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:

Lessons Learned Raising from Top Silicon Valley VCs: AMA with Rajeev Behera: 11:00am, May 29, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372654
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 12:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372199
How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 12:00pm, Jun 04, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372230
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, Jun 09, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372246
FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 12:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372283
Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 12:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/371969
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372304
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372326

See all upcoming events

The Houston program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including James Phelan (Investment & Growth, The Cannon), Martín Martinez (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 * Abdellah Aouf * Amy Tran * Ben Stacey * Christy Cardenas * Fareed Zein * Fernando Moguel * Gabe Zichermann * Guy Parker * Heather Harde * Ivelin Ivanov * James Kaskade * Javy Martinez * Jay Jamison * Joshua Wang * Krishna Vattipalli * Marcos Polanco * Mariana Muntean * Miao Yan * Mike Breck * Natasha Gorodetsky * Neal Murthy * Noah Wallach * Phil Libin * Philip Kaplan * Sloan Foster * Sophia Clark * Stephen Meade * Will Bunker * Ziv Gillat