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 Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 5:00am, Feb 10, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/383793
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Growing Innovation Districts through Regional & Private Partnerships: 10:00pm, Feb 10, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/387930
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 10:00pm, Feb 17, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/385086
Meet Early-Stage Founders looking for a Co-Founder (Online Networking Event): 10:00pm, Feb 23, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/388167
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 10:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/385422
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 5:30am, Mar 03, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/388497
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 10:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/385258
What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A: 8:00pm, Mar 09, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/387420
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 4:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/387602
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 8:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/388840

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), 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 * Alan Lwetabe * Alex M. Dascalu * Anoop Hingorani * Arun Natesh * Astrid Chedid * Ben Stacey * Berg Moe * Dr. Hanan El Basha * Enad Kanaan * Farhat Bashir * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Ingeborg Gasser Kriss * Janet Todorova * Janet Todorova * Jitendra Singh * Jonathan Greechan * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Kishore Kumar * Krishna Tammireddy * Maria Paula Oliveira * Moshe Mikanovsky * Rajesh Joshi * Ryan Micheletti * Sherif Elmasry * Sridhar Turaga * Sudarshan Ramakrishna Chetlur * Sunil Bangalore * Tarun Gulati * ThankGod Egbe