Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI Silicon Valley 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 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:

The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 9:00am, Jul 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/401484
Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 8:00am, Jul 09, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/401974
How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 9:00am, Jul 14, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/400524
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 9:00am, Jul 28, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/398182

Global or Regional Events:

Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 10:00am, Jul 09, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/402154
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 9:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395088
Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 9:00am, Aug 04, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395146
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 5:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395066
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 5:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395165
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 5:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/399740
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 9:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395201
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 9:00am, Sep 15, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/398281
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 5:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395213
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 5:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395238
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 9:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395275
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 9:00am, Nov 03, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395296
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 5:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395309
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 9:00am, Dec 01, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395343

See all upcoming events

The Silicon Valley program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Christina Marie Reddick (Founder, Racedu), Mercedes Bankston (Founder, Funderstar LTD), Preeti Tikekar (Founder/CEO, Membition).

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:

* Andrew Lee * Antoine Morin * Aviv Shalgi * Carter Laren * Chuck Gitkin * Daniel Steeves * DrWarren Linger * Eddie Hartman * Freddy Atangana * Ivaylo Ivanov * Ivelin Ivanov * Janet Todorova * Jay Jamison * Joe Bezdek * Kevin Siskar * Klaus Kammermeier * Marcel Ionescu * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Nitin Pachisia * Noah Wallach * Olga Padulosi * Omar Valle * Paul O'Brien * Priyanka Sanghvi * Randy Eager * Scott Painter * Sukan Makmuri * Tom Charman * Tony Scherba * Victor Chapela