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.
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:
- Impact Startups: Pitch your Idea to experts and investors: 6:00pm, Sep 30, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402803
- All topics: Startup Pitch Practice: Bring your insights and get feedback!: 6:00pm, Oct 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402804
- Startup Funding in Germany: 2027 Market Outlook & Fundraising Insights: 6:00pm, Oct 08, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402807
- Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin Startup Networking Cohort Start Edition: 7:00pm, Oct 14, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/404580
- [Restricted] Germany Fall 2026 VIP Launch Mixer (online): 7:00pm, Oct 21, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/391841
- Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin Startup Networking cozy Edition: 7:00pm, Nov 12, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/404911
- Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking Red Hats Edition: 7:00pm, Dec 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/404548
Global or Regional Events:
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 28, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/398297
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Founders of High-Growth Startups (Q&A + Networking): 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/405879
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395340
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 * Andrea Fernandez * Andreas Rickert * Ben Larson * Csaba Tamas * Dirk Freise * Dmitry Kharchenko * Don Samoil * Felix Hofmann * Gregor A. Erkel * Inbal Cohen * Jan Kennedy * Johannes Rüberg * John Calian * Jonathan Greechan * Mali M Baum * Manoj Ranaweera * Michelle Peters * Misa Nikolic * Natacha Neumann * Neil Baptista * Nikhil Madan * Oliver Kranz * Sara Kolata * Sergio Chávez * Sören Eversmeier * Tanja Morsch * Thomas Hartmann * Tim Schumacher * Tobias Tschötsch
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Germany to build a great company in 2024.
Apply to the Germany Fall 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
