The English Oracle

What's a title for a founder no longer with a company?

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Chapters
00:00 What'S A Title For A Founder No Longer With A Company?
00:28 Accepted Answer Score 7
00:52 Answer 2 Score 6
01:14 Answer 3 Score 3
01:56 Thank you

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Full question
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Tags
#singlewordrequests #grammaticality

#avk47



ANSWER 1

Score 11


From what I have seen, this is either handled with "Founder (no longer with the company)", or something like "Founder and former CEO of ...". I do not recall seeing any single-word alternatives to these.

Nice question :)




ACCEPTED ANSWER

Score 8


I would suggest founder emeritus.

The Compact Oxford English Dictionary defines emeritus as an adjective meaning:

(of the former holder of an office, especially a university professor) having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honour




ANSWER 3

Score 8


The title for a founder who ceases to work at the company is:

Founder

Founding the company is a specific, immutable act that cannot be "undone" after the person leaves the company.

The "past relationship" should be indicated in some other way, such as "Founder and former CEO" or "Co-Founder, who left the company in 1977".

"Founder Emeritus" as suggested in the other answer is ok for a condensed title, although in my opinion it suggests that an official title of "founder emeritus" was awarded to the founder by the company. I do not think that term would be appropriate for use without such an official grant by the company. That's also a title, unlike "founder", that could be revoked.