The Founder Institute, world's largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, is now accepting applications for the Barcelona - Spain Fall 2026 Semester. Since launching in Barcelona in 2012, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 15 companies in the region, and our efforts in Barcelona have also been profiled by several high profile media channels, including Expansion, TICbeat, and more.
If you could benefit from expert training and advice to launch a technology startup in Barcelona, click here to apply today.
Those who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline (oct 06, 2026) will have their application fees waived (typically $50) and are eligible for Founder Institute Fellowships.
In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising startup entrepreneurs "learn by doing" and launch a company through structured training courses and expert feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, you are not required to quit you day job to participate, so you can begin building a business around your ideas without putting your livelihood at risk.
In order to celebrate the launch, the Barcelona Founder Institute will host a "Pre-Curriculum" of free startup events for the general public:
Barcelona Events:
- How to Get Your First Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 6:00pm, jul 14, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/400692
Global or Regional Events:
- The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 6:00pm, jul 08, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/401612
- Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 5:00pm, jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/402005
- Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 7:00pm, jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/402131
- How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 6:00pm, jul 14, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/401839
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390532
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, jul 28, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/401129
- Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 6:00pm, ago 04, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391084
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, ago 10, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/393243
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 2:30am, ago 11, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392853
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, ago 19, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391296
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 2:00am, ago 26, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/399794
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392860
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/398268
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391576
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 2:30am, oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390808
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/393373
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392998
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 2:00am, nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391449
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, dic 01, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390948
The Barcelona Chapter will take place on Tuesday evenings beginning nov 18, 2026, and once again be led by two leaders of the Barcelona startup scene: Urs Rothmayer (Experienced Startup Advisor and Serial Entrepreneur), and Oriol Bes (CEO of Startup Catalyzer).
In only 17 years of operation, over 9,000 graduate companies across 200 cities have used the Founder Institute to validate their idea, develop their plans, refine their product, build an advisory board, prepare for seed funding, and more.
