Build a Great Startup in 2023 with the FI Barcelona 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 Barcelona - Spain 2026 program!

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

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 Barcelona, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 2:00am, feb 10, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386300
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Growing Innovation Districts through Regional & Private Partnerships: 7:00pm, feb 10, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/387853
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 7:00pm, feb 17, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386304
Meet Early-Stage Founders looking for a Co-Founder (Online Networking Event): 7:00pm, feb 23, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/388098
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 7:00pm, feb 24, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386309
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 2:30am, mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/388483
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 7:00pm, mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386314
What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A: 5:00pm, mar 09, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/387359
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 1:00pm, mar 16, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/387531

See all upcoming events

The Barcelona program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alfredo Cottin (Managing Partner, Post Data), Andres Camacho, Barcelona Admin (., StartYou), Daniel Gonzalvez (Investment Manager | Chapter Director, Founder Institute), Federico Fernandez Dupouy (Entrepreneurship, Solar Energy, Finance & Investments, OTEPI & IESA), Raphael Jardim (Barcelona Program Director, Founder Institute).

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

* Alberto Gutierrez * Alex Navarro * Antoine Morin * Axel Serena * Borja De Gabriel Perez Sauquillo * Charles Ehredt * Cédric Naintré * Daniel Silva * Daniel Vecino * David Masó * Federico Fernandez Dupouy * Ivan Germanov * Jaime García Cantero * Karim Djerboa * Karina Rasic * Leticia Domínguez * Luis Martín Cabiedes * Manuel Minguez * Marc Vallhonesta * Marcos Polanco * Maria Escarti Barcia * Michael Clark * Oriol Vinzia * Patrick Williamson * Reinaldo Valbuena * Ricardo Pla * Sandy Gómez * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Víctor Gómez * Ziv Gillat