diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index 1595cc5..4295feb 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -79,6 +79,16 @@ MEMBERS_GROUP_ID = os.environ.get("MEMBERS_GROUP_ID", "")
 # being deleted) so they lose access but can reclaim their data on reactivation.
 INACTIVE_GROUP_ID = os.environ.get("INACTIVE_GROUP_ID", "")
 
+# Manually-provisioned members (comma-separated emails) who are NOT in the
+# Open Collective member list. Used for the free "founder" tier, which OC
+# cannot process as a $0 recurring subscription. These members are exempt from
+# the sweep's deactivation (they have no OC membership to lapse).
+MANUAL_MEMBERS = {
+    e.strip().lower()
+    for e in os.environ.get("MANUAL_MEMBERS", "").split(",")
+    if e.strip()
+}
+
 # Loomio integration (forum.inference.coop). The portal reconciles the Loomio
 # group to the current active-member list via the User API (/api/b2).
 LOOMIO_BASE = os.environ.get("LOOMIO_BASE", "https://forum.inference.coop")
@@ -793,9 +803,10 @@ async def reconcile_memberships() -> dict:
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warning("Sweep: failed to provision %s: %s", email, e)
 
-    # 2. Deactivate lapsed members.
+    # 2. Deactivate lapsed members (but never manual/founder members, who have
+    # no OC membership to lapse).
     for email, user_id in provisioned.items():
-        if email not in active_emails:
+        if email not in active_emails and email not in MANUAL_MEMBERS:
             try:
                 if INACTIVE_GROUP_ID and user_id:
                     await cloudron_set_group(user_id, INACTIVE_GROUP_ID)