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:

Pitch Training Bootcamp with Rikke Klitskov: 6:00pm, Sep 09, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376502
FI Germany Pitch Marathon with Female Founder, Impact and All in pitches!: 6:00pm, Sep 11, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376620
Startup Funding in Germany: 2025 Market Overview & Fundraising Insights: 6:00pm, Sep 16, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376729
Zoom Meet & Greet with Germany Directors & Alumni: 6:00pm, Sep 18, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/369411
Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking Fall Cohort Start: 7:30pm, Sep 18, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376730
Startup Funding in Germany: 2026 Market Outlook & Fundraising Insights: 6:00pm, Nov 27, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/378505

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Ideation Bootcamp: Pitch Showcase: 5:00pm, Sep 04, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/378187
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Rich Maloy: 2:00am, Sep 09, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376665
Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 7:00pm, Sep 15, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376089
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 7:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/373964
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 7:00pm, Sep 22, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/377444
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 7:00pm, Oct 06, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/377775
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 6:00pm, Oct 27, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/377612

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 Schabel * Angela Holter * Benjamin Jones * Björn Fedder * Csaba Tamas * Daan Loening * Daniel Michael Böhi * Heiko Rauch * Inbal Cohen * Jan Kennedy * Javier Rincon * John Calian * Jonathan Eade * José Francisco Fernandez Serna * Juergen Funke * Kai Bolik * Laura Kohler * Manuel Koelman * Manuel Schulze * Marcus Tan * Marcus Trute * Michael Burkhardt * Moritz Spangenberg * Ovi Negrean * Parul Madan * Robert Kitson * Robert Sünderhauf * Stefan Jørgensen * Sören Eversmeier * Tim Von Törne