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.
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 Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 8:30pm, Jun 22, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/400866
- Economic Development: How to Build Entrepreneurial Communities: 7:00pm, Jun 23, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/401027
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 8:00pm, Jun 30, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/401219
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 4:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/393517
- The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 8:00pm, Jul 08, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/401678
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/390621
- 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
- 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
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:
* Adam Matalon * Alex M. Dascalu * Anand Ganesh Rao * Ashutosh Wakankar * Ben Stacey * Berg Moe * Christoph Sollich * Ganesh Shankar * Indica Amarasinghe * Ingeborg Gasser Kriss * Ish Anand * Jonathan Greechan * Julien Lancha * Katie Mapondera * Keshni Morar * Krishnakumar Devnally * Maria Paula Oliveira * Murtuza Haryanawalla * Mustafa Saeed * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Omar Zaki * Prabhat Kumar * Prasad Vanga * Rajesh Joshi * Ravikiran Annaswamy * Raviprasad Pisupati * Sanjay Soni * Shamim Chowdhury * Srikanth Bhagavat * Syed Shujauddin
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in GCC to build a great company in 2024.
Apply to the GCC Spring 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
