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:

[Restricted] Germany Spring 2026 VIP Launch Mixer (Online Networking Event): 7:00pm, Mar 04, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386694
Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking Cohort Start: 7:00pm, Mar 05, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/389598

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 7:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385261
What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 5:00pm, Mar 09, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/387465
The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 6:00pm, Mar 10, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/389284
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 1:30am, Mar 11, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/388499
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 1:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/387635
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 5:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/388876
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 5:00pm, Mar 19, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/389991
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 5:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/389084
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 2:00am, Apr 08, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/390183
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 6:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/390773
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 6:00pm, May 18, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/390348
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/390505
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/390643
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/391195
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/391310
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/391590
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/390919
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 2:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/391463
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 08, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/391057

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 * Amit Grinvald * Andrea Fernandez * Antony Tikhonov * Ben Larson * Ben Stacey * Ceren Binyildirim * Chris Foltz * Christian Rebernik * David Wills * Dirk Freise * Firas Khalifeh * Juergen Funke * Klaus Kammermeier * Kostas Karolemeas * Lieke Ypma * Michael Burkhardt * Mynia Deeg * Nelson Farfan Espada * Nicola Filzmoser * Pouria Kay * Regine Harr * Robert Kitson * Roman Fernandez * Stephan Wiesener * Tatyana Mitkova * Thomas Hartmann * Till Kaestner * Vlad Panait * Yamila Eraso Pena