The Founder Institute, the world's largest startup accelerator, is now accepting applications for the Germany Fall 2026 Semester.
If you could benefit from expert training and advice to launch a technology startup in Berlin, click here to apply today.
Those who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline (Aug 11, 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 Berlin Founder Institute will host a “Pre-Curriculum” of free startup events for the general public:
Germany Events:
- Meet & Greet & Cofounder search Summer Edition: 7:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401517
Global or Regional Events:
- The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 6:00pm, Jul 08, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401685
- Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 5:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402019
- Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 7:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402144
- How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 6:00pm, Jul 14, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401845
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395084
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Jul 28, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401159
- Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 6:00pm, Aug 04, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395142
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395112
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 2:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/399819
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395197
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/398297
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395271
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395293
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395340
Leading the Founder Institute’s efforts in Berlin are Didier Vermeiren, founder of SmartCheckups; and Sascha Karstaedt, founder and CMO of Carving Dreams.
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.
