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:

Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 1:00pm, abr 27, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/394899
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 1:00pm, abr 28, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/394909
How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 1:30pm, mai 04, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/394934
How Anyone Can Become a Solo Founder with AI: 1:00pm, mai 05, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/396489
Stop Guessing: How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days : 1:00pm, mai 12, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/396654
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 9:00am, mai 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/394948
How to Tell Stories That Win Clients and Investors with Lubna Forzley: 1:00pm, mai 19, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/396319
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 1:00pm, mai 26, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395381
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 1:00pm, jun 02, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/394978
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 9:30pm, jun 08, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395017
Fundraising Reality Check: Startup Funding Q&A for Founders: 1:00pm, jun 09, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/396152
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 9:00pm, jun 15, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395036
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 9:00pm, jul 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395073
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 1:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395089
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 9:30am, ago 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395122
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 1:00pm, ago 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395147
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 9:00pm, ago 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395172
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 1:00pm, set 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395202
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395220
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 9:30pm, out 05, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395247
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 1:00pm, out 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395276
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 2:00pm, nov 03, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395298
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 10:00pm, nov 17, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395310
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 2:00pm, dez 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395345

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 (Startups Legal Advisor & Local Leader Brasil , MM Corporate Law), 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 * Alberto Ferreira * Amanda Martins * Andrea Cerqueira * Andrea Monti * Bruno Dequech Ceschin * Bruno Okamoto * Cesar Thomé * Cintia Mano * Claudio Gianturco Gulisano * Daniela Simão * Diego Simon * Erica Fridman Stul * Fabio Frazão * Felipe Dos Santos * Flavio Galvão * Guillermo Guzmán * Henrique Macedo * In Hsieh * João Cerqueira * Marco De Biasi * Marcos Olmos * Mariana Velásquez * Monica Lobenschuss * Neusa Andrade * Nima Kaz * Paula Machado * Paulo Faria * Peixoto Accyoli * Rodrigo Oliveira