Build an Amazing Company in Italy

The Founder Institute provides a global support network and a proven methodology to get your startup to traction and funding

See other FI Chapters

Hybrid

Program Dates

Nov 27, 2026 Jan 30, 2027

Early Deadline

Aug 18, 2026

Early Entrance Fee

$699 $1199

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 Funding 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

Nov 20, 2026

06:00pm CET

Kickoff

Nov 27, 2026

06:00pm CET

Vision

Nov 28, 2026

06:00pm CET

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)

See more Grads

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.

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.

Alberto Martellini

Founder Institute Innovation Partner @ Vision to Life

Ariona Krasniqi

Local Leader – Mentor Network @ Founder Institute

Azra Gurbuz

Local Leader - Marketing & Community Lead @ FI

Giovanni Salvi

Data Scientist @ Serenis

We aim to make an impact!

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and dec

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innov

FI Italy Mentors

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

Marco De Biasi

Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director/Conselheiro Fiscal @ LGA/Italcam/Mobicity

Giancarlo Vergine

Founder & Managing Partner @ Over Ventures

Michele Mattei

Investor, Fintech expert, Manager @ Qwist

Alexandra Fattal

Venture Partner @ Loyal VC

Massimo Schiavi

FI Milan

Massimiliano Squillace

Founder @ Contents.com

See all Italy Mentors

FI Partners

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

Connect with us

Have any questions?

Visit our FAQ Page

Apply

or Apply with

Already Have an Account? Sign In

Apply to this Cohort

Applications are now open

Build your startup with AI agents doing the work

Join the FI Agentic Program: an AI-powered curriculum, world-class mentors, and free AI agents to turn your idea into a fundable company.

9,000+ companies launched since 2009

Turn your idea into the next unicorn

Our programs helped launch Udemy, Esusu, and thousands more, with a portfolio worth an estimated $20B. Yours could be next.

200+ cities and 95 countries

Join the world's largest agentic company builder

A global network of founders, mentors, and investors building enduring companies, with free AI agents to help you do the work.

Apply Now

The Founder Institute is the world’s largest agentic company builder, turning ideas into fundable startups, and startups into unicorns. Since 2009, the Founder Institute program has helped over 9,000 entrepreneurs build 9,000+ companies, including unicorns like Udemy and Esusu, raise over 2BN in funding, and grow a portfolio worth an estimated $20BN. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities and 95 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide. Learn more about the Founder Institute.

Build an Amazing Company in Italy

Program Dates

Early Deadline

Early Entrance Fee

The Core Experience

Critical Support Network

Structured Methodology

Challenging Process

Session Calendar

Featured Grad

Events

How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea

How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI

From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset

FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco

See more Events

Leadership

Alberto Martellini

Ariona Krasniqi

Azra Gurbuz

Giovanni Salvi

We aim to make an impact!

FI Italy Mentors

Marco De Biasi

Giancarlo Vergine

Michele Mattei

Alexandra Fattal

Massimo Schiavi

Massimiliano Squillace

FI Partners

Connect with us

Have any questions?

Apply

Build your startup with AI agents doing the work

Turn your idea into the next unicorn

Join the world's largest agentic company builder