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:

Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza of Boardy (VIP Event): 4:00pm, mar 19, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/389882
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 1:30am, mar 24, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/388483
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 5:00pm, mar 24, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/388974
Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 6:00pm, mar 31, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392481
From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 2:00am, abr 07, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392229
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
From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 6:00pm, abr 27, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392345
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 2:00am, may 19, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390235
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, jun 02, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390394
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 2:00am, jun 16, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/393120
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 2:00am, jul 07, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392853
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390532
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, ago 10, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/393243
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
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392860
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: 2:30am, oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/390808
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/393373
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Madrid): https://FI.co/e/392998
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 01, 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:

* Adeo Ressi * Alejandro Pons * Alex Navarro * Amit Grinvald * Borja De Gabriel Perez Sauquillo * Carlos Jimenez * Christian Rodriguez * Cédric Naintré * David Masó * Fabian Geyrhalter * Gabriel Gurovich * Glen Hellman * Heiko Rauch * Ivan E. Germanov * Jaime García Cantero * Jaume Mayor I Agell * Javier Cuñat * Juan Carlos Pascual * Marc Vallhonesta * Marcos Polanco * Marta Palomar * Nektar Baziotis * Pablo Fernandez Iglesias * Ricardo Pla * Russell Brand * Sandy Gómez * Sebastian Lora * Trevor Longino * Violeta Garin * Vladimir Pletyukhin