No, you don't need a startup idea to join the bootcamp. The sessions and deliverables will guide you through the startup ideation process to help you identify a problem that you are best positioned to solve for a customer. And if you join the bootcamp with an idea, you will benefit from the deliverables to validate it or pivot into a new one. Your startup idea will transform multiple times.

There are 4 online sessions over 2 weeks. All sessions will be recorded and available to re-watch. You can skip a session and watch the recording but we recommend joining all sessions live to get the most out of the bootcamp - ask questions, get feedback from mentors and network with the other founders in the cohort. The rest is self-paced work on the deliverables of the bootcamp.

The bootcamp deliverables are self-serve and you have to keep yourself accountable to complete them on time so that you have higher chances to validate your idea and successfully complete the program. Completing the work in the first 2 sessions will grant you access to the Startup Idea Feedback sessions with startup mentors. You can ask these mentors for specific feedback on your startup.

Yes, every session you will meet different mentors who will be joining the bootcamp. These mentors will give presentations and are there to answer your questions, provide feedback, and guide you. The culmination of the bootcamp is two Startup Idea Feedback Sessions where each participant will pitch their idea to 10+ different mentors and collect feedback, advice and multiple points of view.

Anna joined with just a raw idea and zero startup experience. The bootcamp helped her overcome fear and build ThankU into a pitch-worthy concept. Hear Anna's story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbLrbq9ST9Q

You have to complete a brief application and pay the entrance fee. In the application, you will answer a few questions about your background and a startup idea you'd like to explore. You can change your startup idea during the bootcamp.

All FI bootcamps consist of (1) live feedback and training sessions with experts, (2) a comprehensive catalogue of self-serve videos and training materials, (3) powerful AI tools to help you make progress, and (4) a structured, step-by-step series of "sprints" to guide you through your learning, all delivered via our proprietary "FounderGen" online learning platform.

The FI Core program is a comprehensive 14 week program, followed by a series of advanced accelerators, to help pre-seed founders build a fundable, enduring business for the full lifecycle of their company. Alternatively, FI bootcamps are short, intense, focused educational programs around specific topics relevant to entrepreneurs. Bootcamps are designed to be both standalone AND complimentary to the FI Core program.

Yes - all bootcamp participants receive the video recording shortly after each bootcamp session.

Enrolled Founders are able to enroll in one bootcamp for free and additional bootcamps with a 50% discount. These bootcamps are designed to provide even more value, feedback, and connections to the founders in our accelerator programs worldwide.

Yes - but only participants that complete all of the bootcamp sprints will receive certificates. Simply attending the live sessions is not enough. All FI programs are intensive and designed to push you to make real progress, so you'll only get a certificate if you actually do the work!

Yes! The programs are meant to be complimentary. However, if you are going through FI Core you will be expected to complete all the sprints and attend all the sessions just like everyone else in your cohort, whether or not you are going through a bootcamp. So if the live bootcamp session conflicts with the live FI Core session, you should definitely attend the live FI Core session instead and watch the bootcamp video afterwards.

The bootcamps are virtual and can be attended online.

No, there is no equity component to the bootcamps.

Once the entrance fee is paid, participants are automatically enrolled in the bootcamp, and the fee is non-refundable. This policy is designed to encourage founders to take the leap and begin their startup journey. By making this commitment, participants overcome procrastination and take a crucial step toward building their business and achieving success. If you pay for the Core Program and also participate in a bootcamp, your Core Program refund (if applicable) will be reduced by the cost of the bootcamp.

Yes! You will be able to log in to your account on the FounderGen platform at any time in the future to access your work and all the resources provided throughout the bootcamp. What's more - your learning dashboard will even grow over time with all the new resources and AI tools that FI continues to release.

Please email any questions to bootcamps(at)founderinstitute.com