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 Cyprus 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Cyprus's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Cyprus 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 Cyprus, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 6:00pm, Mar 09, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/387440
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 7:00pm, Mar 10, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/389259
- From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 2:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/387613
- Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 6:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/388851
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 6:00pm, Mar 19, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/389968
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 2:30am, Mar 24, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/388491
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 6:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/389059
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 3:00am, Apr 08, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/390175
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 3:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/389470
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 7:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/390723
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 7:00pm, May 18, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/390288
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 7:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/390455
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 7:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/390593
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 7:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/391145
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 3:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/391302
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 3:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/391582
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 7:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/390869
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 3:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/391455
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 7:00pm, Dec 08, 2026 (Europe/Athens): https://FI.co/e/391031
The Cyprus program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Andrey Kostyuk (Dr., AAlchemy Ventures Limited), Maksim Leukhin (Head of Investor Relations , AAlchemy Ventures), Melinda Bojte (Founder, MelsDigital), Panis Pieri (Founder, Panis.News).
In addition, some of Cyprus'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 Cyprus Founder Institute includes:
- Alexis Piperides: CEO, Proto.io
- Alina Andreieva: DesignThinkers Academy business partner, Ascent Group Managing Partner, DesignThinkers Academy
- Andreas Mathikolonis
- Andreas Livadiotis
- Andrei Yarantsau
- Andrey Kostyuk: Co-Founder, AAlchemy Ventures Limited
- Antoinia Norman
- Anton Vasiliev: General Partner, Freesearch Ventures
- Arseniy Dabbakh, Innotechnics
- Beny Rubinstein, Eng, M.B.A., PhD Candidate: Founder & CEO, BZR Insights
- Brigitte Baumann
- Briken Bufi: CEO & Co-founder, Sainni AI
- Carmine Masiello: Entrepreneur, Mentor, CTO, KCYMA Studios Ltd
- Christiana Aristidou: International Business Lawyer, DEMOCRITOS ARISTIDOU & CO LAW FIRM
- Christina Michaelidou: Certified life and Business coach | Trainer | Author | Mentor | ICF CY Board director, DESIGN YOUR WINS
- Christina Orfanidou: Head of Group AI , Columbia Group
- Christos Christodoulou, Double Eye
- Cyril Golub: Board Member, LatBAN
- Dionysis Partsinevelos: Venture Capital, G4 Ventures | 33East
- Edmund Frey
- Elena Michael: Founder, Evolving Minds & YoungstarsCyprus
- Frixos Larkos
- Gala Grigoreva: CMO/Go-to-Market and Growth Marketing Strategist , Adsterra
- Gary Stewart: Founder, MyCofoundr
- George Georgiou: CEO, Novatex Solutions
- Gillian Muessig: Ms, Mastersfund
- Ivan Yong: Co-President & Board Member, European Mentoring & Coaching Council
- Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
- Kanstantsin Netyliou
- Kat Gabrielle
- Katya Solov: Founder, Miranna
- Konstantinos Kareklas: Strategy and Operations, -
- Maksim Leukhin: Head of Investor Relations , AAlchemy Ventures
- Maria Pallidou: Co-Founder and CFO , PhosPrint P.C
- Maria Stylianou: Tech Leadership Consultant, Independent
- Marianna Prokopi Demetriades: Biotech Innovator, RSL Revolutionary Labs
- Marianna Hadjiandoniou, PERHA Group
- Mario Paladini: Co-Founder & CEO, Club GLOBALS
- Marios Isaakidis: Director, infotropic.tech
- Melinda Bojte: Founder, Mels Digital, Aphrodite Events
- Michalis Antoniou
- Michalis Papadopoulos
- Moysis Moyseos: Incubator Manager , Gravity Ventures
- Nikita Volchek: Founder & GP, Volchek Capital Partners
- Nikolas Mastroyiannopoulos
- Oksana Malysheva: Managing Partner, Sputnik ATX VC
- Oleg Tumanov
- Panis Pieri: Founder, Panis.News
- Pavlos Kleanthous: Founder & CEO, Parsectix
- Pavlos Loizou: CEO , Ask Wire
- Raluca Ioana Man: Strategic Business Advisor & Board Consultant, RSEVEN LTD @ BSA
- Ricardo Marvão
- Richard Cristina: Principle Director & Founder , Bloom for Start Ups / Innovate U / Founder Institute.
- Richard Mort, Japan-Europe Facilitator
- Rudolphe Cabral: Founding Partner & Chief Portfolio Officer, Djassi Africa
- Sandra Da Silva: Sandra Da Silva , The Inner Architect
- Sergey Negodyaev: CEO, Aenix
- Sergey Osipov: Co-founder, Placy AI
- Stavriana Kofteros: Special Entrepreneurship & Development Advisor Democratic Rally
- Styliani Petroudi: Director of Innovation, CYENS Centre of Excellence, CYENS
- Volodymyr Zhukov: Venture Partner, Network VC
- Yiannis Menelaou: Director, Xtellus Europe Ltd
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Cyprus to build a great company in 2026.
Apply to the Cyprus 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
