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:

From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 2:00am, Apr 07, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394678
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 2:30am, Apr 08, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394697
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 2:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394709
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 6:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394741
How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 6:30pm, Apr 20, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395681
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Apr 21, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395516
Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 6:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394634
How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 6:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394617
How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 6:30pm, May 04, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394456
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 2:00am, May 19, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394964
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, May 26, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395373
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394973
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 2:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/394655
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 2:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395054
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395082
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395107
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395140
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Amsterdam): https://FI.co/e/395195
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 * Amit Grinvald * Andras Galffy * Annu Gmeiner * Charlotte Christensen * Daan Weddepohl * Dominique Dufour * Ebin Ephrem Elavathingal * Edouard Renard * Eleni Lialiamou * Erika Darmstaedter * Fabian Geyrhalter * Felix Kernbichler * Firas Saedaddin * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Gal Nachum * Georg Molzer * Gregor Zehetner * Jiaran Wang * Kiziltan Yüceil * Lubomila Jordanova * Lucy Izquierdo Greene * Marco Kogler * Martin Frühwirt * Nik Zechner * Pamela Wolf * Stanish Gunasekaran * U Shin Kim * Valentina Podda * Vladimir Pletyukhin