Build a Great Startup in 2025 with the FI Louisiana 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 Louisiana Spring 2026 program!

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

How to Find and Reach Out to Startup Investors: 11:00am, Jun 17, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374999
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 12:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372782
Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 12:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372789
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 7:00pm, Jun 26, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373868
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372795
Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 12:00pm, Jul 02, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373227
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/372820
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 12:00pm, Jul 09, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373359
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 12:00pm, Jul 14, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374449
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 12:00pm, Jul 16, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373490
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 12:00pm, Jul 23, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/373615
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 12:00pm, Aug 11, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374604
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Aug 18, 2025 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/374807

See all upcoming events

The Louisiana program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Heidi Fitzgerald ( Graphic Web Designer, Thecla Systems, LLC), Rick Mekdessie (Founder, Crowd9 Agency).

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

Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
Anna DeTiege: Director of Innovation Capital, Louisiana Economic Development
Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
Bill Ellison: CEO, Innovation Catalyst
Brian Mora: Partner, Pedelahore & Co.
Camille Terk: Founder, Terk Consulting
Chris Meaux: Founder & CEO, QiMana
Christopher (Chris) Reade: President , LookFar Ventures
Craig Gehring: Founder & CEO, MasteryPrep
Davorio Stevenson: Executive Venture Partner, Boot64 Ventures
Ezra Hodge: Sr. Managing Partner, EMA Partners
Faysal Tay: Partner, The Bookkeeper
Heidi Fitzgerald: Social Media Manager, FI Louisiana
Hiba Tay: Partner, The Bookkeeper
Hutch McClendon: Director, Louisiana Economic Development
James Guenther: CSO, Mariposa Technology
Jeanne Foley David: Founder & Former CEO, Outer Aisle Gourmet
Jeff O'Hara: Founder, 350 Investments
John Roberts: Managing Partner, Boot64 Ventures
Mickal Adler: Attorney/Partner, Blue Williams
Mohammed Kashif: Senior Quality Assurance Automation Engineer, Department of Motor Vehicles
Rafael Kartaszynski: CEO, TechEdge Dynamics
Rick Mekdessie: Chapter Leader, Founder Institute - Louisiana Chapter
Ryan Micheletti: Head of Global Operations, Founder Institute
Stephen Scullin: Partner, Carver Darden
Todd Lowery
Tom Martin, Converse Digital
Vance Adams: Business Development, Delta Administrative Services