Build a Great Startup in 2023 with the FI Austin Startup Accelerator

The Founder Institute, the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Austin program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Austin's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Austin Founder Institute today.

About the FI Austin Program:

Since 2017, the Founder Institute Austin Chapter is the longest running FI program in the State of Texas, helping launch over 80 companies during that span. Notable graduates include GoalProfit (Acquired), Accelerate3D, knowRX, FocalPoint Procurement, Cinevva, Prowess Project, and many more. To date, alumni from the FI Texas chapters have rasied a total of $25M in pre-seed and seeed capital, and have been accepted into later-stage accelerators like Techstars, Draper Startup House/Draper University, SputnikATX, MassChallenge, and more.

In 2023, the FI Austin chapter officially transitioned back to in-person programming for the Spring and Fall Cohorts in partnership with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce (read the press release here), a major first for any chapter globally since 2020. In partnering with the GACoC, Founder Institute Austin graduates recieve special perks including weekly access to in-person FI sessions at the Chamber Headquarters in downtown Austin, priority access to the Dell for Startups Program, discounted badges to the South by Southwest Conference and Music Festival (SXSW), exclusive access to special events like the Austin A-List Awards, Austin Startup Week, Austin Startup Ecosystem Summit, Texas Venture Crawl, and much more.

Grads [Photo: The FI Austin Spring 2023 Class, taken at the Austin Graduation Showcase on May 17th 2023, featuring special guest, Hugh Forrest, Co-President & Chief Programming Officer at SXSW]

Please note: This program will be run 100% in-person, weekly at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce in Downtown Austin, Texas, with proper local safety precautions in place. Learn more here.

About Founder Institute

Since 2009, our highly-structured accelerator programs have helped entrepreneurs at the earliest stages grow quickly, know what to do next, and make connections with the largest community of startup advisors.

It all starts with our renowned ‘FI Core’ accelerator, which pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. Alumni of FI Core then receive free access to our advanced ‘Founder Lab’ accelerators for years to come, and can get matched with prospective investors in the FI Venture Network, a collection of global funds actively investing in the earliest rounds of funding.

To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Austin, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

How to Build a Fundable Start-up Brand: 12:00pm, May 20, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347619
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
FI Startup Accelerator Graduation with Kelly Perdew (VC at Moonshots Capital): 12:00pm, May 21, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347499
Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder: 12:00pm, May 22, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347602
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, May 27, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347574
How to Quickly Establish Safe, Reliable, and Compliant AI Startups: 12:00pm, May 29, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347545
What is Entrepreneur DNA? Insights from 15 Years of Social Science Research: 12:00pm, Jun 03, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347874
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with a Venture Capitalist: 7:00pm, Jun 05, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347849
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 7:00pm, Jun 10, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347827
Startup Success: Mastering the Product Discovery Process (Online Workshop): 12:00pm, Jun 11, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347363
[Restricted] Venture Trailblazers, featuring James Currier (Founding Partner at NFX): 9:45am, Jun 12, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/349027
Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder: 12:00pm, Jun 12, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347796
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Jun 17, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347773
How to Take a Value Proposition to Finding Product Market Fit: 12:00pm, Jun 24, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347739
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Jun 26, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347712
Adam Robinson’s Journey: Bootstrapping Retention.com to $22M ARR: 11:00am, Jul 12, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/348680
The Startup Founders’ Guide to Building AI Products Quickly & Easily : 12:00pm, Aug 14, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/347898

See all upcoming events

The Austin program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Martín Martinez (Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas), Riley Knox (-, -), Shane Brechmann (Director, Founder Institute Austin).

In addition, some of Austin'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 Austin Founder Institute includes:

Aaron Ali: CEO, Helix
Aaron Chavez: Managing Partner, (un)conventional ventures
Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
Abe Chu: Co-founder & CMO, NextSeed
Abhi Dobhal: Founder/ COO/CFO , Warehouse Republic
Abhishek Kumbhat: Dr, SapidBlue Technologies
Adam Weinroth: CMO & Advisor, Various Startups
Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
Aeryn Cagle
Aki Ohashi: Vice President, Evolution Ventures
Albert Baez: President, Blended Sense
Amanda Lettmann: CEO, COO & Co-Founder, Kardia Ventures/ SimpleDisability, Inc.
Amanda Eakin, Sputnik ATX
Andrew Millet: Founder, Process Pro Consulting
Andy Fruhling: SVP, Nokia
Andy Hart: Advisor, a Mana Project
Anita Roberts, Silicon Hills Capital
Anu Pansare: CEO, Volyx
Arturo Piña: President, ProductCamp Austin
Ashley Jennings: Managing Director , Texas Innovation Center - Technology Commercialization at UT Austin
Ashley Connell: CEO & Founder, Prowess Project
Ben Chaib
Bill Blackstone: EVP of Operations, Galvanize
Bob Bridge: Founder and Executive Director, SWAN Impact Network
Bora Laci: Assistant Director of Programs, SMU Tower
Bre Cruickshank: Founder & CEO, Radical Girl Gang
Brett Beckett: Vice President - Finance & Strategy, Realogy - Independence Title
Brian Hammer: Founder & CEO, Residual Media
Brian Childress: Architect, Technical Advisor, Calendly
Brian Sparkes: Head of Communications, Bay Angels
Brianna Mc Kernon: Chief of Staff, Aspen Insights
Candace Ohm: Founder, Canz.Art
Candice Digby: Partnerships and Events Director, Vapor IO
Cara McCarty: CEO, Betterleave
Caroline Healey: Director , Antler
Charles Martin: Co-Founder , Flux Bucket
Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
Chris Palmisano: Investor, Sano Ventures, LLC
Chris Turnley: Chief Revenue Officer
Chris Smurthwaite: Founder, VC Insider
Christiana Yebra: CEO, Vouch
Corey Rose: Vice President, Global Technology & Innovation, Opportunity Austin
Cs Freeland: Co-Founder, Texas Venture Association
Dana Marruffo: Owner, Buzz Public Relations, LLC
Dana Abramovitz: Founding Team, SXSW
Daniel Alvarez: Vice President, Disruptive Technology & Disruptive Commerce, JPMorgan Chase & Co
Daphne Bernicker: CEO, HumanAim
Dave Heimnuck: CEO / Founder, Hidrent
David Robinson Jr.: Founding Member, Blueprint Local
David Franklin: Founder & CEO, knowRX
David Gibson
David Mandel: Managing Partner, Managing PartnerManaging Partner Emerging Ventures Fund
David Valentino: Managing Director, Austin Venture Association
David Hendrawirawan: Founder, Data Integrity First
Dean Cruse: Principal, DC Marketing
Dennis Menendez, Founder Institute Austin
Diane Yoo: Managing Partner, Medingenii Capital
Dianthe Skurko: Principal, GVC Partners
Dustin Byington, Two12
Edward Madongorere: Co-Founder, CEO, Moon
Emma Borochoff: Head of Marketing, 8fig
Emmit Schultz: Founder & CEO, Savi, Inc.
Eric Fishhaut: President, Gelber & Associates
Eric Samdahl: CEO / Founder, GHSD Group
Eric Salwan: Co-founder, Firefly Aerospace
Fabian Geyrhalter: Founder and Principal, FINIEN
Frankie Arvelo: Startup Counsel, Arvelo PLLC
Gennadiy Goldenshteyn: Managing Partner, First Principles, LLC
Guc Ozenci: Tech-Entrepreneur | Mentor | Director | Investor, Founder Institute
Guy Parker: Chief Strategy & Creative Officer, Ambient Way
Harrison Wells: VC, Notley
Hazel Chappell: CEO | Founder, ishca health Inc
Heath Butler: Founder/Managing Partner, Gestalt Growth Advisors
Heather Buffo: Venture Growth & Partnerships
Heidi Leach: Vice President, Emerging Tech & Disruptive CommerceVice President, Emerging Tech & Disruptive Commerce, JP Morgan
Horacio Rodriguez Rilo: Founder, Boop
Howard Freidman: Managing Partner, Bluechip Jets
Hugh Forrest: Chief Programming Officer, SXSW
Ian Bidot, Jon Brumley Texas Venture Labs
Ignacio Castro: Managing Director, Founder Institute Boston
Ivelin Ivanov: co-founder, FI Web 3
Jacqueline Hughes: Founder, Austin Startup Week
Jaleh Daie, Ph.D: Chairman/Founder, AgFoodHealthSpan (AFH Vertical), Band of Angels
James Phelan: Co-Founder, The Cannon
Janice Omadeke: CEO, The Mentor Method
Jasmin Brand: Founder / CEO, Her Texas
Jasmin Brand: CEO and Founder, Her Texas
Jason Taylor: Executive Director
Jason Assir: Principal Consultant, Opex Digital Consulting
Jason Scharf: Creator and Co-Host, Austin Next
Jason W. Taylor: President & Founder, CodeLaunch Accelerator
Javy Martinez: Managing Director | Startup Advisor | Event Host, Founder Institute North Texas
Jeff Eversmann: Mentor, FI
Jenaro Diaz: Founder & CIO, Minero
Jodie Slater Hastings: Co-Founder , The Slate
Joe Daniels: Partner, Co-Chair - Emerging Companies, Partner & Co-Chair, Emerging Companies Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Joe Beard: Founder / CEO, Advisor
Joey Jones: Co-Founder/Chief Revenue & Compliance Officer, CurveBlock Ltd
Jose Padilla
Jose Angel Ortega: Investor, VC
José Luis Silva Vázquez: Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Dux Capital
Joseph Liu: Venture Partner, Wise Ocean
Juan Thurman: Managing General Partner, SWAN Impact Fund
Juan Martinez: Founder, HyveCity
Judy Tsuei: Founder, Wild Hearted Words
Justin Mc Kenzie: Vice President, Bandera Electric Cooperative
Ken Pomella: CEO, RevStar
Kendall Gallagher: Head of Sales , Skaled
Kennie Matthews: Chairman & CEO, M Infrastructure, Inc.
Kevin Sharp: General Partner, WIV Ventures
K.J. Royal: Founder, Join Sprints
Kristie Whites: FOUNDER & CEO, Serving Social
Kristy Alballero: Co-Founder & CFO, IOOGO
Kwame Boler: Co-Founder & CEO, Spritz
Kyle Wiggins, Assembly
Laura Kamrath: CEO, Zebra Marketing Solutions
Lauren Washington: Co-Founder, Black Women Talk Tech/Fundr
Leigh Christie: CEO and Executive Director, BEAM Angel Network
Levi McMellian: CEO | Founding Partner | Managing Director, CFO4Life
Lily Turner: Manager, Global Investment & Innovation, Opportunity Austin
Lito Rodriguez: Partner, DWX Par
Lucas Chaya Del Pino: Dell for Entrepreneurs Lead, DELL Technologies
Malcolm Woods: Founder - Alumni, Meander Travel
Mara Rada: CEO & Chief of Strategy, Feral (thinkferal.com)
Marcos Rodriguez: Mentor Investor, Rodriguez Capital Holdings LLC
Marcus Carey: CEO, ThreatCare
Maria Burgos: Founder & CEO, Trendy Seconds
Maria Pienaar: Principal, First Principles
Mariana Muntean: Founder & CEO, Cinevva
Mariano Gonzalez: Founder and General Partner, MGV Capital Group
Mario Soave: Founder, CleverFi
Marlon Montgomery: Director of Technology & Product , Globant / MediaTech.ventures
Martín Martinez: Founding & Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas
Maryna Burushkina: Founder, GrowthChannel
Matt Brown: HEAD OF TECH & GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, Galaxy Venture Capital
Mauricio Delgado: Co-founder and CPO, Nada
Maxim Nazarov: Investment Director , FinSight VC
Melisa Pinto-Rivera, MS: Consultant/ Founding Partner , Stella Sophia Global
Melissa Unsell-Smith: Co-founder and President, https://rectifydata.com
Mellie Price: Executive Director, Texas Venture Labs, University of Texas at Austin
Mercedes Bankston: Founder, Funderstar LTD
Miao Yan: Corporate Development Manager-Renewable Energy, NOV
Michael Morton: CEO, Morton Consulting Group
Michelle Witt: Principal, Propelled Marketing
Mike Breck: Principal, Acuity Thinking
Mike Solow: Partner
Molly Walsh: Director, Founder Institute Dallas
Nakevia Miller: Founder, Nakevia Designs
Narek Gevorgyan
Natasha Gorodetsky: Founder&Head of Product, Product Pursuits
Nathan Ryan: CEO and Co-Founder, Blue Sky Partners
Neha Sampat: Founder, CEO, Contentstack
Nelly Yusupova: Founder, TechSpeak.co
Nelly Yusupova: Founder, TechSpeak.co
Nick Hahn: President & Founder, Creative Liberation
Nikola Korac: CEO, Downstream IT Solutions
Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
Oleg Lysiak: Partner Success Manager, Honeycomb Software
Omar Zaki: Founder, Qima Ventures
Paola Origel: Co-Founder & Managing Partner, ChainLink Capital
Paul O'Brien: CEO, MediaTech Ventures
Pavan Kumar: Founder, 3pmVentures
Peter Busch, Meet Jane
Prerna Sharma: Associate Partner , Antler
Q Manning: Head of Design, SmartAC.com
Rafael Kartaszynski: CEO, TechEdge Developers
Rahul Agarwal: Principal Technical Product Manager, Hasura
Ram Prasad: Fractional CPO/CTO, Delence
Richard Delgado: Partner, ERA Capital Partners
Riley Knox: Founder, Accelerate3D
Robert Balderas: Founder & CEO, Bob's Containers
Rogelio De los Santos: Cofounder and Managing Partner, Dalus Capital & FI Monterrey
Roger Heaston: President & CEO, Refinition
Roland Peña: SVP Global Tech & Innovation, Opportunity Austin
Saima Siddiqui: Director of Product Management, Joyride.com
Sally Aiello: Business Development, Walmart
Samuel Riehn: Chief Executive Officer, SBIR Advisors Inc.
Scott G. Cornelius: VP, Refinition
Sean Bauld: Founder & Chief Experiment Officer, spxk
Sebastien Long: Founder & CEO, Lodgeur
Shane Brechmann: Founder & CEO, Topmost Ventures
Shelby Stephens: Founder & CEO, GrowthMatch
Shlomi Podgaetz: Director/CEO, Rizasmart Consulting
Shree Moorthy: Senior Vice President, Vertex Software
Sloan Foster: Principal , Envisage Associates
Sneha Lundia Agrawal: Founder & CEO, Step2Growth
Sophia Clark: Founder & Creative Director, Galiatea
Stephanie Lopez: Vice President, JPMorgan Chase & Co
Stephanie Mc Kee Zielinski: Host & Producer, INSIDE.COM
Sterling Smith: CEO, Sandbox Commerce
Steve Jennis: Founder and CEO, Jennis Consulting Group
Tarun Gulati: Founder & CEO, Adios
Thom Singer: CEO, Austin Technology Council
Tiana Laurence: GP, Laurence Innovation
Tony Banning: Chairman, Smash Digital Media
Trey Ikard, WIV Ventures
Ty Audronis: Founder/ ceo, Tempest Droneworx
Ty Audronis: CEO, Tempest Droneworx
Tyler Durman: CEO & Founder, Ignition Growth Consulting
Ugochi Owo: CEO, Flindel
Unnat Bak: CEO, Revscale
Valliappan Narayanan: Director of Engineering, AT&T
Vidhi Data, She Raises Capital
William Douglas: CEO, OpticWise
Wogbe Ofori: Founder, Wrx Companies
Yagub Rahimov: Founder, Tested Web
Yemi Oluseun: Founder/ CEO - Fintech, SaaS Business Growth, Automation & Change Management, The Change Hive
Yj Lin: Senior Program Manager, Dell
YJ Lin: Program Manager, Dell for Entrepreneurs