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:

Founder Meet&Greet: In-Person Startup Networking Late Summer Edition!: 7:00pm, Aug 13, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402568

Global or Regional Events:

How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Aug 11, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/403240
How to Get Customer Feeback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 6:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/403399
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 24, 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
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395197
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Sep 08, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/401159
How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 2:30am, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/403538
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/398297
Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 6:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395142
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!

* Abdellah Aouf * Adam Matalon * Alexander Schabel * Alin Claudiu Apostu * Andreas Assum * Andreas Rickert * Ben Wilkening * Berg Moe * Björn Fedder * Don Samoil * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Jörg Siemes * Kai Buehler * Katrin Dr. Hinzdorf * Kostas Karolemeas * Lieke Ypma * Marcus Trute * Mario Steinbuch * Natacha Neumann * Olivia Czetwertynski * Parul Madan * Pouria Kay * Richard Georg Engström * Samuli Siren * Sergio Chávez * Stefan Jørgensen * Till Kaestner * Veronica Kirin * Vlad Panait