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:

How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 8:00pm, Jul 14, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/401895
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/390621
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 8:00pm, Jul 28, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/401219
Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 8:00pm, Aug 04, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/391173
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 4:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/393329
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 4:30am, Aug 11, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/393517
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 4:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/391308
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 4:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/399817
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 8:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/392946
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 8:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/398363
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 4:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/391588
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 4:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/390897
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 8:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/393459
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 9:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/393082
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 5:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/391461
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 9:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/391022

See all upcoming events

The GCC program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Nidhima Kohli, Sameer Sortur (Founding Partner, 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 * Aigerim Zhangozina * Ajay Goel * Anand Ganesh Rao * Anoop Hingorani * Ayami Wanasinghe * Bipin Pendyala * Chris Foltz * Christoph Sollich * Enad Kanaan * Farhat Bashir * Ish Anand * J Ramachandran * Jitendra Singh * Jonathan Greechan * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Keshni Morar * Maria Paula Oliveira * Moshe Mikanovsky * Pouria Kay * Pritam Onsker * Rajesh Setty * Ryan Micheletti * Shaima Ghafoor * Sridhar Turaga * Subhabrata Ghosh * Sudarshan Ramakrishna Chetlur * Syed Shujauddin * Tarun Gulati * Vladimir Pletyukhin