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 San Diego program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from San Diego's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the San Diego 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 San Diego, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
San Diego Events:
- Meet the San Diego Startup Ecosystem: Happy Hour (In-Person): 6:00pm, Jun 04, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/399961
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 9:30am, Jun 01, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/398079
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 9:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/394993
- How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job Featuring Adeo Ressi: 11:00am, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/399258
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 5:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/394652
- What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 9:00am, Jun 09, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/396163
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 5:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/393132
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 5:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/392784
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 9:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395156
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 9:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395098
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 5:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/393255
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 5:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395175
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 5:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/399761
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 9:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/392872
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 9:00am, Sep 15, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/398310
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 5:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395223
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 5:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395249
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 9:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/393385
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 9:00am, Nov 03, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/393008
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 5:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395317
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 9:00am, Dec 01, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395351
The San Diego program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Daniel Shires (Managing Director, Founder Institute), Greg Coleman (Managing Director, Founder Institute & 5Side Strategy), Mike Sherbakov (General Partner, The Veteran Fund), Ryan Micheletti (Head of Global Operations, Founder Institute).
In addition, some of San Diego'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 San Diego Founder Institute includes:
* Abdellah Aouf * Al Bsharah * Bardia Moayedi * Bill Nelson * Bridget Blaise Shamai * Chris Foltz * Eric Grab * Eric Weiss * Frank Mastronuzzi * Gary Raju * Genevieve Le Marchal * Greg Coleman * James Wilson * Jason Pang * John Zdanowski * Louie Balasny * Mark Phinick * Martín Martinez * Neal Bloom * Nektar Baziotis * Noah Wallach * Pete DiSalvo * Robert Pruter * Russell Brand * Stuart Volkow * Tim Poydenis * Tirrell Payton * Trevor Longino * Tyler Hastings * Tyson Mc Dowell
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in San Diego to build a great company in 2024.
Apply to the San Diego Fall 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
