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 Miami 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Miami's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Miami 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 Miami, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 12:30pm, Jun 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398095
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 12:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390493
- How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job Featuring Adeo Ressi: 2:00pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/399274
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 8:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388433
- What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 12:00pm, Jun 09, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/396176
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 8:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393198
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 8:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392828
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 12:00pm, Jul 07, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391183
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390631
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393321
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 8:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391271
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 8:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/399780
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 12:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392938
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 12:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398329
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391550
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 8:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390907
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393451
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393068
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391412
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391025
The Miami program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Grace Spindel (Director, Founder Institute Miami), Ryan Martin (Director, Founder Institute Miami).
In addition, some of Miami'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 Miami Founder Institute includes:
- Aaron Chavez: Managing Partner, (un)conventional ventures
- Adam Garfield: Exited Founder & CEO, Stealth, SpeedETab
- Anna Ratala: 2x Founder & CEO, Zvook
- Anuj Maheshwari: Investor, Fuel Venture Capital
- Ayal Stern: Co-Founder, The LAB Miami
- Charles Masters Rodriguez: Co-Founder & CEO, Supply Veins
- Chris Anderson: General Partner, A2ZVenture.com
- David Chitester: Founder, SeedFunders
- Dean Hatton: Founding Partner, Las Olas VC
- Diana Fox: Co-Founder, Odyssey Gaming
- Elvia Perez: Investor, Las Olas Venture Capital (LOVC)
- Esteban Reyes: Founding Partner, Las Olas Venture Capital
- Ethan Werner: Principal, BlueLake VC
- Grace Spindel: Head of Product , EY & Director, Founder Institute Miami
- Hilmon Sorey: Co-Founder & Partner, The Source Groups
- Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
- Julia Lucidi: Founder, Fort Lauderdale Tech Meetup
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Justin Elliott: Anthropic Ambassador & CTO, WRTH
- Justis Mendez: Managing Partner, OneSixOne Ventures
- Ken Hall: Vice President, DeepWork Capital
- Kristen Corpion: Founder, CORPlaw
- Lauren Pencek: COO, Graphika
- Marcelo Ricigliano: CEO, 4Geeks Academy
- Mark Volchek: Founder, Las Olas Venture Capital
- Michael Assraf: CEO & Founder, Flamingo
- Michel Triana: General Partner, Mises Capital
- Mike Sherbakov: General Partner, The Veteran Fund
- Miriam Altman Reyes: Founding CEO & Managing Partner, Brass Ring Ventures
- Mitali Saxena: Founder & CEO, Fashom
- Nelson Telemaco: GP, Eden Capital
- Olivia Ramos: Founder & CEO, Deepblocks
- Peter Livingston: General Partner, Unpopular Ventures
- Ryan Martin: Director, Founder Institute Miami
- Ryan Pruitt: Managing Director, Ocean Azul Partners
- Sam Payrovi: Founder & CEO, ARKHAUS
- Satadru Sengupta: Co-Founder & CEO, Nimbus
- Sonja Markova: Executive Director, University of Miami Cane Angel Network
- Tahl Milburn: Investor, Seedfunders
- Tigre Wenrich: Managing Partner, LAB Ventures
- Timothy Cartwright: Chairman, Tamiami Angel Funds
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Miami to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Miami 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
