
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 Washington DC Virtual 2022 wprogram.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Washington DC's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Washington DC Virtual 2022 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup events in Washington DC over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
Washington DC Events:
- Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Washington DC: 6:00pm, May 20, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372400
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372217
- How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 1:00pm, Jun 04, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372239
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Jun 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372260
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 1:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372292
- Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 1:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372048
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372312
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372345
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 Washington DC accelerator is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Brian Bassett and Guc Ozenci. In addition, some of Washington DC'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 Washington DC Founder Institute includes:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Abid Masood: Founder, Buddio
- Alan Wilson: Cofounder, Tripwire Interactice
- Alan Ocana: Founder & CEO, Consolhub and BBC CARGO
- Alex Koshykov: CEO, YODD Medical
- Allan Wilson: Founder & Managing Director, Flat Rock Solutions
- Allyson Redpath: Board Member, Westchester Land Trust
- Amelia Friedman: Co-founder, Hatch
- Andres Jordan: Founder, Factor6, LLC
- Andrey Mikhalchuk: CEO, Craftus
- Angela Olanike Akinbohun: Founder, Inventor, Pandora 21 Consultants
- Anne Rosenblum: Business Investment and Capital Attraction Manager, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
- Anthony Millin: Founder & Chair, Next by Shulman Rogers
- Anuj Agrawal: Chief Marketing Officer, Earth Networks
- Arcui Usoara: Founder/CEO, Iaculus
- Ario Keshani: Investor and Advisor, AWS
- Ashtan Moore: Entrepreneur, A Misfit Plethora
- Aydin Bolkar: VP of International Operations, Alarm.com
- Benjamin Young: CEO, Sworkit
- Beulah Toth: Strategist, Obvious
- Bill Stokes: Founder & Chairman, Washington Network Group (WNG)
- Bo Wang: Vice President, Juggernaut Capital Partners
- Brant Cooper: Author | CEO | Founder, Moves the Needle
- Brent Halliburton: Product Management, Amazon
- Brian Bassett: Director, Simple Thread
- Brian Childress: Architect, Technical Advisor, Calendly
- Bryan Duarte: Managing Partner, BlackTech Capital
- Cameron Powell: Partner, IonIdea + Gregor Wynne Arney PLLC
- Carlos De Paula: Founder & Managing Director, Acadia Partners
- C. Derek Campbell: CEO, Blue Holding Oceans
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Chris Haug: Founder and CEO, 360° Venture Management Group
- Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Responsible Solutions Ltd
- Christie Thompson: Partner, Campfire & Co.
- Christopher Wink: Publisher and CEO , Technically Media
- Christopher Rogers: Partner, Lumia Capital
- C'pher Gresham: Founder, Front Row
- Cq Huynh: Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs
- Craig Snodgrass: Venture Partner, Valor Ventures
- Cynthia Gilmer
- Dan Hnatkovskyy: CEO and Co-Founder, Propertymate
- Dan Myers: Co-Founder & Partner, 42Phi Ventures
- Daniel Kroepfl: Vice President, TELE Controls Inc.
- Daniel Shires: Consultant, Independent
- Danielle Tate: Founder & CEO, MissNowMrs.com & Elegant Entrepreneur
- Dave Mc Carthy: Executive Director, Potential Energy DC
- Dave Hall: CEO, DLH Technology Advisors
- Dave Feldman: Executive Director, Bethesda Green
- David Giannini: Chairman and CEO, Cirrusworks, Inc.
- David Roberts: CEO, Anovium
- Debra Cancro: SVP Data Products, Bigtincan
- Derren Burrell: Venture Capitalist, Veteran Ventures
- Dilara Rustamzada: Founder, Passion Technologies
- Don Samoil: Managing Partner, Trusted Scale
- Ed Harrell: Managing Partner, Harrell Capital Partners LLC
- Ed English: Chief Product Officer, Higher Logic
- Eddie Hill: Director, Mason Enterprise Center
- Elizabeth B-Amissah
- Ellen Meinhart: Senior International Trade Manager, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
- Ellis Rosenberg: Vice President, Sales, WellDoc, Inc
- Emily McMahan: Partner, Academy Investor Network
- Eric Koefoot: Founder & CEO, PublicRelay, Inc.
- Erna Redzepagic: Social Impact Accelerator, Halcyon
- Esmael Dinan: Founder & CEO, Offino
- Everett Carpenter: President, Evertechnologies
- Eylem Senyuz: Director, Truist Wealth
- Frances Reimers: Principal , Firestarter
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Cofounder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
- Fred Cohen: Founder and CEO, Angel to Exit
- Frederic Gumbinner: Managing Partner , G2 Development Partners
- Gabriela Oporto: Founder, Selia
- Geneviève Nixon-Weems: Founder and CEO, Geneviève Global
- Gigi Kizhakkechethipuzha: Founder, ImpelHub
- Gira Wieczorek: Managing Partner / Co-Founder, Aleberry
- Guc Ozenci: Connector | Advisor, ConnectOp
- Guillermo Ortiz de Zarate: President, Lineup
- Gül Branco: People and Culture Transformation Leader, Branco Development Group
- Hanae Bezad: CEO | Author, Beehane Advisory
- Hank Yuan: Venture Partner, VU Ventures | , Venture Associate, Republic
- Hannah Kim: Shwappe, Founder & CEO
- Hatice Murphy: Director, Infuze International
- Henry Hunter: ceo, Incidr
- Hooman Kazerani: Sr VP, ICF
- Howard Eisenberg: Founder , EuroSort
- Isabel Pablo: Founder, GK Innovations Lab
- Iskender Uguz: Head of Small Business Lending and Decision Sciences, Capital One
- Jamil Ramsey: Founder and CEO, Snap Contacts
- Jamil Wyne: Co-Founder, Riffle Ventures
- Jeb Ory: Startup Advisory (exited founder), N/A
- Joe Daniels: Partner, Co-Chair - Emerging Companies, Partner & Co-Chair, Emerging Companies Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
- Johan Holmberg: Senior Associate, Second Century Ventures
- John Holaday: Chairman and CEO, DisposeRx Inc.
- Jomy Methipara: Business and intellectual property (IP) Attorney, Dickinson Wright
- Jonathan Greechan: Co-Founder & CEO, Founder Institute
- Jonathan Chashper: CEO, Product Savvy Consulting
- Josh Rosenthal: Founder & CEO, CloudSploit
- Joshua Frankel: President, Startcase
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Justin Etheredge: Partner, Simple Thread
- Kaitlin Capobianco: Senior Manager, Fellow Community and Recruitment , Halcyon
- Kathie Brady: CEO Group Chair, Vistage
- Keith Segerson: CEO, P3 Innovation Strategies
- Ken Gordon: Co-founder and CEO, VALR
- Kevin Fulmer: Director, Alex Brown Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Kevin Franck: CCO, Otolith Labs
- Kiki Ramsey: Founder, Kiki Ramsey International
- Kuzeyhan Ozdemir: Lean Startup Mentor, Founder Institute
- Kyle Brown: Founder - CEO
- Laura Clark: VP, Brand Development , MeatMe Pet Food
- Laura Shibut: Program Manager, Lighthouse Labs RVA
- Leena Palav: Board Member, Strategy Advisor, COO, -med devices, health tech, consumer products, robotics
- Leonardo Garcia: Senior IoT & 5G Solutions Consultant, AT&T
- Lisa Friedlander: Founder Board Member, Citrine Angels
- Lisa Garcia: Business Commercialization Consultant and Coach, Lisa K. Garcia, LLC
- Liz Sara: Managing Director, Best Marketing, LLC
- Liz Ward: Head, Zebox America
- Liza Rodewald: Co-founder, Instant Teams
- Loni Faraci: Director of Product , Co-Star
- Mali Phonpadith: CEO/Founder, SOAR Community Network
- Marc Trost: Founder, M&T CPA PLLC
- Marco Rubin: Senior Investment Director, VIPC
- Marcos Filho: Full-time MBA student, University of Michigan Ross School of Business
- Mark Kass: Senior Counsel , Crowell & Moring LLP
- Mark Phinick: B2B Deal Coach, Let's Make It Rain
- Mashea Ashton: Founder and CEO , Digital Pioneers Academy
- Matt Mandell: Principal, PayNerd.com
- Matt Hanson: Co-Founder, PAX Momentum
- Maura O'brien Ali: CEO and Managing Director, American Growth Solutions
- Max Kryzhanovskiy: President, MOS
- Melissa Akkaway: Partner, The Particulars
- Michael Riemer: Advisor, ABJJ Consulting
- Michael O'brien: Managing Partner, Siol Venture Capital
- Michelle Pham: Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP
- Mirza Baig: Partner, Aldrich Capital Partners
- Mitch Praver: President & Co-Founder, The Fifth Beatle Skills Network, LLC
- Mohammed Kashif: Senior Quality Assurance Automation Engineer, Department of Motor Vehicles
- Murat Karabulut: Senior Solutions Architect
- Nadine Zerrini: Director, Founder Institute Boston
- Naresh Verma: Analyst - Mentor - Coach - Product Design, Data Visualization, Yoova
- Natcha Thawesaengskulthai: Global Chief Innovation Officer, Chulalongkorn University
- Navroop Mitter: CEO, ArmorText
- Neil Kleinberg, DiliVer
- Neil Shah: Founder & CEO, ThinkNimble
- Nick Rajpara: Economic Development Specialist, SBA
- Nicola Corzine: Executive Director , Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
- Nimish Jalan: COO, Big Red Group
- Nitin Pradhan: Founder and CEO , ScaleUP
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Olivier Meganck: Founder & CEO, TheList.wtf
- Onur Kutlu Gago: Serial Entrepreneur & Growth Advisor, Coimex
- Patrick Bryant: CEO, CODE/+/TRUST
- Patty Simonton: Ecosystem Builder. Certified Entrepreneurship Development Professional., Independent Contractor
- Paul Singh: Chief Hustler, Results Junkies
- Pawan Kohli: AI in Healthcare | Health Tech Strategist | Ex-Unicorn Startup | CTO/CIO/CISO | Startup advisor | Speaker | Mentor, Binary Blue
- Peter Ettinger: Partner, The 7914 Group
- Pierre Gomez: Program Manager, Systems and Technology Research (STR)
- Rafael Kartaszynski: CEO, TechEdge Dynamics
- Rajesh Rai: Partner, Montane Ventures
- Rajiv Madhok: Founder, Oorja
- Ram Boreda: VP, Egnyte
- Randy Reade: Co-founder, Washington ArchAngels
- Richard Rothstein: CEO, Rothstein Consulting
- Rohan Brown: Founder, Pitch Mayhem
- Rokas Beresniovas: Head of Growth, Commercial and Small Business Leading, NIH Federal Credit Union
- Roman Rodriguez: CEO, The Coaching Market
- Ronit Avni: Founder , Just Vision
- Rosemarie Truman: Founder and CEO, Ignite Social Impact
- Sam Feigi: Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP
- Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
- Sammy Popat: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Catalyst, University of Maryland
- Sandeep Aneja: Founder & Managing Partner, Kaizenvest
- Sandy Vasan: Founder , outcomes.work
- Sanjay Prasad: Founder/ CEO, SurgiPrice/ SurgiConnect
- Sanjaykumar Patel: Founder & Principal IP Attorney, EXCELON IP - Patent & Trademark Attorneys
- Sarah Bassett: Research Director , US. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services (minority-side staff)
- Sean Makulowich: Founder & CEO, IdeaFire™
- Seema Alexander: CEO, Disruptive CEO Advisory
- Seth Banks
- Sever Totia: Partner, 3TS Capital Partners
- Shahed Amanullah: Founder & COO, Zabihah
- Shani Peled: Founder & Managing Partner, TechnoArt
- Simon Okeke: CEO, Jet Star Logistics
- Sina Roshan: Cofounder & CPO, Peekage (Techstars 2020)
- Şirin Köprücü: Principal, Strategic Straits
- Smriti Bagry: Senior Product Manager, ByteDance (TikTok)
- Solomon Asad: Principal, SSCP
- Spencer Hansen: Director of User Experience & Design, Simple Thread
- Sriram Gollapalli: Managing Director, Long Angle
- Stanley Mc Chrystal: Founder , McChrystal Group
- Stephen Lehman: Chairman and CEO , CoFounders Lab
- Stephen DiLorenzo: Partner, Carter, DeLuca & Farrell LLP
- Steve Ryan: Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP
- Steven A. Rodriguez: Venture Catalyst, STVNRCO
- Sumit Saraf: Managing Partner, IHQ Ventures LLC
- The Bob Kolodney, HBS Alumni Angels
- Tien Wong: Founder and CEO, Lore
- Tim Young: Founder, Young Marketing Consulting
- Tolga Vural: Partner, Aegean Associates
- Tom Smith: Co-founder, Truss
- Tony Amer: Managing Partner, TRANSFORMity
- Tovit Neizer: Chief Storyteller, Yellow Bricks
- Tyrone Taylor: President, Capitol Advisors on Technology, Former NASA Director
- Ufuk Demirci: Global Head, Venture Funds, IFC
- Vikram Dhawan: Founder & CEO, KnoetiK Solutions Inc.,
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- Wa'il Ashshowwaf: Co-Founder & CEO, Unstuck Labs
- Wayne Lifshitz: Sr Director, Chemonics
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- Yi Wang: CEO and Founder, Macaw Medical Technology
- YouMon Tsang: Founder and CEO, ChurnZero
- Yvonne Quahe: Trainer, Facilitator, Coach and Author, WBFN
- Zac Blanco: Senior Manager, Keiter
- Zaria Pompey Smith: Program Director, Nex Cubed
- And many more to be announced.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 7,500 Alumni raise over $1.85BN 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).
Join us in Washington DC to help build the future.
Apply to the Washington DC Virtual 2022 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
---