Build a Great Startup in 2025 with the FI South Carolina 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 South Carolina 2025 program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from South Carolina's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the South Carolina 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.

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 South Carolina, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

South Carolina Events:

Meet the South Carolina Startup Ecosystem w/ SCRA, SC Competes & More: 6:00pm, Jan 21, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/361767

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Build, Fundraise, and Exit Your Startup: AMA with Tim Grassin: 5:00am, Jan 15, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/363347
What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 8:00pm, Jan 22, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/361848
How to Align Your Brand Messaging with Your Startup Mission: 1:00pm, Jan 27, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/363053
FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 1:00pm, Jan 29, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/363536
Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Trasition to Startup Founder : 8:00pm, Feb 03, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/363672
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Feb 05, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/363887
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Feb 10, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364064
Investor Valuation Basics: How to Assess Your Startup’s Worth with Neil Shah: 8:00pm, Feb 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364448
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Feb 26, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/365075
Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 1:00pm, Feb 27, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364329
Co-Founder Networking: Sales and Marketing Partner Matchmaking: 1:00pm, Mar 12, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364772
What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 1:00pm, Mar 19, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364937
Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 8:00pm, Mar 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/365263

See all upcoming events

The South Carolina program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Angela Coxe (Beaufort Digital Corridor), Jess OBrien (Beaufort Digital Corridor Foundation), Rich Conte.

In addition, some of South Carolina'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 South Carolina Founder Institute includes:

Angela Coxe: Program Manager, Beaufort Digital Corridor
Chris Heivly: Managing Director, Build The Fort
Chuck Hannon: Startup Mentor, Don Ryan Center for Innovation
Ed Jopeck: President, Next Third Ventures
Eric Siano: Managing Director, Fractional CMO, Blue Leopard LLC
Eric Thome: Director, Venture South
Gary Baldwin: Co-Founder, Medical Access Partners
Jamie Dement: Director of Technology & Cybersecurity Initiatives, SC Competes
Jamie Fleming: Founder, 1212 Design
Jason Loia: Chief Growth Officer, Webscale Networks
Jess O'brien: Executive Director, Beaufort Digital Corridor
Jim Stritzinger: CEO, Revolution D, Inc
Joe Floyd: Co-Founder & CEO, Swaggy
Katherine Butkevich: Founder | CEO, Realign Advisors
Lee Macilwinen: Director, SC Launch, SCRA
Matt D'angelo: Client Services Partner, IFS North America
Raquel Padgett: Executive Director, EforAll Lowcountry
Rick Case: Founder, CaseFactor
Serephina Ha: Managing Director, Founder Institute - Los Angeles
Shane Snipes: Founder, Citizen Entrepreneur Explorers Program (CEEP)
Tim Johnson: Co-Founder, CEO, Longship Legal, LLC