Jainism is beginningless and endless (anādi-ananta) according to Jain scriptures. It is not “founded” at a point in time; instead, the Tirthankaras periodically rediscover and teach this eternal path.

If you want historical reference points from the current era:

• Shvetambar tradition: Bhagwan Mahavira lived 599–527 BCE. That means Jain teaching is continuously attested for about 2,552 years up to 2025 CE.
• Digambar tradition: Bhagwan Mahavira lived 540–468 BCE, giving about 2,493 years up to 2025 CE.

Earlier in this era, Bhagwan Parshvanath taught about 250 years before Mahavira. Thus, while Jainism is eternal in doctrine, recorded history shows at least ~2,500 years of continuous Jain tradition.