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.
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:
- Break the Idea Loop: Decide What to Build in the Age of AI: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/391559
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 1:00pm, set 28, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398587
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Founders of High-Growth Startups (Q&A + Networking): 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 Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 1:00pm, out 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/393362
- 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
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:
* Alexandre Uehara * Amanda Martins * Andrea Monti * Bruno Dequech Ceschin * Bruno Okamoto * Cintia Mano * Diego Simon * Eder Campos * Fabio Frazão * Felipe Brasileiro * Felipe Maruyama * Frank Rolim * Guilherme Yata * Guillermo Guzmán * Henrique Macedo * Laura Gurgel * Marcos Olmos * Mariana Velásquez * Matteo Santini * Monica Lobenschuss * Nima Kaz * Paula Machado * Paulo Faria * Rafael Sampaio * Reinaldo Azevedo * Renato Simon * Sergio Emanuel Cusmai * TATIANA YOSHIDA * Tijana Momirov * Vanessa Abrahão
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Brasil to build a great company in 2024.
Apply to the Brasil Summer 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
