups in their respective territories. The network also offers CorporateConnections, a community dedicated to business leaders whose companies generate at least $5 million in revenue.

Led by Mary Kennedy Thompson and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, BNI continues its international expansion, particularly in India, which became its largest market by membership in 2026. TA Associates acquired a stake in the company in 2026 to support this growth.

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