The Founder Institute, the world's most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Brasil program. If you need a structured process and lifetime support from Brasil's top investors and entrepreneurs to build your startup, now is the time to apply.
Why Join the Founder Institute in 2026
Since 2009, our 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. The difference is simple: we work with founders before they have everything figured out.
Most accelerators require traction, a team, and revenue before they will even review your application. The Founder Institute was built for the founder who has an idea, ambition, and the willingness to execute but needs structure and mentorship to reach the next level.
What You Get with FI Core
The program starts with FI Core, our renowned pre-seed startup accelerator. FI Core pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. You will work through a highly-structured curriculum designed to help you validate your idea, build your first product, and attract your first customers.
But the support does not stop when the program ends.
Alumni of FI Core receive free access to our advanced Founder Lab accelerators for years to come. You also get matched with prospective investors in the FI Venture Network, a collection of global funds actively investing in the earliest rounds of funding. This is not a one-time program. This is a lifetime of resources.
Learn from Brasil's Top Startup Leaders
The Brasil program is led by some of the region's most accomplished startup leaders. These are founders and investors who have built companies, raised capital, and navigated the exact challenges you are about to face. They know what works in Brasil, and they know how to help you succeed.
Beyond the local leadership team, you gain access to the global Founder Institute network. That means mentorship sessions with entrepreneurs who have scaled businesses across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and North America. You get the local expertise you need with the global perspective that helps you compete anywhere.
A Curriculum Built on 15 Years of Data
The Founder Institute curriculum is not based on theory. It is built on 15 years of data from thousands of startup launches across 200 cities. Every assignment, every feedback session, and every milestone has been tested and refined to maximize your chance of success.
You will move through four core phases:
- Ideation: Validate your idea and identify your target customer
- Planning: Build a business model that investors understand
- Launch: Create your first product and start testing with real users
- Traction: Drive growth and prepare for your first funding round
Each phase includes weekly assignments, feedback from mentors, and peer collaboration with other founders in your cohort. You will know exactly what to do next, and you will have the accountability to make it happen.
Join a Network of 7,000+ Portfolio Companies
When you join the Founder Institute, you join a portfolio of more than 7,000 companies that have collectively raised over $2 billion in funding. These companies span every industry, every business model, and every stage of growth. Some are still pre-revenue. Others have reached unicorn status.
What they share is a common foundation: the structure, mentorship, and network they gained through the Founder Institute. That foundation does not expire. Once you are an FI founder, you have access to the network for life.
How to Apply for the 2026 Brasil Program
Applications are open now for the 2026 Brasil cohort. The application process is straightforward. You will answer questions about your idea, your goals, and your readiness to commit to the program. There is no pitch deck required. No traction required. Just clarity about what you want to build and why.
The program begins soon, and spots fill quickly. If you are serious about turning your idea into a fundable startup in 2026, apply now.
You can also attend an upcoming event to meet the Brasil leadership team, hear from past founders, and learn more about what the program includes. These events are free and open to anyone exploring the Founder Institute.
Most founders who complete the program say the same thing: they wish they had started sooner. The longer you wait, the more time you spend guessing. The Founder Institute gives you a clear path forward, and that clarity is worth more than any single idea.
If you are ready to stop planning and start building, apply to the 2026 Brasil program today.
