Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI Germany 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 Germany program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Germany's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Germany 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 startup events in Germany, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs, many will be virtual, but a few also physical in Berlin:

Germany Events:

Meet & Greet & Cofounder search Summer Edition: 7:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401517

Global or Regional Events:

The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 6:00pm, Jul 08, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401685
Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 5:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402019
Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 7:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402144
How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 6:00pm, Jul 14, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401845
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395084
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Jul 28, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401159
Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 6:00pm, Aug 04, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395142
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395112
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 2:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/399819
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395197
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/398297
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395271
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395293
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395340

See all upcoming events

The Germany program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Amanda Fornal (Director, Startup Advisor, Women in STEM advocate), Dirk Lehmann (Innovation Advisor & Pitch Coach, Dirk Lehmann & Partners), Ferdinand Muehlhaeuser (Lead Director Germany), Kai Malkwitz (Serial Entrepreneur, sustainability evangelist and Impact Director), Rikke Klitskov (CMO, Founder Institute), Mohammad Tavangar (Director, Partner Management), Eva Dimitrova (Director, Community Management), Nathan Evans (Director, Startup Advisor) and Sara Maki (Director, Startup Advisor).

We are very happy to have Unicorn Workspaces at our side as our FI Berlin location partner, being a core supporter for the Berlin startup scene, providing invaluable event spaces, coworking opportunities, and startup offices of all sizes.

In addition, a selection of more than 50 mentors out of our 800+ Germany mentor network will be actively participating as mentors in the program and you will be able to tap into our entire Berlin and worldwide mentor network as a graduate of the program. Please find an overview of our German mentor network below!

* Amy Louise Shelver * Antonia Hammer * Athanasios Ladopoulos * Björn Fedder * Cecile Garcia Le Goff * Ceren Binyildirim * Christoph Sollich * Cynan Rhodes * Cédric Naintré * Eckart Burgwedel * Freddy Atangana * Freya Oehle * Inbal Cohen * John Calian * Lubomila Jordanova * Magdalena Reith * Marcus Tan * Maximilian Bock * Michael Burkhardt * Michelle Peters * Philip Semmelroth * Roman Fernandez * Sergio Chávez * Stephan Wiesener * Steven Jacobs * Till Kaestner * Tobias Tschötsch * Trevor Longino * Vlad Panait * Yann Lelong