Turn Your Idea into a Product with AI
Use AI tools to build a working product, test it with real customers, and take the first steps of the startup journey — no coding required
-
Experienced professionals ready to turn domain expertise into a startup — without needing a technical co-founde -
Solo founders who have an idea but need a structured process and expert feedback to move forward with confidence -
AI-curious professionals who want to leverage AI to build a real business, not just tinker with tools -
Anyone who has been thinking about building an app with AI but does not know where to start
-
Define the right product to build and the assumptions you need to test -
Use AI tools to build a working app without writing a single line of code -
Avoid the most costly mistakes first-time founders make when building with AI -
Put your product in front of real customers and gather actionable feedback -
Connect with a community of fellow aspiring founders building alongside you
Mark Montalban
Mark Montalban is a Founder, startup builder, and self-taught AI expert and vibe coder. Currently he is the Co-Founder & CEO of MindfulText, and enterprise text-message delivery system that drives science-backed outcomes like decreased stress, improved teamwork, and better sleep. Previously he ran partnerships and portfolio for the Founder Institute global startup accelerator.
Bootcamp Structure
A 2-week online bootcamp with 4 live sessions, practical exercises, and multiple networking opportunities.
Live Expert Sessions
- Mentor Guidance: 4 online sessions over 2 weeks with expert startup mentors, to provide guidance and feedback on your idea and progress
- Step-by-Step Process: Intensive, step-by-step process to brainstorm and validate startup ideas - and keep you accountable!
Learning Platform
- AI Tools: AI tools, templates, and frameworks to help you move faster
- Structured Sprints: Experiential learning and structured, action-oriented sprints with embedded videos, templates, and resources
Mentorship & Community
- Mentor Feedback: Pitch your idea to 10+ different mentors and collect feedback, advice and multiple points of view
- Networking: Networking and pitch events to help you meet potential co-founders, advisors and collaborators
Upcoming Cohorts
Bootcamp Cost
Vibecode a Product Bootcamp Schedule
The 2-week online bootcamp consists of 4 live sessions with startup experts, practical exercises, and multiple networking opportunities.
Kickoff & Scoping Your First Product
Using AI to Build Your Product
Refining Your Product & Preparing to Launch
Launch, Learn & Validate with Real Customers
Bootcamp Alumni
Read what past bootcamp participants have to say
Powered by the Founder Institute
Founder Institute is the only series of accelerators that works with early stage founders on a global level, building meaningful companies that are catalysts for change. From idea to exit, we provide structure, accountability, and the largest network of advisors you need to succeed. Attend weekly live sessions, build deep connections with your cohort peers, and grow your startup.
5,000
Grads
25,000
FI Network
200+
Cities
500+
Funding Companies
100+
Female-Led companies
100+
Minority-Led companies
Bootcamps and Accelerators, together
FI Core Accelerators bring you through the whole journey of launching a fundable business, while FI Bootcamps are hyper-focused on specific parts of the journey
Frequently Asked Questions
Vibecode a Product Bootcamp FAQ
-
No, you don't need a fully formed idea. Many participants join with just a problem they've noticed in their industry or career. The first module guides you through a structured process to define the problem, identify a target customer, and scope a product worth building and testing. If you already have an idea, the process will help you sharpen it — and your idea may evolve as you build and talk to customers
-
Yes — that's exactly what this bootcamp is designed for. AI tools have made it possible for non-technical founders to build real, working products. You don't need coding skills or a technical co-founder. Our instructors will walk you through every step with live demos and hands-on guidance.
-
Replit (with PostSQL), n8n, and OpenAI (or your preferred LLM such as Perplexity, Claude, etc). Any costs associated with these tools are the responsibility of the bootcamp participants.
-
The bootcamp workload is approximately 20 hours spread across 2 weeks. You will spend 5-10 hours per sprint on self-paced work: scoping your product, building it with AI, and validating it with real customers. It's designed for people with full-time jobs who are ready to take the first step
-
Yes. Every session features an experienced instructor who provides live demos, guidance, and feedback. Between sessions, you can ask questions and get support from instructors during the AMA sessions that follow each bootcamp
-
Yes — that's the goal. By the end of the bootcamp, you will have a working product that you've put in front of real potential customers. You'll also have real feedback to help you decide whether to keep going, pivot, or try a different idea. Either way, you'll have the skills and process to keep building.
Bootcamp FAQs
-
All FI bootcamps consist of (1) live feedback and training sessions with experts, (2) a comprehensive catalogue of self-serve videos and training materials, (3) powerful AI tools to help you make progress, and (4) a structured, step-by-step series of "sprints" to guide you through your learning, all delivered via our proprietary "FounderGen" online learning platform.
-
The FI Core program is a comprehensive 14 week program, followed by a series of advanced accelerators, to help pre-seed founders build a fundable, enduring business for the full lifecycle of their company. Alternatively, FI bootcamps are short, intense, focused educational programs around specific topics relevant to entrepreneurs. Bootcamps are designed to be both standalone AND complimentary to the FI Core program.
-
Yes - all bootcamp participants receive the video recording shortly after each bootcamp session.
-
Enrolled Founders are able to enroll in one bootcamp for free and additional bootcamps with a 50% discount. These bootcamps are designed to provide even more value, feedback, and connections to the founders in our accelerator programs worldwide.
-
Yes - but only participants that complete all of the bootcamp sprints will receive certificates. Simply attending the live sessions is not enough. All FI programs are intensive and designed to push you to make real progress, so you'll only get a certificate if you actually do the work!
-
Yes! The programs are meant to be complimentary. However, if you are going through FI Core you will be expected to complete all the sprints and attend all the sessions just like everyone else in your cohort, whether or not you are going through a bootcamp. So if the live bootcamp session conflicts with the live FI Core session, you should definitely attend the live FI Core session instead and watch the bootcamp video afterwards.
-
The bootcamps are virtual and can be attended online.
-
No, there is no equity component to the bootcamps.
-
Once the entrance fee is paid, participants are automatically enrolled in the bootcamp, and the fee is non-refundable. This policy is designed to encourage founders to take the leap and begin their startup journey. By making this commitment, participants overcome procrastination and take a crucial step toward building their business and achieving success. If you pay for the Core Program and also participate in a bootcamp, your Core Program refund (if applicable) will be reduced by the cost of the bootcamp.
-
Yes! You will be able to log in to your account on the FounderGen platform at any time in the future to access your work and all the resources provided throughout the bootcamp. What's more - your learning dashboard will even grow over time with all the new resources and AI tools that FI continues to release.
-
Please email any questions to bootcamps@founderinstitute.com
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 9,000 entrepreneurs raise over 2BN 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.
