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.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Houston, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
Houston Events:
- Meet the Houston Startup Ecosystem (In-Person Networking Event): 7:00pm, Oct 07, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/367298
- [Restricted] Houston Spring 2026 VIP Launch Mixer (In-Person): 7:00pm, Feb 03, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/367279
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 12:00pm, Jul 02, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373210
- Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 12:00pm, Jul 03, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/375304
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372326
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 12:00pm, Jul 09, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373341
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 12:00pm, Jul 14, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374430
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 12:00pm, Jul 16, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373477
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 12:00pm, Jul 23, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373599
- Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 12:00pm, Jul 24, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/375942
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 12:00pm, Aug 11, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374586
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Aug 18, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374788
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Aug 25, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/375453
- How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 12:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373862
The Houston program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including James Phelan (Investment & Growth, 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:
* Aaron Chavez * Adeo Ressi * Amy Tran * Atul Patel * Ben Stacey * Christy Cardenas * Elisa Sepulveda * Fareed Zein * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Guy Parker * Ivelin Ivanov * Jay Jamison * Jc Garrett * Joshua Wang * Juliana Garaizar * Justin Moore * Krishna Vattipalli * Levi Velez Reed * Marcos Polanco * Mariana Muntean * Mike Breck * Munjal Shah * Noah Wallach * Paul O'Brien * Philip Kaplan * Raja Mawad * Rajesh Setty * Sophia Clark * Tiana Laurence * Wade Pinder
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Houston to build a great company in 2023.
Apply to the Houston Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
