Build the Future: Applications Now Open to Founder Institute South Africa Virtual 2022!

Rethink what's possible in 2022: the world needs more entrepreneurs to lead the way in creating a better future, for everyone.

Whether you have already launched a startup or are still in the idea-phase, now is the time to act. As the global community moves incrementally toward an eventual post-pandemic future, today it remains filled with reshuffled industries and new problems in need of solutions. As we continue into 2022 and beyond, each and every entrepreneur has the opportunity to play a part in helping shape that better future.

That's why we are excited to announce applications are now open for the South Africa Virtual 2022 program.

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from South Africa's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the South Africa Virtual 2022 Founder Institute today.

We will be hosting several free startup events in South Africa over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:

South Africa Events:

[Restricted] South Africa 2026 VIP Launch Mixer (Online Networking Event): 6:00pm, May 11, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/394615

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 6:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/392384
How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 6:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/393996
How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 6:30pm, May 04, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/394501
How Anyone Can Become a Solo Founder with AI: 6:00pm, May 05, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/396534
Stop Guessing: How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days : 6:00pm, May 12, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/396700
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 2:00pm, May 18, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390274
How to Tell Stories That Win Clients and Investors with Lubna Forzley: 6:00pm, May 19, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/396364
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, May 26, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/395431
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390431
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 2:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/388541
Fundraising Reality Check: Startup Funding Q&A for Founders: 6:00pm, Jun 09, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/396203
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 2:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/393164
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 2:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/393560
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390569
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/393287
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391121
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391353
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/392904
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391633
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 2:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390845
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/393417
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 7:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/393040
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 3:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391495
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 7:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390984

See all upcoming events

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute is designed to help you build an enduring business that can survive and thrive in the “new normal.” We do this by giving you a clear process, combined with constant feedback from a devoted network of international entrepreneurs and investors. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading free post-programs.

The South Africa accelerator is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr., Jacobus Erasmus, Keshni Morar, Lavina Ramkissoon, and Phumzile Ntola. In addition, some of Cape Town's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating as mentors in the program, providing expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the South Africa Founder Institute includes:

Abu Bakr Cassim: Founder, Jozi Angels
Alan Fok: Growth Partner & Leadership Coach, The Forward Coach
Andre De Wet: CEO, 2ndBase Inc
Annu Augustine: Founder, NedRock
Anthony Stonefield: Chief Innovation Officer, AIDA Advisory Services
Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, Iaculus
Ashlin Govender: Head of Strategy and Commercial Operations, Delivery Ka Speed
Ayodeji Agboola: Founder, Akowe
Ayodeji Agboola: CEO, Akowe
Bade Aluko: Managing Partner, White Hibiscus Capital
Bentzy Goldman: Founder, Perflo
Berg Moe: Founder, Gründervekst AS
Bertha Kgokong: Founder & CEO, Tati Software
Bhairav Patel: Managing Director, Atom CTO
Brenda Wangari: Head of Portfolio Success, Madica
Brian O. Sing'ora: Brian Obwora Sing'ora, Origee-Nation Ventures
Charlotte Luzuka: Co-Founder & Investor, Dazzle Angels
Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
Cleo Johnson: Strategist, Marketing Maven
Dali Lakhoua: VC Investment Officer, AfricInvest group
Dana Ohana: CEO and Co-Founder, Big Consulting
Deon Katz: CEO & co-Founder , Graphite Growth
Devin Butler: Co-founder & CEO, Metaship
Didier Vermeiren: Founder, Rialto
Dimitri Anagnostopoulos: Partner, True North Partners
Donald Vutlharhi Valoyi: Founder, Zulzi
Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
Fathhi Mohamed: Co-Founder, Street82, DishServe & PickMe
Florent Nduwayezu: Mr. , BESTSELLER FOUNDATION
Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS Coaching
Freddy Atangana: Founder and Chief Executive Director, Ekamou
Gareth Bleazard: CEO and Founder, Great North Road
Gbite Oduneye: Founder and Managing Partner, ODBA
Giovanni Focaraccio: Product Manager, Potenza
Greg Serandos: Founder & CEO, African Academy of Artificial Intelligence
Guillermo Guzman: Local Leader, AIDA Ventures
Idowu Akinde: Managing Director, Impact Hub Lagos
Jabulani Zwane: Founder & CEO, Mindset Development Institute
Jaco De Wet: Independent Consultant, Independent Consultant
Jatin Kataria: Founder/MD, InMeSta & Managing Partner, JK Venture Studio
Jerry Oche: Founder/CEO, Zowasel
Johann Ungerer: Director, 1099 Ventures, Infinite Loom
Jonathan Patrick: GTM & Fundraising Advisor, parabo1ic
Kamal Hassan: Founding Partner, Loyal VC
Katie Mapondera: Founder and Managing Partner, Q L and D LLC
Kayimbi Ruben Mpanya: Strategic Projects Associate, Innovation Edge
Kendrall Felder: Co-Founder & CEO, Cyber Alliance
Keshni Morar: Managing Director, FI South Africa + Investable
Kopano Mere: Market Activation Lead, SmartWage
Larry Yon, Ii: Co-Founder & President, Cyber Alliance
Leonardo Okpeh: Founder & CEO, Smartblocks
Lundi Njomane: Director, Jozi Angels
Majd Alaily: Founder, Ruya Advisory
Marco Broccardo: CEO , Eurocom
Mark Kleyner: Co-Founder, Dream VC
Mark Fritz: Managing Director, Procedor
Maushami Chetty: Founder and CEO, Aarya Legal & GDPR Bridge
Michael O'donnell: Principal, StartupBiz.com LLC
Michael Smith: Managing Director, Hillsdon Consulting Inc.
Nicolas Ochmann: Director, Head of Solutions EMEA, Whatfix
Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
Olivier Chas: Entrepreneur, Effective Marketing
Omar Layachi: Local Leader, Founder Institute Morocco
Pambos Soteriades: Founder & CEO, PiSigma Consulting
Patricia Rinke: Investment Manager, AfricInvest Group
Paul Smith: Founder & CEO, Civitas
Philipp Alexander Ströhemann: Founder & Investor, PAS Ventures
Pommie Lutchman: Digital Executive (CIO/CTO/CDO) and Startup Mentor, PommieLutchman.com
Preshan Govinder: Manager: Sales and Business Development, JSE
Riccardo Petrantoni: Managing Director, Range Ventures
Richard Gau: Co-founder, Chain Wave Tech
Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
Sabeeha Banubhai: Founder and Experience Director, Jack Studios
Sabrina Dorman: Co-Founder, ZUMI
Salmine Sassi: Entrepreneur in Residence, Seedstars
Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
Samuel Mwendwa: Sustainable Finance and Innovation Advocate, .
Sanjay Soni: Chief Visionary & Venture Architect, Jozi Angels
Sanjay Bhana: Strategist, Thought leader, Reflective coach/mentor, Sanjay Bhana
Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
Sayyed Ahmad Masud: Regional Director Pakistan, Founder Institute
Sheriff Olujide: Managing Partner, SOCS GokSon Capital (SGC) Ventures
Sienna Leis: Managing Director, Cova Experience Design
Sola Adekanye: Founder, Open Innovation Access
S'onqoba Vuba: Co-Founder and MD, Perpetu8
STEPHAN WESSELS: CTO, Simply Financial Services
Suhail Nakooda: Naktech (consulting firm and Scale (Fintech), Director: Business Development
Tamzin Lovell: Founder & CEO, Artfundi
Tarek Chelaifa: Senior Manager, GSMA
Tau Chimanga: CEO, Capitai
Thaheer Mullins: Director & Partner, Savant
Thembalethu Shangase: Head of Programmes, Naspers Labs
Torrey Smith: Co-Founder & CEO, Endiatx
Tracey Chas: Advisor, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
Tyrone Moodley: Venture Associate, HAVAÍC
Viola Llewellyn: Founder & CEO, The Tulle Box
Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
William Schutte: Founder and Solution Architect, Chain Wave Tech
Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
Zolani Matebese: Chairman, Sendoff.app

And many more to be announced.

Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 8,900 Alumni raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).