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:

From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 9:30am, ago 24, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393362
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 9:00pm, ago 25, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399797
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 1:00pm, set 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/392979
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 1:00pm, set 15, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398587
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391559
Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 1:00pm, out 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391202
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 1:00pm, out 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393492
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 2:00pm, nov 03, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393116
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 10:00pm, nov 17, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391438
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 2:00pm, dez 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391062

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 ( Proteção de Dados, Plataformas Digitais & IA , 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:

* Alberto Ferreira * Amanda Martins * Ana Pires * Bruno Okamoto * Cesar Thomé * Cintia Mano * Diego Simon * Don Samoil * Erica Fridman Stul * Flavio Galvão * Guilherme Yata * Guillermo Guzmán * Icaro Molinari * Jeferson Procopio * Jorge Azevedo * João Cerqueira * Laura Gurgel * Leonardo Gaitan * Marcelo Bella * Marcos Olmos * Mayra Motta * Michelle Soares Borelli * Neusa Andrade * Nima Kaz * Paulo Faria * Reinaldo Azevedo * Ricardo Oliani * Rodrigo Barbosa * Sandra Arango * Vanessa Abrahão