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 Fall 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 Fall 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.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Louisiana, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 7:00pm, Apr 06, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392143
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 7:30pm, Apr 07, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390094
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 7:00pm, Apr 13, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/389409
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 11:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390667
- How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 11:30am, Apr 20, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/395682
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 11:00am, Apr 21, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/395511
- Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 11:00am, Apr 27, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392349
- How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 11:00am, Apr 28, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393956
- How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 11:30am, May 04, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/394461
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 7:00pm, May 18, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390240
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 11:00am, May 26, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/395367
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 11:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390399
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 7:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/388385
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 7:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393125
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 7:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392774
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 11:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390537
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 7:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393248
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 11:00am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391089
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 7:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391222
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 11:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/392865
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 7:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391501
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 7:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390813
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 11:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393378
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 11:00am, Nov 03, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/393003
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 7:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/391362
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 11:00am, Dec 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/390952
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
- Faysal Tay: Partner, The Bookkeeper
- Heidi Fitzgerald: Social Media Manager, FI Louisiana
- Hiba Tay: Partner, The Bookkeeper
- 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
- Vance Adams: Business Development, Delta Administrative Services
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Louisiana to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Louisiana Fall 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
