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:

Startup Funding AMA & FI Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, FI / GP, Founder Capital): 7:00pm, dic 30, 2025 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386271
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 5:00pm, ene 06, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386273
Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 7:00pm, ene 14, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386278
Why Startups and Small Businesses Require Different Policy Approaches: 7:00pm, ene 20, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386501
Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 2:00am, ene 21, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386286
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, ene 26, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386287
Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 7:00pm, feb 02, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386291
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 2:00am, feb 10, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386300
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 7:00pm, feb 17, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386304
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 7:00pm, feb 24, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386309
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 7:00pm, mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386314

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:

* Abdellah Aouf * Adeo Ressi * Alejandro Virchez Azuara * Alex Navarro * Arcui Usoara * Axel Serena * Björn Ühss * Borja De Gabriel Perez Sauquillo * Carlos Esteban * Christoph Sollich * David Gonzalez Castro * David Tomás * Federico Fernandez Dupouy * Heiko Rauch * Javier Cuñat * Juan Carlos Pascual * Kamal Hassan * Karim Djerboa * Karina Rasic * Luis Martín Cabiedes * Manuel Moreno Castell * Marc Vallhonesta * Marcos Polanco * Maria Escarti Barcia * Michael Clark * Nektar Baziotis * Oriol Vinzia * Philippe Brun * Roger Yee * Vladimir Pletyukhin