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.
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:
- Venture Trailblazers featuring Charles Hudson: 8:00am, Oct 01, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/405265
- How AI Changed Founder Institute, and What It Means for Mentors: 12:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/406366
- How AI Changed Founder Institute, and What It Means for Mentors: 3:00am, Oct 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/406326
- FI Silicon Valley AI Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies: 9:00am, Oct 08, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/405291
- U.S. Visas & Immigration 101 for Startup Founders : 9:00am, Oct 12, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/405316
- How to Use AI to Position Your Startup to Buyers: 9:00am, Oct 20, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/405381
- IP for AI Startups: How Founders Can Create a Defensible Moat: 5:30pm, Oct 26, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/405383
Global or Regional Events:
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Founders of High-Growth Startups (Q&A + Networking): 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/405855
- 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
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:
* Abdellah Aouf * Alex M. Dascalu * Amit Bhanot * Aviv Shalgi * Brian Proffitt * Caroline Arzoo * Chris Foltz * Christina Reddick * Ciaran Byrne * Eravi Gopan * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Ignacio Castro * Ivelin Ivanov * Jennifer Love * Jonathan Zaremski * Judith Sanon * Kathryn Vatt * Kevin Siskar * Mellissa Lezama * Noah Wallach * Olga Padulosi * Rajesh Setty * Rich Maloy * Russell Brand * Scott Ford * Scout Tweedie Yates * Sush Bapna * Tyler Durman * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Warren Linger
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Silicon Valley to build a great company in 2024.
Apply to the Silicon Valley Fall 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
