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 Late Fall Edition: 7:00pm, Nov 20, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376733
Startup Funding in Germany: 2026 Market Outlook & Fundraising Insights: 6:00pm, Nov 27, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/379064
Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking Red Hats Edition: 6:30pm, Dec 11, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/376734
Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking New Years Edition: 6:30pm, Jan 15, 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
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Nate Bek, Ascend VC: 7:00pm, Nov 17, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/382176
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 7:00pm, Nov 24, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/382208
How to Build Your 2026 Startup Operations Plan: 7:00pm, Dec 01, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/382204
Hiring for Startups: How to Build Your Team Early: 7:00pm, Dec 08, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/382196
Founder Showcase: Startup Pitch & Networking Event, with Jenny Fielding (Everywhere Ventures): 6:00pm, Dec 10, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/382188
How to Create Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building: 7:00pm, Dec 18, 2025 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/384568
Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 5:00pm, Jan 06, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/383220
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

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 * Amy Louise Shelver * Antonia Hammer * Christoph Sollich * Dmitry Kharchenko * Dr. Tina Ruseva * Fabrizio Gramuglio * Heiko Rauch * Jan Kennedy * Johannes Rüberg * Jonathan Eade * Lital Aravot * Mali M Baum * Malte Weiss * Manuel Koelman * Mario Steinbuch * Michelle Peters * Mynia Deeg * Neil Baptista * Olga Padulosi * Olivia Czetwertynski * Ovi Negrean * Parul Madan * Regine Harr * Samuli Siren * Stephan Wiesener * Tobias Dickmeis * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Yanick J. Steinbeck * Yann Lelong