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:

FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 2:00pm, out 20, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/380647
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 2:00pm, out 27, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/377581
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 10:00pm, nov 10, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/378884
How to Unlock Your Region’s Entrepreneurial Potential for Economic Growth: 3:00pm, nov 12, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/379976
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Kirby Winfield: 3:00pm, nov 17, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/379360
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 3:00pm, nov 24, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/379492

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:

* Alexandre Uehara * Ana Pires * Andrea Monti * Clovis Castelo Junior * Erica Fridman Stul * Felipe Dos Santos * Felipe Maruyama * Frank Rolim * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Guilherme Yata * Guillermo Guzmán * In Hsieh * Jorge Azevedo * João Cerqueira * Leo Gmeiner * Marcelo Bella * Marcelo Vivacqua * Marco De Biasi * Marcos Olmos * Matteo Santini * Rafael Campos * Rafael Sampaio * Raquel Molina * Renato Simon * Ricardo Pinto Martins * Rodrigo Barbosa * Rodrigo Oliveira * Sandra Arango * TATIANA YOSHIDA * Victor Lugli