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:

Houston Events:

FI Houston Partner & Sponsor Salon: 4:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374028

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 7:00am, Mar 16, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/387663
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 11:00am, Mar 17, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/388896
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza of Boardy (VIP Event): 10:00am, Mar 19, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390006
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 7:30pm, Mar 23, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/388473
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 11:00am, Mar 24, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/389104
From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 8:00pm, Mar 26, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392223
Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 11:00am, Mar 31, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392599
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 7:00pm, Apr 07, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390159
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 7:00pm, Apr 13, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/389507
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 11:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390786
From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 11:00am, Apr 20, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392463
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 7:00pm, May 18, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390358
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 11:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390518
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:

* Abdellah Aouf * Armando Mualumene * Atul Patel * Christa Clarke * Christy Cardenas * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Gabe Zichermann * Guy Parker * Heather Harde * Javy Martinez * Jc Garrett * Joey Jones * Joshua Wang * Justin Moore * Krishna Vattipalli * Mery Ramirez * Mike Breck * Noah Wallach * Phil Libin * Philip Kaplan * Raja Mawad * Rajesh Setty * Ram Prasad * Sophia Clark * Stephen Meade * Taneallea Feddis * Tosin Ojo * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Will Bunker * Ziv Gillat