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 Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 4:00am, Apr 29, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/366725
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 4:00am, May 06, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/370069
What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 4:00am, May 08, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/366602
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Nathan Beckord: 9:00pm, May 12, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/366397
Future-proofing CPG Brands: Key Strategies for Sustainable Growth: 6:00pm, May 15, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/370970
Lessons Learned Raising from Top Silicon Valley VCs: AMA with Rajeev Behera: 8:00pm, May 29, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/371216
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 9:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/370564
How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 9:00pm, Jun 04, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/371343
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 4:00am, Jun 10, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/370849
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 9:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/370332

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:

* Adam Matalon * Alan Lwetabe * Anoop Hingorani * Ben Stacey * Bipin Pendyala * Dr. Hanan El Basha * Eleni Lialiamou * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Ingeborg Gasser Kriss * Jitendra Singh * Jonathan Steingiesser * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Kishore Kumar * Krishna Tammireddy * Mercedes Bankston * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Pouria Kay * Ravikiran Annaswamy * Renjit Philip * Sameer Karulkar * Shaima Ghafoor * Shamim Chowdhury * Shanti Mohan * Sherif Elmasry * Sridhar Turaga * Srikanth Bhagavat * Subhabrata Ghosh * Syed Shujauddin * Tarun Gulati * Vladimir Pletyukhin