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:

Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza of Boardy (VIP Event): 12:00pm, mar 19, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390000
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How Aspiring Founders can Use AI to Test Ideas & Move Faster: 9:30pm, mar 23, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393888
[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
Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 1:00pm, mar 31, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/392596
From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 9:00pm, abr 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/392221
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 9:00pm, abr 07, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390151
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 9:00pm, abr 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393756
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 1:00pm, abr 14, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390780
From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 1:00pm, abr 27, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/392460
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 9:00pm, mai 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390352
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 1:00pm, jun 02, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390512
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 9:30pm, jun 08, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/388459
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 9:00pm, jun 15, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393239
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 9:00pm, jul 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/392844
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 1:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390650
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 9:30am, ago 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393362
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 1:00pm, ago 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391202
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 9:00pm, ago 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391279
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 1:00pm, set 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/392979
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391559
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 9:30pm, out 05, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/390926
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 (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 * Andrea Cerqueira * Bruno Dequech Ceschin * Claudio Gianturco Gulisano * Daniela Simão * Eder Campos * Felipe Brasileiro * Felipe Dos Santos * Guilherme Yata * Guillermo Guzmán * Henrique Macedo * In Hsieh * João Cerqueira * Leonardo Gaitan * Marcelo Bella * Marcio Mendes * Nima Kaz * Odete Afonso Duarte * Paulo Faria * Peixoto Accyoli * Rafael Campos * Rafael Sampaio * Raquel Molina * Reinaldo Azevedo * Ricardo Oliani * Robson Del Fiol * Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo * Rodrigo Oliveira * Sergio Escobar * TATIANA YOSHIDA