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:

Meet the FI Alumni Scaling Startups in Europe: 7:00pm, Aug 04, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/375578
Pitch Your Ideas to Germany Investors & Experts, Online: 6:00pm, Aug 06, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376554
Startup Funding in Germany: 2025 Market Overview & Fundraising Insights: 6:00pm, Aug 13, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376728
Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking Late Summer: 7:00pm, Aug 27, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/369412
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: 7:00pm, Sep 18, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376730

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 7:00pm, Aug 07, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/375294
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 7:00pm, Aug 11, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/374576
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Elizabeth Yin (GP, Hustle Fund): 5:00pm, Aug 14, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376871
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 7:00pm, Aug 18, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/374778
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, Aug 25, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/375444
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

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!

* Adam Matalon * Amy Louise Shelver * Andrea Helmerich * Andrea Monti * Andreas Assum * Ben Larson * Ceren Binyildirim * Claudia Bacco * Cristian Munteanu * David Wills * Dr. Tina Ruseva * Fabian Kofler * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Inbal Cohen * John Calian * Juergen Funke * Lieke Ypma * Lital Aravot * Lloyed Lobo * Manuel Schulze * Martin Giese * Maximilian Bock * Michael Wendt * Mynia Deeg * Parul Madan * Phil Libin * Regine Harr * Stephan Wiesener * Steven Jacobs * Tanja Morsch