Lead with presence.
Move with purpose.
Coaching for founders and CEOs navigating change, growth, and what comes next.
You’re likely here because something in your founder journey is shifting.
Maybe you’re at a crossroads, making a big decision, or realising it’s time to lead from somewhere deeper.
This coaching is grounded in everything I’ve lived over the last 25 years — from building and exiting ventures, to supporting 10,000+ founders at Hatch, to angel investing through Korra Ventures. It also draws from decades of martial arts and inner work that have taught me how to move with change, not just through it.
This isn’t performance coaching. It’s not about doing more — it’s about getting closer to what matters. Whether we work together once or over time, I’m here to hold space for your next chapter — with clarity, presence, and care.
Let’s begin.
— Dirk
The Inner Transitions Founders Face
The founder journey is hard — but what no one tells you is how personal it becomes.
It’s not just about funding or strategy. It’s about identity, purpose, legacy. It’s everything you’ve buried rising to the surface. And in a world of constant change, the question becomes: can you meet it with banpen fugyō — ten thousand changes, no surprises?
I’m Dirk Bischof. I coach founders through real, human transitions — the ones hidden behind polished LinkedIn posts and pitch decks. Behind the scenes, burnout, doubt, and quiet disconnection take hold. I’ve seen it, lived it, and helped others move through it.
After 25 years building, scaling, and exiting businesses, I’ve learned that behind every shift in your company is a deeper shift in you — and it often starts with questions like:
Who am I becoming?
What am I leaving behind?
Can I still trust myself?
What happens if I slow down? Or stop?
Here are the four major transitions I support founders through:
From Corporate to Entrepreneur
You’ve left the structure behind — no more managers or performance reviews. It’s just you, your vision, and the unknown. It’s freeing — and terrifying. Together, we build the inner compass to lead from who you truly are.
Pivoting an Existing Business
What you built no longer fits. The market may have shifted — or maybe you have. Pivoting isn’t just strategic — it’s emotional. We honour what’s ending and create space for what’s next to emerge
Scaling to the Next Level
Scaling changes everything: your role, your identity, your rhythm. It’s easy to lose yourself — or burn out. This work helps you grow with clarity, trust, and integrity, without micromanaging or losing your centre.
Exiting or Stepping Back
Letting go can feel like losing part of yourself. Even successful exits leave hard questions: Who am I without this? We’ll navigate what’s ending, make peace with what you’ve built, and shape a meaningful next chapter.
You don’t need another business coach.
You need a guide for the inner work.
Most “founder coaching” focuses on performance. KPIs. Goals. Outcomes.
That’s not what I do.
The work we do together is about what drives you beneath the surface. It’s about facing the patterns you keep repeating, the fears that quietly shape your decisions, and the untapped wisdom waiting to be heard.
I’ve spent over two decades building, scaling, leading, and transitioning as a founder. I’ve faced burnout, heartache, disgruntled teams, whilst at the same time celebrating 10x-ing a business. I’ve celebrated big wins and grappled with even bigger questions at the same time. And I’ve learned that no growth is sustainable unless it’s rooted in self-awareness and inner alignment.
In our work together, we:
Create space for deep reflection and honest dialogue.
Look at the beliefs and habits that shape your business decisions.
Work with tools like dream analysis and somatic practices to access deeper insights.
Honour the emotional landscape of being a founder — something often ignored.
This coaching isn’t for the faint-hearted.
It’s for those ready to listen inward and lead from wholeness. If you’re:
Curious about what’s next, even if it scares you.
Sick of the same patterns showing up again and again.
Hungry for meaning beyond metrics.
Willing to do the inner work.
Let’s go there — together.
Choose your starting point
Explore Coaching Offers
121 Consultation
Free
15 minute 121 conversation
to explore working together
Clarity Session
£295/session
Sometimes you need clarity yesterday. If you’re a founder in a high-stakes situation or “triage mode,” a one-off Clarity Session can offer immediate relief and direction.
Transition Package
£950 (Offer) | usually £1,500
Most deep transitions take time! This isn’t coaching by the hour. It’s a carefully held arc. 5 sessions. Flexible in structure, but grounded in process.
Sustaining Impact
£195/month
Sustaining Impact is for founders who’ve completed the 5-session journey and want to continue working together.
Testimonials
Joana Moscoso
Native Scientists
Transition Moment:
Startup Founder —> Scaling
“I have received coaching from Dirk over the 18-months, meeting monthly to discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in scaling my organisation 5x. Throughout this time, Dirk has provided invaluable insights that have helped me navigate the complex process of growth with greater clarity and confidence. His ability to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and offer wise, experience-based advice has made a significant impact—not only on our growth but also on my mindset as a leader. Dirk brings both energy and reassurance to our conversations, helping me shift perspective and develop the tools needed to lead a scaling organisation effectively. I am incredibly grateful for his support and highly recommend him for anyone leading through growth and change.”
Caroline Gormley
Gormley Consulting
Transition moment:
Corporate —> Founder
“Working with Dirk over the past five years has been transformative during my career transition from NHS Charity Fundraising to launching Gormley Consulting. His guidance was pivotal in building my confidence to take a big leap without having it all figured out. Having someone who’s been there and gets it, gave me the perspective and clarity I needed — and Dirk was brilliant at that. What sets him apart is his rare talent for anchoring you to your purpose while constructively challenging your assumptions. He truly understands both the emotional and strategic challenges that come with founding and scaling. The grounded, warm, and insightful support I received made my journey not just manageable but energising. Dirk’s transition coaching will be invaluable to anyone navigating the next evolution of their business with clarity and confidence.”
Andre Marmot
Earth Agency
Transition moment:
Startup Founder —> Scaling
“Over the past years, Dirk has been a consistent, transformational coach and a true strategic partner in my journey as a founder. He helped me build a fundraising strategy from the ground up, guided the development of our impact measurement framework, and supported me in strengthening key relationships with local stakeholders. Whenever I needed to raise funds, build proper reporting, or navigate tricky dynamics with partners, Dirk was there—calm, grounded, and sharp. His coaching combines clarity, creativity, and emotional intelligence, giving me not just the tools to grow my business but the confidence to lead with greater focus, courage, and purpose. We used to call him ‘Dirk-can’—because whenever I hit a wall, he’d show me how to turn it into a door. Dirk doesn’t just advise from the sidelines—he stretches your thinking, challenges your assumptions, and walks alongside you to make things happen. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance and unwavering support.”
Bayile Adeoti
Dechomai/ BobbAI
Transition Moment:
Startup Founder —> Scaling
“Dirk has been a transformational coach on my journey as a founder. Over the past year, his guidance has been instrumental—especially in navigating complex, high-stakes partnership negotiations. With Dirk’s support, I’ve sharpened my instincts, gained strategic clarity, and built the confidence to advocate for the real value of my work. His insights into scaling have helped me approach growth with structure and intention—not just ambition. He’s also helped me stay grounded and resilient through uncertainty, offering calm presence and honest, thoughtful reflection when I’ve needed it most. Dirk doesn’t just guide—he champions. He’s put my name forward in rooms I hadn’t yet entered, unlocking opportunities that have elevated both my confidence and my company’s visibility.”
Anne Doering
Lifelong friend
Transition moment: Life
“Dirk has been in my life for over four decades, and I’ve watched him evolve with more intentionality than almost anyone I know. His growth hasn’t been for show—it’s been for real. He’s done the hard, quiet work of becoming a better man: not just for himself, but for the people around him. And that’s the core of his coaching—this deep, often uncomfortable commitment to inner work, the kind most founders avoid until crisis forces their hand. In a world where leadership often prizes certainty and speed, Dirk invites something more powerful: presence. He’s helped people move through transitions not by offering easy answers, but by asking the right questions—the kind that stay with you. His coaching holds space for the full spectrum of a founder’s experience: the ambition and doubt, the purpose and pain, the mess and the meaning. If you’re at a turning point in your journey, Dirk won’t just help you find your next move. He’ll help you meet yourself along the way.”
Mélanie Hewawasan
Mel’s Talk/ Bloomberg
Transition moment:
Startup —> Corporate
“Being mentored by Dirk through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme was an incredibly valuable experience. While I initially joined to support Hatch’s social media content, the real transformation came through Dirk’s mentorship. He has a rare ability to analyse situations from multiple perspectives and constantly challenged me to think beyond the obvious. His wide-ranging experience, openness, and strategic mindset not only shaped my professional growth but also left a deep personal impact. Dirk’s insight stayed with me long after the programme ended.”