Build a Great Startup in 2023 with the FI Benelux 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 Benelux program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Amsterdam's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Benelux 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 Amsterdam, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Aug 11, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/403252
How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 6:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/403405
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 24, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395107
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 2:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/399801
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395195
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Sep 08, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/401148
How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 2:30am, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/403544
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/398286
Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 6:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395140
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395269
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395286
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395333

See all upcoming events

The Amsterdam program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Ingeborg Gasser-Kriss (Board Director, Innovation Advisor , FoodTech), Jacqueline Kressner (Impact Advisor, JK Advisory), Kasia Sadowska (Founder, FutureHabits.Tech), Lilla Peczely (co-director, Founder Institute Switzerland - Israel chapter), Simon Fuehrer (Program Manager, Founder Institute Austria), Stanish Gunasekaran (Visiting Chief of Staff, 4P Capital), Stephan Kreiger (Director, FI Vienna).

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

* Abdellah Aouf * Andras Galffy * Annu Gmeiner * Barbara Van Lodensteijn * Charlotte Christensen * Christian Zeidler * Daan Weddepohl * Dominique Dufour * Ebin Ephrem Elavathingal * Erika Darmstaedter * Fabian Geyrhalter * Felix Kernbichler * Gal Nachum * Jacqueline Kressner * Jiaran Wang * Jimmy Jaspers * Lubomila Jordanova * Lucy Izquierdo Greene * Lukas Wieser * Malgorzata Goraczek * Marco Kogler * Michael Dobersberger * Nik Zechner * Pouria Kay * Sara Bentsen * Stanish Gunasekaran * Stavros Pavlidis * U Shin Kim * Valentijn Koppenaal * Vladimir Pletyukhin