Build a Great Startup in 2025 with the FI Jamaica 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 Jamaica - Caribbean Spring 2026 program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Jamaica's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Jamaica - Caribbean Spring 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 Jamaica, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 7:00am, Mar 16, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/387563
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 11:00am, Mar 17, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/388781
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza of Boardy (VIP Event): 10:00am, Mar 19, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/389897
How to start a global startup in the Caribbean: 5:00pm, Mar 19, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392088
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 7:30pm, Mar 23, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/388400
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 11:00am, Mar 24, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/388989
Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 11:00am, Mar 31, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392505
From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 7:00pm, Apr 06, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392170
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 7:00pm, Apr 07, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390107
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 7:00pm, Apr 13, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/389421
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 11:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390684
From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 11:00am, Apr 27, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392369
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 7:00pm, May 18, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390257
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 11:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390416
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 7:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393145
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 7:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392798
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 11:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390554
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 7:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393268
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 11:00am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391106
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 7:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391235
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 11:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392885
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 7:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391513
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 7:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390830
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 11:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393398
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393025
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391381
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390966

See all upcoming events

The Jamaica program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Caribbean Associate (NA, NA), Micaela DiJulio (Program Manager, Founder Institute Caribbean), Rawle Annandsingh (Director, Founder Institute Caribbean).

In addition, some of Jamaica'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 Jamaica Founder Institute includes:

Adanna John: Associate, Founder Institute Caribbean
Akshansh Deva: UX/UI Design Consultant, Independent
Alejandra Luzardo: CEO , Boomful
Ali Jamal: GP, First Check Ventures
Al Karim Rehemtula: Advisor, Business Development & Strategy, Independent
Althea West Myers: Founder & Chief Strategist, Growth Partners Ltd.
Amit Grinvald: Strategic Communication Expert, Public Speaking Coach, Community Builder & Experience Architect, Amit Grinvald Consulting
Arvo Hartikainen: Director, Impact47
Astrid Chedid: Regional Director for LAC and Spain, Annual Investment Meeting
Ben Camara: Founder & CEO, KLIQ
Bogdan Stanciu: Principal, Startup IQ
Cairo Arévalo: Innovation & Special Projects, Promipyme
Charles Kirkconnell: CEO, Cayman Enterprise City
Charu Sharma: Founder I Angel Squad Member I Early-stage Startup Consultant, Riceberg Ventures I KickSky Space Lab
Chloé Lozac’h: Venture Capital Investor, VU Venture Partners
Christian Flemming: Managing Director, Mustang Engineering
Clement Johnson: Head of Growth, SixBerries
Dareem Jeffrey: Founder & CEO, EcoWash
Diana Bernal 娜娜: Board Member, HubTropolis
Donnie Bachan: Founder, SixBerries
Dr. Aakanksha Shah: Venture Resident, Heinz Ventures
Dr. Prapthi Bathini: Clinical Pharmacologist, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research
Dr. Yaniv Proselkov: Co-founder, Venture Scholar Studio
Gabriela Corbera: Co-Founder & CEO, Luna Maps
Gauri Deoras: Angel Squad Member, Hustle Fund
Gregory Robinson: CEO, Native Films
Inalcan Gulec: Senior Investment Associate, Eksim Ventures
Jane (Evgeniya) Kubryak: Founder, Discover with Jane
Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
Jason Butcher: Founder & CEO, Orbit Capital
Javier Grevely: Head of Strategy, Stealth
Jeffrey Faustin: Managing Partner, Jenson Ventures
JM HOLDER: Mr., ClearTrail
John Outridge: CEO, The National Payment & Innovation Company of Trinidad & Tobago
Johnathan Franklyn: Chief Investment Officer, Njord Investments Ltd
John Manuel Rodriguez Cotua: Director, Meraki Business Academy
Jorge Díaz: Founder & CEO, Domäne Capital
Jose Aguilar: Consultant/Telecom Economist, Independent Consultant
Joshua Errett: CEO, Friends & Family Pet Food Company
Jule Goike: Director of Research and Development, Nephrodite
Keith Chong: CEO, Syndesia Pte Ltd
Kendell Harry: Strategic Business and Marketing Specialist, The Big Potato Podcast
Keron Lewis: Managing Director, Code Canvas Consultants Ltd.
Kurtis Rudd: CEO, KReative Branding Solutions
Kyle Maloney: Co-Founder & Director, Tech Beach Retreat
Larry Namer: Chairman , LJN Media
Leane Rogers: Entrepreneur-in-Residence , Founder Institute Caribbean
Lissette Anez: Founder, Sparktoria Tech
Luis Florez: Founder & Managing Partner, Epic Partners
Manish Balakrishnan: Chief Thinking Officer, DSHG Sonic
Marcela Sabino: Venture Partner, Maxnx
Marco Van Der Woude: Co-Founder & Head of Business Development, Breeze
Micaela Di Julio: Program Manager
Michael Queralt, Start Up - IQ
Michael Jordan Pilgreen: Venture Partner, Maximus
Natacha Ralainirina: Clinical Scientist, US San Diego
Natasha Abdool: General Manager, Security Services Ltd.
Neil Sumaru: Founder, Levuka Venture Lab
Nita Penn: Researcher + Strategist, NAY Consulting Group LLC
Omotoyosi Saint Cyr: Senior Manager, Commonwealth Corporation
Pablo Sandoval: CEO, Kitmart Solutions
Ragav Yarasi: Founder & CEO, Clikkin
Rawle Annandsingh: Director, Founder Institute Caribbean
Rishika Agarwal: Founder, BioMed Sapience
Robert Urbina: Director, Tarjetas y Transacciones en Red TRANRED, C.A.
Robert Paty: Retired Executive, Nestle
Robert Scarlett: CEO/Advisor, Hunter Scarlett Consulting
Ronald Carter: Investor & Entrepreneur, Independent
Ryan Micheletti: Head of Global Operations, Founder Institute
Samantha Best: Founder, Voyant Media Solutions Limited
Sasha Sternik: Independent Advisor , SAS Consulting
Scarlett Arana: Co-Founder, BitBasel
Scott Spiegel: Founder & CEO, BitBasel
Shaaf Farooq: Program Manager, Clinic Innovation Hub | Venture Builder
Shauna Smith: CEO, The Marketing Muse 360
Shedron Collins: Chief Executive Officer, Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago
Sherine Mungal: Co-Founder & Managing Director, Eidetic
Stephan Morris: Founder & CEO, Digital Star Network
Stephen Michael: Founder, Propel Earth
Stuart Fraser: Co-Founder & Creative Director, Eidetic
Stuart Fortuné: Author / Consultant / Regional Business Development Manager / Podcaster, From Ibadan To Hell Yard / PYZE / The Big Potato Podcast
Sursatee Benny-Ali: Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Founder Institute Caribbean
Tabitha Eliza Sophia: CEO, Aleonz Consultancy Sdn Bhd
Tor Massoni Norheim: COO/Consultant , Luna Maps
Wayne Beecher: Co-Director Jamaica, Founder Institute
Yu Wen Chen: Director, Product & Strategy, Amyris
Zahra Henry: Founder and CEO, ZLH Careers