Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI Brazil & Portugal 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 Sao Paulo program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from the top Brazil and Portugal investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the 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 Brazil and Portugal, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

Brasil Events:

FI Brasil Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies (In-Person): 5:30pm, dez 11, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/383134
Startup Funding: Como conseguir dinheiro para a sua startup em Brasil: 6:00pm, jan 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/379851
Pitch Your Ideas to Brasil Investors & Experts, Online: 6:00pm, jan 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/379847

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Founder Showcase: Startup Pitch & Networking Event, with Jenny Fielding (Everywhere Ventures): 2:00pm, dez 10, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/380896
How to Create Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building: 3:00pm, dez 18, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/384537
Startup Funding AMA & FI Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, FI / GP, Founder Capital): 3:00pm, dez 30, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/384802
Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 1:00pm, jan 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/383189
Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 3:00pm, jan 14, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/385950
Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 10:00pm, jan 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/384231
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 3:00pm, jan 26, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/382008
Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 3:00pm, fev 02, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/383862
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 10:00pm, fev 09, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/383694
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 3:00pm, fev 17, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/385060
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 3:00pm, fev 24, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/385395
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 3:00pm, mar 03, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/385231

See all upcoming events

The Brazil and Portugal is a program that merges both countries in one big cohort, and is led by some of the top startup leaders, including Alexandre Uehara (Conselheiro de Inovação Corporativa e Palestrante, Innov8), Leo Gmeiner (CEO, School Guardian), Marco De Biasi (Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director, FI/LAAS/LGA), Mayra Motta (Advogada especializada em Governança Corporativa, Proteção de Dados & Saúde Digital., Mayra Motta Advogados), Morganna Tito (Morganna Tito, inovabra) from both countries.

In addition, some of Sao Paulo'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 Brazil & Portugal Founder Institute includes:

* Abdellah Aouf * Admar Neto * Alexandre Uehara * Bruno Dequech Ceschin * Cesar Thomé * Claudio Gianturco Gulisano * Don Samoil * Eder Campos * Fabio Frazão * Felipe Dos Santos * Frank Rolim * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Guilherme Yata * Guillermo Guzmán * Laura Gurgel * Leo Gmeiner * Marcelo Bella * Marcio Mendes * Marco De Biasi * Mayra Motta * Monica Lobenschuss * Odete Afonso Duarte * Rafael Campos * Renato Simon * Ricardo Oliani * Rodrigo Barbosa * Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo * Rodrigo Oliveira * Sandra Arango * Tijana Momirov