Build a Great Startup in 2023 with the FI Eastern Europe 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 Central Eastern Europe Fall 2025 program!

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

Central Eastern Europe Events:

Startup Co-Founder Matching: Find the Right Partner in Sofia: 6:30pm, May 16, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/371517
Innovation Georgia 2025: 9:30am, May 29, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/371311

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Future-proofing CPG Brands: Key Strategies for Sustainable Growth: 5:00pm, May 15, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372599
Launching and Scaling Startups in Europe: Insights from FI Founders: 8:00pm, May 19, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372632
Lessons Learned Raising from Top Silicon Valley VCs: AMA with Rajeev Behera: 7:00pm, May 29, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372674
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372190
How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 8:00pm, Jun 04, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372222
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 3:00am, Jun 10, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372270
FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 8:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372275
Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 8:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/371941
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 8:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372296
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (Europe/Sofia): https://FI.co/e/372317

See all upcoming events

The Central Eastern Europe program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alex M. Dascalu (Lead Director, Founder Institute Eastern Europe), Cee Admin (Admin, Founder Institute CEE), Ivan Germanov (Regional Success Manager, Founder Institute HQ), Ivaylo Ivanov (Director, Founder Institute CEE), Maria Mihes (Advisor, Start-ups).

In addition, some of Central Eastern Europe'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 Central Eastern Europe Founder Institute includes:

* Adeo Ressi * Alex M. Dascalu * Alexander Naydenov * Alexander Sumin * Bernie Li * Colin Howes * Cosmin Curticapean * Florin Cioaca * Florin Grosu * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Iskren Mitev * Janet Todorova * Keti Meparishvili * Kostas Karolemeas * Malin Iulian Stefanescu * Maria Mihes * Mattia Raffaelli * Maya Zlatanova * Mihai Darzan * Milen Ivanov * Natalya Bagrova * Peter Lozanov * Philip Choban * Pouria Kay * Radu Balaceanu * Sergiu Petre * Stefan Jørgensen * Tatyana Mitkova * Valentina Zaharia * Vassil Popovski