Build a Fundable, Global Startup in greenCHEM
The Founder Institute is the world's most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses.
HybridProgram Dates
Early Deadline
Mar 1, 2026
Take Your Startup to the Next LevelWe help aspiring entrepreneurs:
With a lot of things.
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Lifetime Support from Seasoned Silicon Valley Leaders
- FI’s Portfolio Success team is comprised of successful entrepreneurs and investors who are there to support your company throughout its entire lifecycle.
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Access a Global Network
- Search and connect with the Founder Institute Global Network to scale your team, develop new business opportunities, and recruit an amazing advisory board.
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Participate in Advanced Accelerator Programs
- FI Alumni receive free, lifetime access to our advanced post-graduate programs such as Funding Lab and Leadership Lab, where you work closely with our HQ team to unlock the next phase of your business.
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Gain Global Exposure
- Be featured at large startup events, like the Founder Showcase, Investor Roundtable, or FounderX to get global reach to amplify your business and generate a following.
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Meet the Right Investors
- Graduates of Funding Lab will be matched with investors through the FI Venture Network - a collection of investors focused on first and second rounds of funding. FI Alumni have raised over $1.85BN+ to date.
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Receive Personalized Help from our HQ Team
- Our Silicon Valley-based Portfolio Success Team will answer questions, review term sheets, and help you through any specific business challenges as you grow the company.
Who Should Apply?
The program is open to a variety of different entrepreneurs.
- An international startup looking to enter the US market
- A US-Based startup considering to expand into the East Coast
- At the seed stage (post- MVP)
- Willing to relocate to Washington, D.C. for the duration of the program
Apply Now
Submit an application for the upcoming program
Program Mentors
Meet the mentors that will help you build your startup in the program.
Session Calendar
Below are the dates for the upcoming program
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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 BiyaniUdemy (IPO, 2021) -
Oddbox wouldn't exist without the Founder Institute. FI gave me the structure I needed to take Oddbox from idea to MVP but also pushed, challenged and guided me through the steps, insecurities and excitement of building an impact-led business.
Emilie VanpoperingheOddbox (£20M in funding) -
The Founder Institute was instrumental in helping us understand how to validate our idea in the market, and helped us develop the entrepreneurial mindset required to build a startup.
Renato PaquetPolen (top 10 in Open Startups Ranking)
FI Partners
Quickly increase connections to other ecosystem organizations, investors, and industry experts.
Powered by the Founder Institute
Based in Silicon Valley, the Founder Institute is the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, FI's accelerators have helped launch thousands of fast-growing, funded technology companies across nearly every geography, industry, and sector.
8,900+
Portfolio Companies
2BN+
Portfolio Company Funding
200+
Chapter Cities
100+
Chapter Countries
6
Continents
40,000+
Global Mentors & Advisors
Delivered via World Class Tools
Participants get access to the Founder Institute's 'FounderGen Platform' - the world's leading LMS for startup creation.
- Experiential learning and structured, action-oriented sprints
- Embedded videos, templates, and resources to help with every step of the business-building process
- State of the art AI tools to help students augment their capabilities and speed up progress
Frequently Asked Questions
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It all starts with our Core FI Program. Apply to the greenCHEM program here, or check FI.co/enrolling for other options.
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There is no cost to the program!
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There is no equity component to this program!
Apply Now
Complete your Application Today
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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 8,900 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.
