founder

/ˈfaʊndər/
noun
  1. A person who establishes or starts something, such as an organization, institution, or company.
    • She is the founder and CEO of a successful tech startup.
    • The university's founder believed that education should be accessible to everyone.
    • The founder of the charity started it with just a small group of volunteers.
verb
  1. (of a ship or boat) to fill with water and sink.
    • The old fishing boat foundered in the storm and was lost at sea.
    • After hitting a hidden rock, the vessel began to founder rapidly.
    • The crew barely escaped before the ship foundered in the icy waters.
  2. To fail or collapse, especially because of a particular problem or difficulty.
    • The project foundered after the main investor pulled out.
    • His business foundered due to poor financial planning.
    • The peace talks foundered when neither side would compromise.