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:
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Founders of High-Growth Startups (Q&A + Networking): 8:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/391173
- 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/405898
- 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:
* Abdellah Aouf * Adrian Cernautan * Ahmed Bakr * Amr Metwally * Anand Ganesh Rao * Aras Bilgen * Berg Moe * Bill Ashlock * Brian Proffitt * Eleni Lialiamou * Farhat Bashir * Ivan Ivanka * Jon Edward Santillan * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Julien Lancha * Marcel Ionescu * Maria Ines Miranda * Milena Kraeva * Moaz Hamid * Moshe Mikanovsky * Muamar Magam * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Rasha Laswi * Renjit Philip * Roman Kovalenko * Scott Gillespie * Shamim Chowdhury * Sush Bapna * Tarek Ghobar * Vanessa Mouledous
- 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.
