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 Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 9:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/373968
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 9:00pm, Sep 22, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/377442
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 9:00pm, Oct 06, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/377773
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 9:00pm, Oct 27, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/377610
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 5:00am, Nov 11, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/378960
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Kirby Winfield: 10:00pm, Nov 17, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/379384
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 10:00pm, Nov 24, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/379516

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), 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:

* Astrid Chedid * Brian Proffitt * Chirag Warty * Eleni Lialiamou * Janet Todorova * Jonathan Greechan * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Julien Lancha * Katie Mapondera * Keshni Morar * Kishore Kumar * Krishnakumar Devnally * Moaz Hamid * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Parvez Kudrolli * Prabhat Kumar * Prasad Vanga * Rajesh Joshi * Ryan Micheletti * Sanjay Jesrani * Sanjay Soni * Seemant Shrivastav * Shekhar Kirani * Subhabrata Ghosh * Sunil Bangalore * Sush Bapna * Syed Shujauddin * Tarun Gulati * Tom Thomas * Vijay Gummadi