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:

How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 9:00am, Aug 11, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/403145
How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 9:00am, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/403146
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 9:00am, Sep 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/398182
How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 5:30pm, Sep 14, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/403147

Global or Regional Events:

FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 5:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/399740
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 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
Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 9:00am, Oct 06, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395146
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:

* Aleksandar Bradic * Alex M. Dascalu * Alexander Garcia Tobar * Andrew Lee * Brian M Pasalich * Connie Kwan * Fabian Geyrhalter * Fion Lee Madan * Gabe Zichermann * Guillermo Guzman * Hanny Sunarto * Ignacio Castro * Javier Caruso * Jeni Chang * Jonathan Benassaya * Jonathan Greechan * Juan Lacey * Lance Cottrell * Marcel Ionescu * Mike Sherbakov * Neil Shah * Newton Paskin * Pat LaPointe * Paul O'Brien * Randy Eager * Steven Frisch * Tony Scherba * Torrey Smith * Tyler Durman * Victor Chapela