Schedule

In this Welcome session, you’ll be introduced to the goals of the Accelerator Lab program and how it supports local startup ecosystem growth. You'll get a clear overview of the program structure, weekly commitments, and key milestones. The session will cover how to begin recruiting mentors, identifying community partners, and preparing your initial deliverables. This is your starting point for understanding what’s expected and how to successfully launch your local chapter or contribute to an existing team.

This session focuses on building a strong local team and preparing for the upcoming Team Assessment. You’ll learn what makes an effective leadership team, including the roles of operations, marketing, and founder success leads. The session will cover how to engage mentors and partners, what’s required in the team planning sheet, and how to meet the criteria for passing the Team Assessment. Guidance will also be provided on recruiting interns, leveraging personal networks, and using social media to build momentum in your city. Whether you're forming a new team or joining an existing one, this session will help you understand how to contribute effectively and move your city forward.

This session focuses on building your local support network after successfully passing the first program milestone—the Team Assessment. You'll learn how to effectively recruit mentors, establish strategic partnerships, and prepare for upcoming onboarding activities and promotion. The discussion will also cover key deadlines, event planning strategies, and positioning your initiative to attract founders and engage the community. This session provides essential guidance to build a strong foundation and set your local program up for success.

This session focuses on how to effectively promote your chapter and recruit founders through a mix of local and global marketing events. You'll learn how to create a consistent event cadence, leverage personal networks, and align with the support provided by FI's global marketing team. While HQ manages centralized outreach, you’ll walk away with actionable ways to strengthen your local marketing efforts and support founder enrollment.

This session provides an inside look at how the admissions process works, so you can effectively support founder recruitment in your region. You'll learn how Founder Institute HQ evaluates applicants based on entrepreneurial potential, business scalability, and commitment. The session also covers how the Entrepreneurship DNA Assessment fits into the process, including scoring thresholds and basic eligibility requirements. While the admissions process is managed centrally, understanding these details will help you promote the program confidently and align your outreach efforts with our selection criteria.

This session prepares you for the operational phase of running your chapter once recruitment ends and the program begins. You’ll learn best practices for leading a successful cohort, managing weekly sessions, supporting founders, and staying aligned with the Founder Institute’s global standards. The discussion will also cover how to collaborate effectively with your team, track progress, and ensure a smooth experience for both mentors and enrolled founders. This is your guide to confidently navigating program delivery and maintaining high-quality execution throughout the semester.