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 North Carolina 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from North Carolina's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the North Carolina 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.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in North Carolina, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- How to Create Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building: 1:00pm, Dec 18, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/384610
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Startup Funding AMA & FI Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, FI / GP, Founder Capital): 1:00pm, Dec 30, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/384875
- Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 11:00am, Jan 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/383272
- Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 1:00pm, Jan 14, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/386017
- Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 8:00pm, Jan 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/384273
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Jan 26, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382063
- Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 1:00pm, Feb 02, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/383933
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 8:00pm, Feb 09, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/383739
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 1:00pm, Feb 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385130
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 1:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385535
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 1:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385372
The North Carolina program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Oz Merchant (CEO, ecomsellersHQ).
In addition, some of North Carolina'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 North Carolina Founder Institute includes:
- Anoop Anthore: VP - Engage IQ, Sales and Product Strategy, Cadalys
- Anthony Rotoli: CEO, Ocelot
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Bill Fields: NC Market Leader for Venture Debt, Bridge Bank
- Bill Harper: CEO & Chief Creative Officer, BrandBossHQ
- Brian Reale: Founder, Processmaker.com
- Burak Eryigit: Director of Software Engineering, Odyssey Logistics and Technology
- Clay Lehman: CTO, Firm360
- Daniel Shires: Managing Director, Founder Institute
- Danielle Livy: VP of Marketing, Viably
- Doug Kaufman: CEO & Founder, Belongly
- Erica Jenkins: Founder, Erica Jenkins Consulting
- Erik Severinghaus: VP, Bloomfilter, Inc
- Greg Brown: President, Cardinal Finance LLC
- Greg Lissy: Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Finmark
- Gregg Armitage: CEO, FoundHuman
- Gregg Bordes: Managing Partner, Front Porch Venture Partners
- Jan Davis: Managing Partner, Davis Growth Partners
- Jenn Summe: Startup Investor, Primordial
- Jesse Jones: Owner, Fourscore Business Law
- Jesse Lipson: CEO, Levitate
- John Turner: Director of Engineering, Ampla
- Jonathan Rollman: Founder, ProdUx Design
- Joshua Herzig-Marx: Founder and PM Coach, Founder and PM Coach
- Linda Sanders: Managing Director, Transition360 Partners
- Lister Delgado: Founder and Managing Partner, IDEA Fund Partners
- Mark Kelley: Co-Founder, Zero Copy Labs
- Merrill Mason: Owner, Smith Anderson
- Oz Merchant: CEO, Futureproof
- Ray Antonino: CEO, Co-Founder, PERMITS.com
- Robert Williams: Managing Partner, 3 Waves Capital
- Scot Wingo: CEO, Spiffy
- Sean Mitton: Professional Speaker & Coach, Question Based Mind Mapping
- Tobi Walter: Partner, Cofounders Capital
- Todd Brengel: SVP, Sales, The Muse
- Tom Collopy: CEO, Co-founder, Unbiased Insights, Inc.
- Tom Fisher: Founding Advisory Board Member, Carry Venture Capital
- Venus Liles: Startup Attorney & Founder of Liles Law, Liles Law
- Yasin Abbak: CEO / CoFounder, GroupUps
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in North Carolina to build a great company in 2024.
Apply to the North Carolina 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
