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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:

  • Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 2:00pm, ago 18, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374744
  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 2:00pm, ago 25, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/375567
  • Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Rich Maloy: 9:00pm, set 08, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/376637
  • Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 2:00pm, set 15, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/376056
  • How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 2:00pm, set 17, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/375173
  • How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 2:00pm, set 22, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/377558
  • Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 2:00pm, out 06, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/377743
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 2:00pm, out 27, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/377581

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 Direito Digital e Proteção de Dados, 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:

* Alberto Ferreira * Andrea Cerqueira * Andrea Monti * Bruno Okamoto * Cesar Thomé * Cintia Mano * Clovis Castelo Junior * Don Samoil * Eder Campos * Fabio Frazão * Felipe Dos Santos * Felipe Maruyama * Jeferson Procopio * João Cerqueira * Leo Gmeiner * Marcelo Bella * Marcio Mendes * Marco De Biasi * Marcos Olmos * Mariana Guarini * Odete Afonso Duarte * Paula Machado * Raquel Molina * Ricardo Oliani * Roberto Soria * Rodrigo Barbosa * Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo * Sergio Emanuel Cusmai * Vanessa Abrahão * Victor Lugli

  • And many more to be announced.

Join us in Brasil to build a great company in 2024. 

Apply to the Brasil Winter 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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