Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI GCC 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 GCC program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from GCC's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the GCC 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 GCC, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 9:00pm, Jul 14, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/374418
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 9:00pm, Jul 16, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/373699
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 9:00pm, Jul 23, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/373587
Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 9:00pm, Jul 24, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/375932
Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 9:00pm, Jul 28, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/376087
Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 9:00pm, Aug 07, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/375292
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 9:00pm, Aug 11, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/374574
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 9:00pm, Aug 18, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/374776
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 9:00pm, Aug 25, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/375572
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 9:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/373968

See all upcoming events

The GCC program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Ayhan K. Isaacs (Head of Global Growth, Founder Institute), Carmen Mateos ( Innovation Program Lead, Entrepreneur.com), Dr. Hanan El Basha (Founder & CEO, Maverika), Sameer Sortur (Founder & CEO , SquareCircle Ventures).

In addition, some of GCC'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 GCC Founder Institute includes:

* Abdellah Aouf * Anoop Hingorani * Ashutosh Wakankar * Ayami Wanasinghe * Ben Stacey * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Ganesh Shankar * Guillermo Guzman * Janet Todorova * Jitendra Singh * Jonathan Steingiesser * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Keshni Morar * Kishore Kumar * Krishna Tammireddy * Krishnakumar Devnally * Moaz Hamid * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Omar Zaki * Padmini Gupta * Pavan Soni * Rajesh Joshi * Renjit Philip * Sameer Karulkar * Scott Gillespie * Seemant Shrivastav * Shamim Chowdhury * Tom Thomas * Vera Futorjanski * Vijay Gummadi