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

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

Midwest Events:

Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago: 6:00pm, May 28, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/397533

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 11:00am, May 26, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398564
How to Start a Unicorn as a Solo Founder, with Adeo Ressi: 1:00pm, May 26, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399097
Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 11:30am, Jun 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398040
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 11:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398494
How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job Featuring Adeo Ressi: 1:00pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399221
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 7:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398962
What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 11:00am, Jun 09, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398605
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 7:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398626
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 7:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398638
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 11:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398730
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 11:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398664
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 7:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398703
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 7:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398757
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 7:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399727
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 11:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398781
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 11:00am, Sep 15, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398272
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 7:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398804
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 7:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398817
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 11:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399044

See all upcoming events

The Midwest program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Jason Jacobsohn (Managing Partner, Propellant Ventures).

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

* AJ DeLeon * Abdellah Aouf * Adeo Ressi * Amit Bhanot * Ben Stacey * Blake Allsmith * Bob Gillespie * Charles Kwon * Chris Foltz * Daniel Roberts * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * George Khalife * Greg Jaros * Joe Bezdek * John Dallas * Kelly Fitzsimmons * Kevin Taylor * Mike Kritzman * Mindi Knebel * Moshe Mikanovsky * Phil Leslie * Pinaki Saha * Rajesh Voddiraju * Reva Minkoff * Rod Hart * Ross Kimbarovsky * Shaniqua Davis * Stephen Meade * Ted Greene * William Furlong