Today, the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Buffalo Spring 2019 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Buffalo's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Buffalo Spring 2019 Founder Institute today.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the devoted support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading post-programs.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 9,000 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).
To celebrate the launch, we will host several free startup events in Buffalo, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program:
The Buffalo program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Cody Semrau (Founder & CEO, BetterMynd), Kevin Siskar (Managing Director, Founder Institute New York), Lauren Baynes, New York Admin (Founder Institute , New York), Scott Wayman (Co-director, Funderstar).
In addition, some of Buffalo's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Buffalo Founder Institute includes:
- Alex Kogan: CTO , Hi Operator
- Bob Willer: CTO, Kangarootime
- Brandon Burke: Co-Founder, Chief Product Officer, LegWorks
- Cody Semrau: Founder & CEO, BetterMynd
- Duane Conners: Investment Associate , WNY Impact Fund
- Elizabeth Tsai: Founder & CEO , HiOperator
- Jack McGowan: Director, Buffalo Angels
- Jack Greco: Principal, Cupule Ventures
- Joel Colombo: President , 360PSG
- Kim Speier: Portfolio Growth Manager, 43North
- Lauren Baynes: VP Portfolio & Selection, 43North
- Lauren De Luca: Angel Investor , Buffalo Angels
- Lena Levine: Founder, Lena Levine Studio
- Lindsey Tropf: Founder & CEO, Immersed Games
- Mariah Ramos: Portfolio Manager , 43North
- Matt Davison: Managing Partner, Martin Davison Public Relations
- Matt Helt: Program Directors, 1863 Ventures
- Matthew Pelkey: Attorney, Colligan Law LLP
- Pat Whalen: COO, BNMC
- Scott Wayman: Founder & CEO, Kangarootime
- Scott Friedman: Managing Partner, Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP
- Scott Stenclik: CEO, Aleron
- Tim Shisler: Consumer’s Beverages, Marketing Manager
- Tom Mc Manus: CEO, KegWorks
- And many more to be announced.
The Founder Institute focuses on helping tech or tech-enabled businesses at the pre-seed stage, including both solo-founders and teams. This includes established businesses that are pre-funding and traction, MVP and prototype-stage projects, and even part-time founders with just ideas. FI's mission is to create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
Join us in Buffalo to build a great company in 2020.
Apply to the Buffalo Spring 2019 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
