Build a Great Startup in 2023 with the FI Houston 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 Houston Spring 2026 program!

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

How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 7:00am, May 18, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390358
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Tell Stories That Win Clients and Investors with Lubna Forzley: 11:00am, May 19, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/396435
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 11:00am, May 26, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/395500
How to Start a Unicorn as a Solo Founder, with Adeo Ressi: 12:30pm, May 26, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399190
Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 11:30am, Jun 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398132
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 11:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390518
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 11:30am, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398366
How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job, with Adeo Ressi: 1:00pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399309
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 7:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/388473
What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 11:00am, Jun 09, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/396271
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 7:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393241
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 7:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392845
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 11:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390656
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 7:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393364
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 11:00am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391208
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 7:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391287
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 11:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392981
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 7:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391567
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 7:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390932
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 11:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393494
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 11:00am, Nov 03, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393118
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 7:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391442
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 11:00am, Dec 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391068

See all upcoming events

The Houston program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including James Phelan (Investment & Growth, ZPTTLR Inc. / The Cannon), Martín Martinez (Founding & Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas), Mery Ramirez (Founding Partner, DataNexum Consulting), Natasha Gorodetsky (Founder & CEO; Head of Product, Product Pursuit).

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

* Adeo Ressi * Amy Tran * Armando Mualumene * Bade Aluko * Ben Stacey * Christy Cardenas * Curt Olivares * Dana Marruffo * Denise McGettrick * Fareed Zein * Guy Parker * Ivelin Ivanov * James Kaskade * James Phelan * Jay Jamison * Jeff Murphy * Joey Jones * Joshua Wang * Krishna Vattipalli * Mariana Muntean * Miao Yan * Natasha Gorodetsky * Noah Wallach * Philip Kaplan * Scott Ferguson * Sloan Foster * Taneallea Feddis * Tovit Neizer * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Wade Pinder