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:

Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 2:00pm, jul 02, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/374287
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
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
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

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:

* Admar Neto * Alexandre Uehara * Ana Pires * Andre Almeida * Andrea Monti * Carlos Nogueira * Cesar Thomé * Daniela Simão * Erica Fridman Stul * Fabio Frazão * Felipe Dos Santos * Guilherme Yata * Guillermo Guzmán * Henrique Macedo * In Hsieh * Laura Gurgel * Leonardo Gaitan * Marcelo Bella * Marco De Biasi * Marcos Olmos * Mariana Velásquez * Monica Lobenschuss * Peixoto Accyoli * Reinaldo Azevedo * Ricardo Oliani * Ricardo Pinto Martins * Robson Del Fiol * Rodrigo Oliveira * Tijana Momirov * Victor Lugli