Build Amazing Companies in Houston

The Founder Institute provides local & global support networks and a proven methodology to get your startup to early traction and funding

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In-Person

Program Dates

Feb 09, 2026 May 26, 2026

Early Deadline

Oct 5, 2025

Early Entrance Fee

$499 $799

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 experts 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, directors, and mentors.

Challenging Process

Less than 50% of Founders make it through the program because we challenge you every step of the way.

Graduates get fast-tracked to our Funding Lab program and global 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

Feb 02, 2026

06:00pm CST

Accelerator Kickoff

Feb 09, 2026

07:00pm CST

Vision & Mission

Feb 10, 2026

07:00pm CST

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.

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Leadership

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

James Phelan

Investment & Growth @ The Cannon

Mery Ramirez

Founding Partner @ DataNexum Consulting

Natasha Gorodetsky

Founder & CEO; Head of Product @ Product Pursuit

FI Houston Mentors

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

Sloan Foster

Principal @ Envisage Associates

Martín Martinez

Founding & Executive Director @ Founder Institute Texas

Heath Butler

Founder/Managing Partner @ Gestalt Growth Advisors

Jeff Scott

CoFounder/ CEO @ Workflow Logic AI

Dana Abramovitz

Founding Team @ SXSW

Roberto Moctezuma

Founder and CEO @ Fractal River

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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 7,800 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.