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:

Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 7:00pm, mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/386314
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 5:00pm, mar 09, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/387359
The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 6:00pm, mar 10, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/389174
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 1:30am, mar 11, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/388483
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 1:00pm, mar 16, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/387531
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 5:00pm, mar 17, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/388766
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 5:00pm, mar 19, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/389882
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 5:00pm, mar 24, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/388974
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 2:00am, abr 08, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390168
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 6:00pm, abr 14, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390662
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 6:00pm, may 18, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390235
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, jun 15, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390394
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390532
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, ago 10, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391084
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, ago 19, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391296
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391576
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 6:00pm, oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390808
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 2:00am, nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/391449
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, dic 08, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390948

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 Levy * Alejandro Virchez Azuara * Alex Dantart * Amit Grinvald * Antoine Morin * Carlos Esteban * Charles Ehredt * Christian Rodriguez * Christoph Sollich * Glen Hellman * Ivan E. Germanov * Jaime García Cantero * Joan Marcos * Justin Wilcox * Kamal Hassan * Karim Djerboa * Luis Martín Cabiedes * Manuel Minguez * Marcos Polanco * Maria Escarti Barcia * Marta Palomar * Misa Nikolic * Moritz Spangenberg * Nacho González Barros * Oriol Vinzia * Philippe Brun * Roger Yee * Russell Brand * Violeta Garin * Álvaro Miguel Cabrera