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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 Silicon Valley program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Silicon Valley's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Silicon Valley 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 Silicon Valley, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

Silicon Valley Events:

  • Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Rich Maloy: 5:00pm, Sep 08, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/376501
  • Zoom Meet & Greet with Silicon Valley Directors & Alumni: 2:00pm, Sep 12, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/378506
  • Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 10:00am, Sep 15, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/376037
  • How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 10:00am, Sep 17, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/373815
  • How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 10:00am, Sep 22, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/377399
  • Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 10:00am, Oct 06, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/377723
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 10:00am, Oct 27, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/377561

Global or Regional Events:

  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession

The Silicon Valley program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Aditya Kumar (Software Engineer, FAANG), Christina Marie Reddick (Founder, Racedu), Mercedes Bankston (Founder, Funderstar LTD), Preeti Tikekar (Founder/CEO, Membition), Sneha Lundia (Founder & CEO, Step2Growth), Sv Admin (X, X).

In addition, some of Silicon Valley'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 Silicon Valley Founder Institute includes:

* Aaron Patzer * Aki Ohashi * Alfred Poor * Anthony Duran * Aviv Shalgi * Chester Ng * Ciaran Byrne * Eleftheria (Ella) Egel * Gabe Zichermann * Janet Todorova * Jason Calacanis * Jessica Alter * Jill Stelfox * Jim Brenner * Jonathan Greechan * Jordan Jocius * Kamal Hassan * Kelly Fitzsimmons * Kristopher Francisco * Marcel Ionescu * Mike Lingle * Mike Suprovici * Nir Eyal * Olga Padulosi * Omar Valle * Patrick Lee * Paul Grimes * Sheikh Masud Iftekher * Veronica Kirin * Victor Chapela

  • And many more to be announced.

Join us in Silicon Valley to build a great company in 2024. 

Apply to the Silicon Valley Fall 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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