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:

Mentoria Coletiva | Contratos Públicos de Solução Inovadora (CPSI) : 7:00pm, fev 24, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/388080

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Meet Early-Stage Founders looking for a Co-Founder (Online Networking Event): 3:00pm, fev 23, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/388208
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
What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 1:00pm, mar 09, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/387474
The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 2:00pm, mar 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/389290
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 9:30pm, mar 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/388459
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 9:00am, mar 16, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/387644
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 1:00pm, mar 17, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/388880
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 1:00pm, mar 19, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390000
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 1:00pm, mar 24, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/389088

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:

* Admar Neto * Alberto Ferreira * Amanda Martins * Ana Pires * Bruno Okamoto * Cintia Mano * Diego Simon * Don Samoil * Fabio Frazão * Guilherme Yata * Henrique Macedo * In Hsieh * Javier Caruso * João Cerqueira * Leo Gmeiner * Marcelo Vivacqua * Marcio Mendes * Marcos Olmos * Mariana Guarini * Matteo Santini * Mayra Motta * Neusa Andrade * Nima Kaz * Odete Afonso Duarte * Paulo Faria * Roberto Soria * Robson Del Fiol * Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo * TATIANA YOSHIDA * Victor Lugli