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: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking New Years Edition: 6:30pm, Jan 16, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376735
Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking Winter Edition: 6:30pm, Feb 12, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376736

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Startup Funding AMA & FI Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, FI / GP, Founder Capital): 7:00pm, Dec 30, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/384833
Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 5:00pm, Jan 06, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/383220
Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 7:00pm, Jan 14, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385977
Why Startups and Small Businesses Require Different Policy Approaches: 7:00pm, Jan 20, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386597
Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 2:00am, Jan 21, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/384329
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, Jan 26, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/382184
Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 7:00pm, Feb 02, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/383893
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 2:00am, Feb 10, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/383796
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 7:00pm, Feb 17, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385089
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 7:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385425
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 7:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385261

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!

* Alexander Langguth * Amy Louise Shelver * Csaba Tamas * Dirk Freise * Eckart Burgwedel * Fabrizio Gramuglio * Felix Hofmann * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Freya Oehle * Gilles Toussaint * Jonathan Liemann * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Lital Aravot * Marcus Tan * Michael Burkhardt * Michael Wendt * Mynia Deeg * Nikhil Madan * Olena Didenko Weber * Olga Padulosi * Parul Madan * Pouria Kay * Samuli Siren * Sergio Chávez * Steven Jacobs * Sören Eversmeier * Thomas Hartmann * Till Kaestner * Trevor Longino * Veronica Kirin