Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI San Diego 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 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.

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 San Diego, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 10:00am, Jun 30, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/371667
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 10:00am, Jul 02, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373266
Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 10:00am, Jul 03, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/375369
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 10:00am, Jul 07, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/370393
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 10:00am, Jul 09, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373396
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 10:00am, Jul 14, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/374705
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 10:00am, Jul 16, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373523
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 10:00am, Jul 23, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373656
Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 10:00am, Jul 24, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/376003
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 10:00am, Aug 11, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/374685
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 10:00am, Aug 18, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/374897
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 10:00am, Aug 25, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/375530
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 10:00am, Sep 17, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373889

See all upcoming events

The San Diego program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Daniel Shires (National Security Innovation | Defense Tech | Startup Advisor & Investor, Shires Inc), 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 * Andy White * Bardia Moayedi * Ben Cote * Brian Storms * Carlos Romero * Caroline Arzoo * Christina Adams * Daniel Shires * David Metzler * Dennis Volpe * James Africano * John Zdanowski * Judy Tsuei * Justin Nahama * Justin Renfro * Ken Davenport * Louie Balasny * Marcos Polanco * Martín Martinez * Moaz Hamid * Nate Parsons * Pete Biggam * Rebeca Hwang * Russell Brand * Sara Ledterman * Tarun Gulati * Tim Poydenis * Tony Murphy