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Schedule

Lagos 2026

At the Founder Institute, you won't "learn" how to build a business. Rather, you will build your business alongside top startup experts using a proven, structured process that has helped some of the world's fastest growing companies raise over 2BN. 

Our core program includes a series of challenging growth sprints, in addition to Weekly Feedback Sessions where you will receive constant feedback on your progress from experienced Mentors and Investors. 

See the schedule for the Lagos 2026 program below.

The Final Application Deadline for the Lagos 2026 program is Oct 21, 2026, and you can apply to the program at FI.co/join.

Kickoff

Meet the Cohort

Date: Nov 03, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll get familiar with the program, set up your AI toolkit, prove your AI proficiency, and prepare to introduce yourself to the cohort.

Vision

Define a strong business vision

Date: Nov 06, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll explore the biggest possible idea to pursue, validate real customer problems, define your personal purpose, and draft your first pitches.

Validation

Analyze your customer feedback

Date: Nov 13, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll select one business to focus on, validate it deeply through customer development, and build an initial mockup of your product.

Model

Validate a scalable revenue model

Date: Nov 20, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll test pricing with real customers, build a revenue model that can scale, and map out the human and agent roles needed to run your business.

Development

Learn how to build a great pitch

Date: Nov 27, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll turn your mockup into a working prototype that customers can use, co-develop with a lead customer, and prepare for your first major review.

Idea Review

Test the core business on a mentor panel

Date: Dec 04, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This is your first major milestone. You'll present your business and product to a panel of mentors who will rate you on idea viability, presentation skill, and research thoroughness.

Formation

Review your legal infrastructure

Date: Dec 18, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll incorporate your company, set up the legal foundation, protect your intellectual property, and start building your advisory board.

Launch

Improve your strategy to launch or scale

Date: Dec 25, 2026
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll launch your go-to-market engine, get your product into the hands of paying customers, and set your victory conditions for the rest of the program.

Traction

Get feedback on your product roadmap

Date: Jan 01, 2027
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

This week, you'll push for 10% weekly growth, track both your business and AI performance metrics, and discuss growth strategies.

Fundraising

Test your progress on a mentor panel

Date: Jan 08, 2027
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

Similar to the Mentor Idea Review, the Investor Progress Review is the second major test in the program. In this session, Founders will focus on give a long presentation their progress and traction to a panel of Investors and Advisors for a detailed review. Founders will be evaluated based on their progress in the program, the company's scalability, and more.

Demo Day

Improve your team and hiring

Date: Jan 22, 2027
Starts at: 08:30 am (America/Los_Angeles)

In this Feedback Session, Founders will receive feedback from Mentors on their team plans and product progress. In addition, Mentors will discuss how to identify the roles needed to build a world-class company, how to develop a strategy to recruit, onboard and retain the best people, and more.