At the Founder Institute, you won't "learn" how to build a business. Rather, you will build your business alongside top startup experts using a proven, structured process that has helped some of the world's fastest growing companies raise over $1.85BN.
Our core program includes a series of challenging growth sprints, in addition to Weekly Feedback Sessions where you will receive constant feedback on your progress from experienced Mentors and Investors.
See the schedule for the Boston 2016 program below.
The Final Application Deadline for the Boston 2016 program is Oct 10, 2016, and you can apply to the program at FI.co/join.
A company cannot be successful without a solid legal and intellectual property foundation. In this session, you will learn all of the key concepts, processes, and requirements unique to building a technology company in your locale. Before the next session, you will then select a law firm, incorporate your company using startup best practices, and develop other key agreements, such as an advisor agreement. In addition, you will take measures to secure the IP you have created to date.
Great companies start with great people. In this session, you will learn how to identify the key hiring needs for your company, how to recruit key hires like Co-Founders (even if you can’t offer any salary), and the best practices for equity allocation amongst a startup workforce. Assignments include identifying and contacting potential advisors, building a hiring strategy and pipeline, starting your first “product sprint”, and more.
Quickly releasing a product is critical towards getting the feedback you need to build a successful company. This week, top product-oriented entrepreneurs will teach you the basics of product development, and how to advance from an idea to an offering on a budget. Assignments include additional customer development, determining the key features to prioritize with your product, building a product roadmap and “first release” plan, and more.
If you can’t get customers to use and pay for your product, then nothing else matters. During the session, you will learn how to “hustle” to identify and close your first customers from entrepreneurs that have done it before. Then, you will put everything you have built to the test, by releasing your first product (if you have not already), securing your first (or new) customers, testing different pricing, and more.
Every company needs capital to grow, and it can come from revenue or outside sources like investors. This finance heavy session will educate you on the different strategies, structures, and tactics for getting investment, as well as how to bootstrap and manage your company cash flow to profitability. After the session, you will consult with your Directors and Advisors to form a plan to capitalize your company, and take various steps depending on the strategy you choose.
Most people that enter the program do not make it to Graduation, because the Founder Institute curriculum is very demanding. However, the select few that Graduate have achieved several years of progress on their startup in just a few months. We typically celebrate the Graduating class with a small event attended by family members, mentors, investors, and more. Afterwards, Graduates gain access to the Founder Institute network, tools, and ongoing resources… and the real work of building and growing an enduring company begins!
Post Program Resources
The 4 month Core-Program is just the beginning. We have developed extensive support programs and resources for our Alumni that far exceed any other comparable startup program.
Continued Support
- Dedicated Alumni Support Team in Silicon Valley
- Access to the world's largest network of mentors and investors (35,000+)
- Private Alumni mailing lists
- $2M+ in partner discounts
- Invites to FI sessions & network events
- Potentail introductions to investors
Post-Programs
- A series of virtual advisory programs where you work with our Silicon Valley HQ team to reach next milestones
- Funding Lab helps get your lead investor within 6 months
- P/M Fit Lab (2023) helps you get to Product Market Fit
- FI Venture Network helps you get intros to investors
- 100% customized and FREE for Alumni