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:

[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 9:00am, Jun 30, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/398182

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 9:00am, May 26, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395380
How to Start a Unicorn as a Solo Founder, with Adeo Ressi: 11:00am, May 26, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/399108
Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 9:30am, Jun 01, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/398048
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 9:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/394986
How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job Featuring Adeo Ressi: 11:00am, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/399229
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 5:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/394653
What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 9:00am, Jun 09, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/396149
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 5:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395029
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 5:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395066
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 9:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395088
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 9:00am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/395146
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:

* Aurelie Guerrieri * Brian Proffitt * Chester Ng * Chris Foltz * Christina Trampota * Cory Hewett * Daniel Steeves * Diraj Goel * Dustin Betz * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Fred Joyal * Hanny Sunarto * Ivaylo Ivanov * Ivelin Ivanov * Jill Stelfox * Joanna Riley * Joe Bezdek * Jonathan Greechan * Laura Bryce * Leila Banijamali * Marco De Biasi * Mike Sherbakov * Neil Gehani * Pete Biggam * Phani Nagarjuna * Phnam Bagley * Scott Ford * Suhas Ghante * Tom Charman * Vladimir Pletyukhin