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 South Africa 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from South Africa's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the South Africa 2026 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 South Africa, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 7:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/372814
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 7:00pm, Jun 04, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/372808
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 2:00am, Jun 10, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/372799
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 7:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/372784
- Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 7:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/372790
- How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 2:00am, Jun 27, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/373917
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 7:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/372796
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 7:00pm, Jul 02, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/373272
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/372821
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 7:00pm, Jul 09, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/373403
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 7:00pm, Jul 16, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/373529
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 7:00pm, Jul 23, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/373662
The South Africa program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Deepti Jeram (Co-Founder, Boardroom In A Box), FI SA (XX, NA), John Zabula (Founder, Revisall), Keshni Morar (Managing Director, Founder Institute South Africa + Investable), Lily Makaleng (Director, The Founder Institute South Africa), Victoria Odimba (Founder/CEO, C Insights Africa).
In addition, some of South Africa'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 South Africa Founder Institute includes:
- Abdulkadir Suleiman: CEO & Founder, TESPIRE LLC
- Abu Bakr Cassim: Founder, Jozi Angels
- Akua Nyame Mensah: Certified Executive & Leadership Coach, A.N.M & Company
- Alan Fok: Growth Partner & Leadership Coach, The Forward Coach
- Andre De Wet: CEO, 2ndBase Inc
- Andrew Marsh
- Annu Augustine: Founder, NedRock
- Anthony Stonefield: Chief Innovation Officer, AIDA Advisory Services
- Arcui Usoara: Founder/CEO, Iaculus
- Ayodeji Agboola: Founder, Akowe
- Ayodeji Agboola: CEO, Akowe
- Bade Aluko: Managing Partner, White Hibiscus Capital
- Bentzy Goldman: Founder, Perflo
- Berg Moe: Chairman, Gründervekst AS
- Bertha Kgokong: Founder & CEO, Tati Software
- Bhairav Patel: Managing Director, Atom CTO
- Brenda Wangari: Head of Portfolio Success, Madica
- Brian O. Sing'ora: Brian Obwora Sing'ora, Origee-Nation Ventures
- Charlotte Luzuka: Co-Founder & Investor, Dazzle Angels
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Responsible Solutions Ltd
- Cleo Johnson: Strategist, Marketing Maven
- Dali Lakhoua: VC Investment Officer, AfricInvest group
- Dana Ohana: CEO and Co-Founder, Big Consulting
- Deepti Jeram: Co-Founder & CMO, Boardroom In A Box
- Deon Katz: CEO & co-Founder , Graphite Growth
- Devin Butler: Co-founder & CEO, Metaship
- Didier Vermeiren: Founder, Rialto
- Dimitri Anagnostopoulos: Partner, True North Partners
- Donald Vutlharhi Valoyi: Founder, Zulzi
- Dr. Krishnan Ranganath: Regional Executive - West Africa , Africa Data Centres
- Dr. Ope Banwo: Attorney/Techfounder, Mobisoft360 Inc.
- Eitan Stern: Director & Lawyer, Legalese
- Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
- Florent Nduwayezu: Mr. , BESTSELLER FOUNDATION
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Cofounder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
- Freddy Atangana: Founder & CEO, EKAMOU
- Gareth Bleazard: CEO and Founder, Great North Road
- Gbite Oduneye: Founder and Managing Partner, ODBA
- Giovanni Focaraccio: Product Manager, Potenza
- Greg Serandos: Founder & CEO, African Academy of Artificial Intelligence
- Guillermo Guzman: Local Leader, Founder Institute Colombia
- Idowu Akinde: Managing Director, Impact Hub Lagos
- Jabulani Zwane: Founder & CEO, Mindset Development Institute
- Jaco De Wet: Independent Consultant, Independent Consultant
- Jatin Kataria: Founder & MD, InMeSta + JK Venture Studio
- Jerry Oche: Founder/CEO, Zowasel
- Johann Ungerer: Director, 1099 Ventures, Digital Puppetry, LetsJam, WIP
- John Zabula: Founder, Revisall
- Kamal Hassan: Founding Partner, Loyal VC
- Katie Mapondera: Founder and Managing Partner, Q L and D LLC
- Kayimbi Ruben Mpanya: Strategic Projects Associate, Innovation Edge
- Kendrall Felder: Co-Founder & CEO, Cyber Alliance
- Keshni Morar: Managing Director, Founder Institute South Africa + Investable
- Kevin Chetty: Founder CEO, Macrocomm Financial Services / Xtenda Housing Finance
- Kopano Mere: Market Activation Lead, SmartWage
- Kyle Torrington: Co-Founder , Legal Legends
- Larry Yon, Ii: Co-Founder & President, Cyber Alliance
- Leonardo Okpeh: Founder & CEO, Smartblocks
- Lily Makaleng: Director, Founder Institute South Africa + Founder@WanderfullySo
- Lundi Njomane: Director, Jozi Angels
- Marco Broccardo: CEO , Eurocom
- Mark Kleyner: Co-Founder, Dream VC
- Mark Fritz: Managing Director, Procedor
- Mauricio Cardoso: Corporate Venture Manager, O POVO Communication Group
- Maushami Chetty: Founder and CEO, Aarya Legal & GDPR Bridge
- Michael O'donnell: Principal, StartupBiz.com LLC
- Michael Smith: Managing Director, Hillsdon Consulting Inc.
- Nevo Hadas: Director, & innovation
- Nicolas Ochmann: Director, Head of Solutions EMEA, Whatfix
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Olivier Chas: Entrepreneur, Effective Marketing
- Omar Layachi: Local Leader, Founder Institute Morocco
- Omotayo Babatunde: Co-Founder & CEO, RewardHub
- Pambos Soteriades: Founder & CEO, PiSigma Consulting
- PASCHAL OFFORDUM: Associate , Shujaa Capital
- Patricia Rinke: Investment Manager, AfricInvest Group
- Paul Smith: Founder & CEO, Civitas
- Pommie Lutchman: Digital Executive (CIO/CTO/CDO) and Startup Mentor, PommieLutchman.com
- Preshan Govinder: Manager: Sales and Business Development, JSE
- Riccardo Petrantoni: Managing Director, Range Ventures
- Roheeni Bhana: Founder, Healthtech Launchpad
- Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
- Sabeeha Banubhai: Founder and Experience Director, Jack Studios
- Sabrina Dorman: Co-Founder, ZUMI
- Salmine Sassi: Entrepreneur in Residence, Seedstars
- Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
- Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
- Sanjay Soni: Chief Visionary & Venture Architect, Jozi Angels
- Sanjay Bhana: Strategist, Thought leader, Reflective coach/mentor, Sanjay Bhana
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Sheriff Olujide: Managing Partner, SOCS GokSon Capital (SGC) Ventures
- Sienna Leis: Managing Director, Cova Experience Design
- Simon Turner: Founding Partner, Groundbreaking, Managing Director, FI Ghana
- Sola Adekanye: Founder, Open Innovation Access
- S'onqoba Vuba: Co-Founder and MD, Perpetu8
- STEPHAN WESSELS: CTO, Simply Financial Services
- Suhail Nakooda: Visa, Director: Business Development
- Tamzin Lovell: Founder & CEO, Artfundi
- Tarek Chelaifa: Senior Manager, GSMA
- Telma Le Guen: Founder & CEO, The Workrate
- Thaheer Mullins: Director & Partner, Savant
- Thembalethu Shangase: Head of Programmes, Naspers Labs
- Torrey Smith: Co-Founder & CEO, Endiatx
- Tracey Chas: Advisor, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
- Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
- Tyrone Moodley: Venture Associate, HAVAÍC
- Victoria Odimba: Founder, C Insights Africa
- Viola Llewellyn: Founder & CEO, The Tulle Box
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- Vwanganji Bowa: Founder/CEO, Mighty Fin
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- Zolani Matebese: Chairman, Sendoff.app
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in South Africa to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the South Africa 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
