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Build a Fundable, Global Startup in Columbus

The Founder Institute is the world's most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses.

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Hybrid
Program Dates
Oct 27, 2026 Feb 03, 2027
Early Deadline
Sep 15, 2026
Early Entrance Fee
$999 $1299
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The Agentic Experience

You don't have to do it alone. Alongside other like-minded entrepreneurs, you will build your business in a structured, proven process.

Proven Process to Build Quickly & Cheaply

In development since 2009
Updated frequently based on global feedback

Highly Structured and Sequential

Clear growth sprints with weekly deliverables
Engineered to reduce complexity and help you focus

Constant Feedback from Mentors

10 Weekly Feedback Sessions and Office Hours on your pitch, progress, and data to help you make the right decisions
Office hours provide individual, personalized time with industry experts

Session Calendar

Below are the dates for the upcoming program

Onboarding
Nov 10, 2026
06:00pm CST
Kickoff
Nov 17, 2026
06:00pm CST
Vision
Nov 18, 2026
06:00pm CST
View Full curriculum

Featured Grad

FI Grad Company

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.

FI Grad

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)

Ecosystem Highlights

We're your local chapter! We live here and we want to grow along with you. Leverage our deep connections in the Columbus startup ecosystem to propel your business forward.

Connect with Top Partners and Investors
Network with local Founders
Raise your startup's status in the ecosystem

Mentors

Our Mentors bring real-life experience and expertise so you can make timely decisions quickly.

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David Hurst

CEO @ Orbital Transports
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Alex Gorsuch

Co-founder, CTO @ Ascent Integrated Tech
Jacqueline Image

Jacqueline Kuehl

Managing Director, Digital Marketing Concentration @ DePaul University
Gavenraj Image

Gavenraj Sodhi

Senior Product Manager @ Hitach Vantara
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Vladimir Pletyukhin

Founder and Creative Director @ Launch Deck
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Abdellah Aouf

Chief Executive Officer @ GO PLATFORM

FI Partners

Quickly increase connections to other ecosystem organizations, investors, and industry experts.

Connect with us

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Build your startup with AI agents doing the work

Join the FI Agentic Program: an AI-powered curriculum, world-class mentors, and free AI agents to turn your idea into a fundable company.

9,000+ companies launched since 2009

Turn your idea into the next unicorn

Our programs helped launch Udemy, Esusu, and thousands more, with a portfolio worth an estimated $20B. Yours could be next.

200+ cities and 95 countries

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A global network of founders, mentors, and investors building enduring companies, with free AI agents to help you do the work.

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