Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg- South Africa 2026 program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Johannesburg's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Johannesburg- South Africa 2026 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 online startup events in Johannesburg, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 7:00pm, Mar 10, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/389209
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 2:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/387569
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 6:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/388806
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 5:00pm, Mar 19, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/389916
From Pitch to Paycheck: What it Really Takes to Get Funded in Africa: 6:00pm, Mar 23, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/392081
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 2:30am, Mar 24, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/388510
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 6:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/389014
From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 3:00am, Mar 27, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/392250
Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 6:00pm, Mar 31, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/392522
Unlocking Public Funding for Startups: 6:00pm, Apr 06, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/392051
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 2:00am, Apr 08, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390195
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 6:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390698
From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 6:00pm, Apr 20, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/392386
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 6:00pm, May 18, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390270
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390430
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390568
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391120
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391322
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391602
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 2:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390844
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 3:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391473
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 7:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390981

See all upcoming events

The Johannesburg program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Deepti Jeram (Co-Founder, Boardroom In A Box), John Zabula (Founder, Revisall), Keshni Morar (Managing Director, FI South Africa + Investable), Lily Makaleng (Director, The Founder Institute South Africa), Victoria Odimba (Founder/Lead Strategist, Cellente).

In addition, some of Johannesburg's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Johannesburg Founder Institute includes:

Abdulkadir Suleiman: CEO & Founder, TESPIRE LLC
Abu Bakr Cassim: Founder, Jozi Angels
Akua Nyame Mensah: Certified Executive & Leadership Coach, A.N.M & Company
Alan Fok: Growth Partner & Leadership Coach, The Forward Coach
Andre De Wet: CEO, 2ndBase Inc
Andrew Marsh
Annu Augustine: Founder, NedRock
Anthony Stonefield: Chief Innovation Officer, AIDA Advisory Services
Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, Iaculus
Ayodeji Agboola: Founder, Akowe
Ayodeji Agboola: CEO, Akowe
Bade Aluko: Managing Partner, White Hibiscus Capital
Bentzy Goldman: Founder, Perflo
Berg Moe: Founder, Gründervekst AS
Bertha Kgokong: Founder & CEO, Tati Software
Bhairav Patel: Managing Director, Atom CTO
Brenda Wangari: Head of Portfolio Success, Madica
Brian O. Sing'ora: Brian Obwora Sing'ora, Origee-Nation Ventures
Charlotte Luzuka: Co-Founder & Investor, Dazzle Angels
Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
Cleo Johnson: Strategist, Marketing Maven
Dali Lakhoua: VC Investment Officer, AfricInvest group
Dana Ohana: CEO and Co-Founder, Big Consulting
Deon Katz: CEO & co-Founder , Graphite Growth
Devin Butler: Co-founder & CEO, Metaship
Didier Vermeiren: Founder, Rialto
Dimitri Anagnostopoulos: Partner, True North Partners
Donald Vutlharhi Valoyi: Founder, Zulzi
Dr. Krishnan Ranganath: Regional Executive - West Africa , Africa Data Centres
Dr. Ope Banwo: Attorney/Techfounder, Mobisoft360 Inc.
Eitan Stern: Director & Lawyer, Legalese
Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
Florent Nduwayezu: Mr. , BESTSELLER FOUNDATION
Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS Coaching
Freddy Atangana: Founder and Chief Executive Director, Ekamou
Gareth Bleazard: CEO and Founder, Great North Road
Gbite Oduneye: Founder and Managing Partner, ODBA
Giovanni Focaraccio: Product Manager, Potenza
Greg Serandos: Founder & CEO, African Academy of Artificial Intelligence
Guillermo Guzman: Local Leader, AIDA Ventures
Idowu Akinde: Managing Director, Impact Hub Lagos
Jabulani Zwane: Founder & CEO, Mindset Development Institute
Jaco De Wet: Independent Consultant, Independent Consultant
Jatin Kataria: Founder/MD, InMeSta & Managing Partner, JK Venture Studio
Jerry Oche: Founder/CEO, Zowasel
Johann Ungerer: Director, 1099 Ventures, Infinite Loom
Kamal Hassan: Founding Partner, Loyal VC
Katie Mapondera: Founder and Managing Partner, Q L and D LLC
Kayimbi Ruben Mpanya: Strategic Projects Associate, Innovation Edge
Kendrall Felder: Co-Founder & CEO, Cyber Alliance
Kevin Chetty: Founder CEO, Macrocomm Financial Services / Xtenda Housing Finance
Kopano Mere: Market Activation Lead, SmartWage
Kyle Torrington: Co-Founder , Legal Legends
Larry Yon, Ii: Co-Founder & President, Cyber Alliance
Lundi Njomane: Director, Jozi Angels
Marco Broccardo: CEO , Eurocom
Mark Kleyner: Co-Founder, Dream VC
Mark Fritz: Managing Director, Procedor
Mauricio Cardoso: Corporate Venture Manager, O POVO Communication Group
Maushami Chetty: Founder and CEO, Aarya Legal & GDPR Bridge
Michael O'donnell: Principal, StartupBiz.com LLC
Michael Smith: Managing Director, Hillsdon Consulting Inc.
Nevo Hadas: Director, & innovation
Nicolas Ochmann: Director, Head of Solutions EMEA, Whatfix
Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
Olivier Chas: Entrepreneur, Effective Marketing
Omar Layachi: Local Leader, Founder Institute Morocco
Pambos Soteriades: Founder & CEO, PiSigma Consulting
PASCHAL OFFORDUM: Associate , Shujaa Capital
Patricia Rinke: Investment Manager, AfricInvest Group
Paul Smith: Founder & CEO, Civitas
Pommie Lutchman: Digital Executive (CIO/CTO/CDO) and Startup Mentor, PommieLutchman.com
Preshan Govinder: Manager: Sales and Business Development, JSE
Riccardo Petrantoni: Managing Director, Range Ventures
Roheeni Bhana: Founder, Healthtech Launchpad
Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
Sabeeha Banubhai: Founder and Experience Director, Jack Studios
Sabrina Dorman: Co-Founder, ZUMI
Salmine Sassi: Entrepreneur in Residence, Seedstars
Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
Sanjay Soni: Chief Visionary & Venture Architect, Jozi Angels
Sanjay Bhana: Strategist, Thought leader, Reflective coach/mentor, Sanjay Bhana
Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
Sheriff Olujide: Managing Partner, SOCS GokSon Capital (SGC) Ventures
Sienna Leis: Managing Director, Cova Experience Design
Simon Turner: Founding Partner, Groundbreaking, Managing Director, FI Ghana
Sola Adekanye: Founder, Open Innovation Access
S'onqoba Vuba: Co-Founder and MD, Perpetu8
STEPHAN WESSELS: CTO, Simply Financial Services
Suhail Nakooda: Visa, Director: Business Development
Tamzin Lovell: Founder & CEO, Artfundi
Tarek Chelaifa: Senior Manager, GSMA
Thaheer Mullins: Director & Partner, Savant
Thembalethu Shangase: Head of Programmes, Naspers Labs
Torrey Smith: Co-Founder & CEO, Endiatx
Tracey Chas: Advisor, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
Tyrone Moodley: Venture Associate, HAVAÍC
Viola Llewellyn: Founder & CEO, The Tulle Box
Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
Zolani Matebese: Chairman, Sendoff.app