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 Austin Spring 2025 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Austin's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Austin Spring 2025 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 Austin, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
Austin Events:
- FI Austin Fall 2024 Graduation Demo Day: 6:00pm, Dec 12, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/355158
- Founder Institute Texas Presents: The State of Texas VC 2025: 6:00pm, Jan 29, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/355152
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder : 12:00pm, Nov 04, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/357990
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, Nov 06, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/357997
- Startup Finance 101, with Grasshopper Bank: 12:00pm, Nov 13, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358797
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 7:00pm, Nov 14, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/357946
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 7:00pm, Nov 18, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358004
- What is Entrepreneur DNA? Insights from 15 Years of Social Science Research: 7:00pm, Nov 25, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358011
- How to Build a Product-Driven Go-to-Market Strategy : 12:00pm, Nov 26, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/359551
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Jacob Jackson: 12:00pm, Nov 27, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358018
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Dec 02, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358025
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 12:00pm, Dec 04, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358033
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Ilya A. Strebulaev from Stanford: 11:00am, Dec 05, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/359401
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Dec 09, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358040
- Enterprise Sales 101 for Startup Founders: Closing Big Deals: 12:00pm, Dec 11, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358419
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 12:00pm, Dec 16, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358047
- Founder Showcase: Startup Pitch & Networking Event: 12:00pm, Dec 18, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/358054
The Austin program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Admin Austin, Martín Martinez (Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas), Riley Knox (-, -), Shane Brechmann (Director, Founder Institute Austin).
In addition, some of Austin'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 Austin Founder Institute includes:
- Aaron Ali: CEO, Helix
- Aaron Chavez: Managing Partner, (un)conventional ventures
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Abe Chu: Co-founder & CMO, NextSeed
- Abhi Dobhal: Founder/ COO/CFO , Warehouse Republic
- Abhishek Kumbhat: Dr, SapidBlue Technologies
- Adam Weinroth: CMO & Advisor, Various Startups
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- Aeryn Cagle
- Aki Ohashi: Vice President, Evolution Ventures
- Albert Baez: President, Blended Sense
- Alexandru Bogdan: Co-CEO, Linnify
- Amanda Lettmann: CEO, COO & Co-Founder, Kardia Ventures/ SimpleDisability, Inc.
- Amanda Eakin, Sputnik ATX
- Amanda Patterson: CEO, RocketFuel Labs
- Amos Schwartzfarb: Managing Director, Techstars Austin
- Andrew Millet: Founder, Process Pro Consulting
- Andy Hart: Advisor, a Mana Project
- Anita Roberts, Silicon Hills Capital
- Anu Pansare: CEO, Volyx
- Arturo Piña: President, ProductCamp Austin
- Ashley Jennings: Managing Director , Texas Innovation Center - Technology Commercialization at UT Austin
- Ashley Connell: CEO & Founder, Prowess Project
- Becky Taylor: Interim Executive Director, Austin Technology Incubator
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Ben Chaib
- Bob Bridge: Founder and Executive Director, SWAN Impact Network
- Bora Laci: Assistant Director of Programs, SMU Tower
- Bre Cruickshank: Founder & CEO, Radical Girl Gang
- Brendan Kennedy: Co-President: Austin , Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs Texas
- Brett Beckett: Vice President - Finance & Strategy, Realogy - Independence Title
- Brian Hammer: Founder & CEO, Residual Media
- Brian Childress: Architect, Technical Advisor, Calendly
- Brian Sparkes: Head of Communications, Bay Angels
- Brianna Mc Kernon: Chief of Staff, Aspen Insights
- Candace Ohm: Founder, Canz.Art
- Candice Digby: Partnerships and Events Director, Vapor IO
- Cara McCarty: CEO, Betterleave
- Caroline Healey: Director , Antler
- Catalin Briciu: Co-Founder | Co-CEO, Linnify
- Chad Barrett: Business Performance Adviser, Insperity
- Charles Martin: Co-Founder , Flux Bucket
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Chris Palmisano: Investor, Sano Ventures, LLC
- Chris Turnley: Chief Revenue Officer
- Chris Smurthwaite: Founder, VC Insider
- Christiana Yebra: CEO, Vouch
- Corey Rose: Vice President, Global Technology & Innovation, Opportunity Austin
- Cs Freeland: Co-Founder, Texas Venture Association
- Dana Rygwelski: Founding Director, MassChallenge Texas
- Dana Marruffo: Principal, Buzz Public Relations, LLC
- Dana Abramovitz: Founding Team, SXSW
- Daniel Alvarez: Vice President, Disruptive Technology & Disruptive Commerce, JPMorgan Chase & Co
- Daniel Hernandez: Founder & CEO, Palaterra
- Daphne Bernicker: CEO, HumanAim
- Dave Heimnuck: CEO / Founder, Hidrent
- Dave Blake: Owner, Spirit Pieces
- David Kobierowski
- David Robinson Jr.: Founding Member, Blueprint Local
- David Franklin: Founder & CEO, knowRX
- David Gibson
- David Mandel: Managing Partner, Managing PartnerManaging Partner Emerging Ventures Fund
- David Valentino: Managing Director, Austin Venture Association
- David Hendrawirawan: Founder, Data Integrity First
- Dean Cruse: Principal, DC Marketing
- Dennis Dayman: Startup Advisor & Seed Investor, Bluewater International, LLC
- Dennis Menendez, Founder Institute Austin
- Diane Yoo: Managing Partner, Medingenii Capital
- Dianthe Skurko: Principal, GVC Partners
- Dr. Nikki Siso: Founder, The Conscious Collective
- Dustin Byington, Two12
- Ed Latson: CEO & President, Opportunity Austin
- Edward Madongorere: Co-Founder, CEO, Moon
- Emma Borochoff: Head of Marketing, 8fig
- Emmit Schultz: Founder & CEO, Savi, Inc.
- Eric Fishhaut: President, Gelber & Associates
- Eric Samdahl: CEO / Founder, GHSD Group
- Eric Salwan: Co-founder, Firefly Aerospace
- Erin Pitts: Founder / Creative Partner, The Label Collective
- Ezinne Udezue, WP Engine
- Fabian Geyrhalter: Founder and Principal, FINIEN
- Francesco Cassinerio: Mentor, Founder Institute Texas
- Frankie Arvelo: Startup Counsel, Arvelo PLLC
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Cofounder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
- Gabriel Rucker: Co-Founder & CEO, Founding Titans
- Garrett Dailey: Co-Founder; CEO, Lucid Consulting
- Gennadiy Goldenshteyn: Managing Partner, First Principles, LLC
- Ghazi Saddem: CEO, Ghazi Saddem Consulting
- Gray Mc Dowell: Certified Business Performance Advisor, Insperity
- Guc Ozenci: Tech-Entrepreneur | Mentor | Director | Investor, Founder Institute
- Guy Parker: Chief Strategy & Creative Officer, Ambient Way
- Harrison Wells: VC, Notley
- Haynes Dallas: CEO, Managed Facility Solutions (MFS),
- Hazel Chappell: CEO | Founder, ishca health Inc
- Heath Butler: Founder/Managing Partner, Gestalt Growth Advisors
- Heather Buffo: Venture Growth & Partnerships
- Heidi Leach: Vice President, Emerging Tech & Disruptive CommerceVice President, Emerging Tech & Disruptive Commerce, JP Morgan
- Horacio Rodriguez Rilo: Founder, Boop
- Howard Freidman: Managing Partner, Bluechip Jets
- Hugh Forrest: Chief Programming Officer, SXSW
- Ian Bidot, Jon Brumley Texas Venture Labs
- Ignacio Castro: Managing Partner, 128vc
- Ivelin Ivanov: Mentor, FI
- Jacqueline Hughes: Founder, Austin Startup Week
- Jaleh Daie, Ph.D: Chairman/Founder, AgFoodHealthSpan (AFH Vertical), Band of Angels
- James Phelan: Co-Founder, The Cannon
- Janice Omadeke: CEO, The Mentor Method
- Jasmin Brand: Founder / CEO, Her Texas
- Jasmin Brand: CEO and Founder, Her Texas
- Jason Taylor: Executive Director
- Jason Assir: Principal Consultant, Opex Digital Consulting
- Jason Scharf: Creator and Co-Host, Austin Next
- Jason Rigolli
- Jason Rigolli: Mahdlo, CRO
- Jason W. Taylor: President & Founder, CodeLaunch Accelerator
- Javier Arriagada: Founder & CEO, Straton Investments
- Javy Martinez: Managing Director | Startup Advisor | Event Host, Founder Institute North Texas
- Jeff Eversmann: Mentor, FI
- Jenaro Diaz: Founder & CIO, Minero
- Jodie Slater Hastings: Co-Founder , The Slate
- Joe Daniels: Partner, Co-Chair - Emerging Companies, Partner & Co-Chair, Emerging Companies Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
- Joe Beard: Founder / CEO, Advisor
- Joey Jones: Co-Founder/Chief Revenue & Compliance Officer, CurveBlock Ltd
- John Bianchi: CEO, The Omega Agency
- Jonathan Libby: Partner Development Manager, Tableau
- Jose Padilla
- Jose Angel Ortega: Investor, VC
- José Luis Silva Vázquez: Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Dux Capital
- Joseph Liu: Venture Partner, Wise Ocean
- Joyce Durst: CEO & Co-Founder , Acceleration Growth Partners
- Juan Thurman: Managing General Partner, SWAN Impact Fund
- Juan Martinez: Founder, HyveCity
- Judy Tsuei: Founder, Wild Hearted Words
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Justin Mc Kenzie: Vice President, Bandera Electric Cooperative
- Katie Russel: Executive Director, Central Texas Angel Network
- Kelly Caviglia: Director - Head of Startup Banking, Bridge Bank
- Ken Pomella: Business Coach & Consultant, Ken Pomella, LLC
- Kendall Gallagher: Head of Sales , Skaled
- Kennie Matthews: Chairman & CEO, M Infrastructure, Inc.
- Kevin Sharp: General Partner, WIV Ventures
- K.J. Royal: Founder, Join Sprints
- Kristie Whites: FOUNDER & CEO, Serving Social
- Kristy Alballero: Co-Founder & CFO, IOOGO
- Kwame Boler: Co-Founder & CEO, Spritz
- Kyle Wiggins, Assembly
- Laura Kamrath: CEO, Zebra Marketing Solutions
- Lauren Washington: Co-Founder, Black Women Talk Tech/Fundr
- Lauren Postler: Founder & Managing Partner, Solution Focused
- Levi McMellian: CEO | Founding Partner | Managing Director, CFO4Life
- Lily Turner: Manager, Global Investment & Innovation, Opportunity Austin
- Lito Rodriguez: Partner, DWX Par
- Liz Deering: Owner, Haven
- Logan Jennings: Managing Partner, Global Profit Advisors
- Lucas Chaya Del Pino: Entrepreneur - RE investor, CHL Rentals
- Malcolm Woods: Founder - Alumni, Meander Travel
- Mara Rada: CEO & Chief of Strategy, Feral (thinkferal.com)
- Marc Nathan: Senior Director of Market Development, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
- Marcos Rodriguez: Mentor Investor, Rodriguez Capital Holdings LLC
- Maria Pienaar: Principal, First Principles
- Mariana Muntean: Founder & CEO, Cinevva
- Mariano Gonzalez: Founder and General Partner, MGV Capital Group
- Mario Soave: Founder, CleverFi
- Marlon Montgomery: Director of Technology & Product , Globant / MediaTech.ventures
- Martín Martinez: Founding & Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas
- Maryna Burushkina: Founder, GrowthChannel
- Matt Brown: HEAD OF TECH & GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, Galaxy Venture Capital
- Mauricio Delgado: Co-founder and CPO, Nada
- Maxim Nazarov: Investment Director , FinSight VC
- Melisa Pinto-Rivera, MS: Founder, Creativa Impact Capital
- Melissa Unsell-Smith: Co-founder and President, https://rectifydata.com
- Mellie Price: Executive Director, Texas Venture Labs, University of Texas at Austin
- Mercedes Bankston: Founder, Funderstar LTD
- Miao Yan: Global Product Manager-Alternate Energy, Xylem
- Michael Morton: CEO, Morton Consulting Group
- Michelle Witt: Principal, Propelled Marketing
- Mike Breck: Principal, Acuity Thinking
- Mike Solow: Partner
- Molly Walsh: Director, Founder Institute, Miami Florida
- Muhammad Hamza Altaf, Soop.io
- Najiba Wajiha Mahboob: CEO, Toureela
- Nakevia Miller: Founder, Nakevia Designs
- Narek Gevorgyan
- Natasha Gorodetsky: Founder&Head of Product, Product Pursuits
- Nathan Ryan: CEO and Co-Founder, Blue Sky Partners
- Navin Jagannath: Principal, KRP Consulting
- Neha Sampat: Founder, CEO, Contentstack
- Nelly Yusupova: Founder, TechSpeak.co
- Nelly Yusupova: Founder, TechSpeak.co
- Nick Hahn: President & Founder, Creative Liberation
- Nikola Korac: CEO, Downstream IT Solutions
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Oji Udezue, Typeform
- Oleg Lysiak: Partner Success Manager, Honeycomb Software
- Omar Zaki: Founder, Qima Ventures
- Pablo Vidal Arean: CMO, VC Lab
- Paola Origel: Co-Founder & Managing Partner, ChainLink Capital
- Paul O'Brien: CEO, MediaTech Ventures
- Pavan Kumar: Founder, 3pmVentures
- Peter Busch, Meet Jane
- Prerna Sharma: Associate Partner , Antler
- Q Manning: Head of Design, SmartAC.com
- Rafael Kartaszynski: CEO, TechEdge Developers
- Rahul Agarwal: Principal Technical Product Manager, Hasura
- Rajesh Gopi, TWO12
- Ram Prasad: Fractional CPO/CTO, Delence
- Richard Delgado: Partner, ERA Capital Partners
- Riley Knox: Founder, Accelerate3D
- Robert Balderas: Founder & CEO, Bob's Containers
- Rogelio De los Santos: Cofounder and Managing Partner, Dalus Capital & FI Monterrey
- Roger Heaston: President & CEO, Refinition
- Roland Peña: SVP Global Tech & Innovation, Opportunity Austin
- Saima Siddiqui: Director of Product Management, Joyride.com
- Sally Aiello: Business Development, Walmart
- Samuel Riehn: Chief Executive Officer, SBIR Advisors Inc.
- Sara Davidson: Managing Partner, Undeniable Ventures
- Scott G. Cornelius: VP, Refinition
- Sean Bauld: Founder & Chief Experiment Officer, spxk
- Sean Voigt: Founder & Managing Director, Mount Koya Capital & Advisors
- Sebastien Long: Founder & CEO, Lodgeur
- Shane Brechmann: Founder & CEO, Topmost Ventures
- Shelby Stephens: Founder & CEO, GrowthMatch
- Shlomi Podgaetz: Director/CEO, Rizasmart Consulting
- Shree Moorthy: Senior Vice President, Vertex Software
- Sloan Foster: Principal , Envisage Associates
- Sneha Lundia Agrawal: Founder & CEO, Step2Growth
- Sophia Clark: Founder & Creative Director, Galiatea
- Stefan Brunner: Angel Investor , CTAN
- Stephanie Lopez: Vice President, JPMorgan Chase & Co
- Stephanie Mc Kee Zielinski: Host & Producer, INSIDE.COM
- Sterling Smith: CEO, Sandbox Commerce
- Steve Jennis: Founder and CEO, Jennis Consulting Group
- Tarun Gulati: Founder & CEO, Adios
- Taylor Johnson: Partner, Performance Coach, The Liminal Collective
- Thom Singer: CEO, Austin Technology Council
- Tiana Laurence: GP, Laurence Innovation
- Tim De Silva: Founder & CEO, Culture Pilot
- Tony Banning: Chairman, Smash
- Trey Ikard, WIV Ventures
- Ty Audronis: Founder/ ceo, Tempest Droneworx
- Ty Audronis: CEO, Tempest Droneworx
- Tyler Durman: CEO & Founder, Ignition Growth Consulting
- Ugochi Owo: CEO, Flindel
- Unnat Bak: CEO, Revscale
- Valentina Gomez: CX-UX-UI Designer, Yonderinteractive
- Valliappan Narayanan: Director of Engineering, AT&T
- Vidhi Data, She Raises Capital
- Vivek Dixit: Managing Partner , 369 Growth Partners
- Wesley Grottesman: Partner, Brand Foundry Ventures
- William Douglas: CEO, OpticWise
- Wogbe Ofori: Founder, Wrx Companies
- Yagub Rahimov: Founder, Polygraf AI
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- Yj Lin: Senior Program Manager, Dell
- YJ Lin: Program Manager, Dell for Entrepreneurs
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Austin to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Austin Spring 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.