Rethink what's possible

with the Washington DC Founder Institute.

Build Something Learn more

200+

Estimated Portfolio Value

Who we help

As the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator, the Founder Institute helps founders across several early-stages:

Idea Stage

Finally turn your ideas into a real business using a proven step-by-step process, with constant feedback from experts for years to come.

MVP Stage

Pivot or persevere quickly using a structured analytical approach, with personalized guidance and advice from seasoned entrepreneurs.

Early Company Stage

Immediately capitalize on this rapidly changing landscape by working with local, global, and Silicon Valley startup experts.

See our Admissions Process

How we help

Since 2009, our proven methodology has helped over 5,000 companies across 6 continents build businesses that matter.

Critical Support Network

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

Structured Methodology

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

Challenging Process

Less than 35% of Founders make it through the program because we challenge you every step of the way.

Lifetime of Support

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

Global Network

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

See our Methodology

Featured Alumni

Many of the world’s fastest-growing startups have used FI to raise funding, building a co-founding team, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, and more.

Top mobile content distribution platform in Southeast Asia. Series C funding. Hanoi FI Alum.

The world's largest destination for online courses. 40M+ students, $200M+ funding. Silicon Valley FI Alum.

Europe's fastest growing service to rent your car. $22M+ funding, acquired 2018. Paris FI Alum.

B2B platform that matches investors with African SMEs. $1M+ Funding. Johannesburg FI Alum.

Software for hotel managers to fill rooms with maximum efficiency. $5M+ funding. Madrid FI Alum.

Interactive at-home boxing and fitness equipment. $90M+ funding, used by Olympic boxers. Montreal FI Alum.

The leading online real estate capital marketplace. $85M+ already returned to investor customers. $45M+ funding. Los Angeles FI Alum.

Planetary surface robots for space missions. Part of NASA's commercial lunar payload program. Silicon Valley FI Alum.

Inventory management to help restaurants prevent food waste. Winner of 2021 Greetech Challenge. Oslo FI Alum.

App-connected fertility thermometers. $8M+ funding, acquired 2018. New York City FI Alum.

Online platform for receivables discounting with a cryptocurrency. $41M+ in Funding. Manila FI Alum.

Formerly iCarsClub, StartCar is the leading peer-to-peer car rental service in China. $70M+ funding. Singapore FI Alum.

See our Alumni

Ready to build the future with the
Washington DC Founder Institute?

Join the Program Attend an Online Event

Our Global Network

We live in a global society, so the Founder Institute operates across 200+ cities and 6 continents.

See our Network

Featured Mentors

Our Mentors include top Washington DC and global entrepreneurs, and they are invested in your success through our 'Equity Collective'.

Justin Etheredge

Partner, Simple Thread

Henry Hunter

ceo, Incidr

Cynthia Gilmer

FI Mentor

Sandy Vasan

Founder , outcomes.work

See our Mentors

Our Partners

See our Partners

Build the future with the
Washington DC Founder Institute

Join the Program Attend an Online Event