According to Jainism, no one “founded” Jainism.

• Jain Dharma is considered anādi (beginningless) and anant (eternal) – it has always existed.
• From time to time, great spiritual teachers called Tirthankaras rediscover and teach this eternal path again when it is forgotten.

In the present time-cycle:

• First Tirthankar: Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Ādinath) – he is often called the first Tirthankar of the current era, not the founder of the religion.
• 24th (last) Tirthankar: Bhagwan Mahavira – he reorganised and strongly propagated Jain Dharma in the 6th century BCE, but again, he is not called the founder; he is a revealer / teacher of the eternal dharma.

So, in Jain belief: > Jainism has no human founder. It is an eternal religion periodically rediscovered and taught by the Tirthankaras.