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:

Zoom Meet & Greet with Brasil Directors & Alumni: 6:00pm, jul 17, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/372840
FI Brasil Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies (In-Person): 5:00pm, ago 12, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/372839

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 2:00pm, jun 30, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/375192
Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 2:00pm, jul 02, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374287
Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 2:00pm, jul 03, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/375262
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 2:00pm, jul 07, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/375133
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 2:00pm, jul 09, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374306
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 2:00pm, jul 14, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374386
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 2:00pm, jul 16, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374325
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 2:00pm, jul 23, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374343
Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 2:00pm, jul 24, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/375902
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 2:00pm, ago 11, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374542
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 2:00pm, ago 18, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374744
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 2:00pm, ago 25, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/375567
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

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, Consultora Jurídica, ESG & Startups Advisor, 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 * Carlos Nogueira * Cesar Thomé * Cintia Mano * Claudio Gianturco Gulisano * Daniela Simão * Diego Simon * Erica Fridman Stul * Fabio Frazão * Felipe Dos Santos * Flavio Galvão * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Henrique Macedo * Jeferson Procopio * Jorge Azevedo * Laura Gurgel * Leo Gmeiner * Marco De Biasi * Mariana Velásquez * Monica Lobenschuss * Odete Afonso Duarte * Reinaldo Azevedo * Renato Simon * Ricardo Pinto Martins * Roberto Soria * Robson Del Fiol * TATIANA YOSHIDA * Victor Lugli