Build an Amazing Company in Chicago

The Founder Institute provides a global support network and a proven methodology to get your startup to traction and funding

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Virtual First

Program Dates

Mar 17, 2025 Jun 17, 2025

Early Deadline

Feb 2, 2025

Early Entrance Fee

$599 $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 mentors 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 and mentors.

Challenging Process

Less than 40% of Founders make it through the program because we challenge you every step of the way.

Get fast-tracked to our Funding Lab program and 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

Mar 10, 2025

06:00pm CDT

Accelerator Kickoff

Mar 17, 2025

06:00pm CDT

Vision & Mission

Mar 18, 2025

06:00pm CDT

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.

Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago

Jan 15, 2025

06:00pm CST

Founder Institute Online Information Session

Various Dates

Various Times

Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute)

Dec 30, 2024

12:00pm CST

Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute)

Jan 02, 2025

07:00pm CST

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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.

Jason Jacobsohn

Managing Partner @ Propellant Ventures

FI Chicago Mentors

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

Neil Kane

Founder & President @ Illinois Partners, LLC

Peter Tapling

Managing Director @ PTap Advisory, LLC

Michael Carney

President @ MWC Accounting

Matthew Miller

Director, Product Strategy & UX @ Digital Intent

Kord Kutchins

Principal @ Base-K Venture Partners

Mark Phinick

Founder @ Let's Make It Rain

See all Chicago Mentors

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 7,500 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.