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 Chicago'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.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Chicago, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
Chicago Events:
- Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago: 6:00pm, Jan 15, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/362933
- Pitch Your Ideas to Chicago Investors & Experts, Online: 6:00pm, Jan 22, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/357375
- Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago: 6:00pm, Feb 04, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/364630
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Go from 0 to 1: Scaling and Exiting Your Startup with Mark Balovnev: 12:00pm, Jan 06, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/363164
- Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute): 7:00pm, Jan 07, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/360291
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Technical Co-Founder: 12:00pm, Jan 08, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/361553
- Startup to Scale-Up: Mastering Sales & Branding with Mark Kosoglow: 12:00pm, Jan 13, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/360936
- How to Build, Fundraise, and Exit Your Startup: AMA with Tim Grassin: 4:00am, Jan 15, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/363400
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 7:00pm, Jan 22, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/361793
- How to Align Your Brand Messaging with Your Startup Mission: 12:00pm, Jan 27, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/362965
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 12:00pm, Jan 29, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/363450
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Trasition to Startup Founder : 7:00pm, Feb 03, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/363623
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Feb 05, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/363804
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 12:00pm, Feb 10, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/363979
- Investor Valuation Basics: How to Assess Your Startup’s Worth with Neil Shah: 7:00pm, Feb 24, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/364399
- Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 12:00pm, Feb 27, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/364235
The Chicago program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Jason Jacobsohn (Managing Partner, Propellant Ventures).
In addition, some of Chicago'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 Chicago Founder Institute includes:
* Bob Gillespie * Charles Kwon * Chris Foltz * Daniel Roberts * Derick Jiwan * Eric Broughton * George Khalife * Jeff Lyons * Joe Bezdek * John Dallas * Karim Djerboa * Kelly Fitzsimmons * Kevin Taylor * Kim Rubenstein * Marisa Bryce * Marshall Stanton * Michael Kelly * Mike Kritzman * Mindi Knebel * Peter Tapling * Phil Leslie * Pinaki Saha * Rajesh Voddiraju * Ross Kimbarovsky * Shaniqua Davis * Stephen Meade * Timothy Kelley * Ujjwal Gupta * Vladimir Pletyukhin * William Furlong
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Chicago to build a great company in 2023.
Apply to the Chicago Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
