Build a Fundable, Global Startup in Africa

The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses.

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Virtual First

Program Dates

May 06, 2025 Aug 05, 2025

Early Deadline

Feb 2, 2025

Early Entrance Fee

$299 $399

The Core Experience

You don't have to do it alone. Alongside other like-minded entrepreneurs, you will build your business in a structured, proven process.

Critical Support Network

Join an Equity Collective of helpful startup mentors and founders that are invested in your success.

Get access to a lifetime of support programs and partners that far exceeds any comparable program.

Structured Methodology

Know what to work on, and when, with our proven business-building sprints and structured process.

Build a company with impact by leveraging the world's largest network of startup founders and mentors.

Challenging Process

Less than 40% of Founders make it through the program because we challenge you every step of the way.

Get fast-tracked to our Founders Lab program and Virtual Demo Days, giving you the best chance to get funding.

Learn more about FI core

Session Calendar

Below are the dates for the upcoming program

Onboarding

Apr 29, 2025

06:00pm SAST

Accelerator Kickoff

May 06, 2025

06:00pm SAST

Vision & Mission

May 07, 2025

06:00pm SAST

View Full curriculum

Featured Grad

From our Silicon Valley chapter, Udemy is the global leader in online learning, with nearly 200,000 courses. The company went public on the NASDAQ in October 2021, raising $421 million.

The real question is: can the Founder Institute be game-changing for your business? The answer is yes. Without FI, Udemy may have never raised any money.

Gagan Biyani

Udemy (IPO, 2021)

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Join an Online Information Session

Sign up for an upcoming info session to learn more and chat with our team. There are several sessions per week across most time zones.

Events

Join us for an upcoming event - local or global - to meet other founders and experts. Learn what you need to know now to scale your startup.

Launching and Scaling Startups in Africa: Insights from FI Founders

Feb 05, 2025

06:00pm SAST

Founder Institute Online Information Session

Various Dates

Various Times

Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute)

Dec 30, 2024

08:00pm SAST

Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute)

Jan 03, 2025

03:00am SAST

See more Events

Leadership

Our leadership team are proven startup experts who know how to walk you through the challenges of your early-stage startup.

Deepti Jeram

Co-Founder @ Boardroom In A Box

Keshni Morar

Managing Director @ Founder Institute South Africa + Investable

Lily Makaleng

Director @ The Founder Institute South Africa

FI South Africa Mentors

Build a business efficiently through video meetings, office hours, and material reviews from a roster of top startup mentors.

Annu Augustine

Founder @ NedRock

Akua Nyame Mensah

Certified Executive & Leadership Coach @ A.N.M & Company

Sameer Babbar

Director @ SVB Group

Mark Fritz

Managing Director @ Procedor

Zolani Matebese

Chairman @ Sendoff.app

Gatis Vilcans

Director of Technology @ Atom CTO

See all South Africa Mentors

FI Partners

Get special deals and support worth over $3 million from top support organizations and partners.

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The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,500 entrepreneurs raise over $1.85BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.