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:

Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 5:00pm, Jun 09, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/370809
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 10:00am, Jun 11, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/371399
How to Maximize Angel Returns with the New Investment Models, featuring NuFund: 10:00am, Jun 18, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/374183
FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 10:00am, Jun 23, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/371826
Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 10:00am, Jun 25, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/372027
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 5:00pm, Jun 26, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373889
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 10:00am, Jun 30, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/371667
Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 10:00am, Jul 02, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373266
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
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

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:

* Al Bsharah * Angel Gambino * Aviv Shalgi * Bardia Moayedi * Bryant Walker * Carlos Romero * Cassius Kiani * Dennis Volpe * Grant Winns * Greg Moser * James Africano * Jason Pang * Joe Bezdek * John Stilo * Jon Carder * Justin Nahama * Louie Balasny * Mark Schmid * Melissa Li * Moaz Hamid * Nate Mason * Nektar Baziotis * Oliver Muoto * Pete DiSalvo * Robert Pruter * Russell Brand * Sara Ledterman * Tarun Gulati * Tirrell Payton * Tony Murphy