Build a Great Startup in 2026 with the FI Mano River 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 Mano River 2026 program!

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

From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 12:00am, Apr 07, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/392257
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 12:30am, Apr 08, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/390207
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 12:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/394728
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 4:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/390767
How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 4:30pm, Apr 20, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/395734
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 4:00pm, Apr 21, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/395567
Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 4:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/392438
How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 4:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/394027
How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 4:30pm, May 04, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/394543
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 12:00am, May 19, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/390328
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 4:00pm, May 26, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/395422
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 4:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/390499
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 12:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/388519
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 12:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/393191
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 12:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/393540
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 4:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/390637
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 12:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/393314
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 4:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/391189
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 12:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/391333
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 4:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/392931
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 12:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/391613
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 12:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/390913
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 4:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/393444
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 4:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/393070
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 12:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/391480
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 4:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Atlantic/Azores): https://FI.co/e/391000

See all upcoming events

The Mano River program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alois Monger (Director , FI Mano River), Emma Sherbine (Platform and Programs, Startup Africa Ventures).

In addition, some of Mano River'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 Mano River Founder Institute includes:

Akwasi Appiah: Manager of Technology and Innovation, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Alexandre N'djore: CEO, Digitech Group
Alois Monger: Managing General Partner, Startup Africa Ventures
Aminata Dumbuya: Founder, Freetown Waste Transformers
Annie Wonnie Katta: Director, Orange Foundation Sierra Leone
Augustus Flomo: CEO, Gusceman Inc.
Bashir Muhammad Idris: Senior Manager, Limkokwing Innovation Hub
Boakai Mamey: Software Engineer, LinkedIn
Charles Dorme Cooper: Founder, Bzzn
Christollie Ade Suah: Founder , Balance with Ade
Christopher Greene: Founder & CEO, Syberlex Consulting Technologies
Curtis Jackson: Managing Consultant, DG Technologies
Dave Rice: Founder, President, SIAS Intl.
David Chen: Co-founder and Co-CEO, Kapsule
Deola Famak: Founder, Educare Liberia
Dieudonne Perry: Chief Operating Officer, SMART Liberia
Dominique Tolbert: Founder, TLBRT Hospitality | Mesean Spices
Dwalu Khasu: Founder, Jump Technology Group
Emma Fofanah: Founder, Songo Investments
Eric Osiakwan: Managing Partner, Chanzo Capital
Eric Hage: Co-founder & CEO, Ezee Market
Francis Stevens George, Innovation SL
Isabelle Bart: Founder, Entrepreneurship Coach, Impact Innovator
Joe Yilla: Founder, Knesst
Joseph Crayton: Managing General Partner, Joseph Crayton
Kent Bubbs: Executive Director, Universal Outreach Foundation
Leeza Bright: CEO, Path9Consulting
Lucia Fernandes Stanislas: Global Impact & Ecosystem Strategy Mentor, Mwika Social Innovation Hub
Mahmoud Idriss: Founder & CEO, Smart Systems SL Ltd
Mawuena Augustt: Managing Partner, Talentia Aftica, Liberia
Morris Marah: Founder, Sensi Tech Innovation Hub
Oliver Klark: Founder & CEO, Advanced Converged Technologies (My Watchman)
Peter King: Founder, GLS Group
Scout Tweedie Yates: Regional Manager , The Founder Institute HQ
Sinkarie Sesay: Managing Director, Mangara Capital
Snorwlor Bropleh: CSO & Co-Founder, Advanced Converged Technologies (My Watchman)
Tomi Davies: President. Emeritus, African Business Angel Network (ABAN)
Varney Blamah: CEO, African Valuables Collective (AVC)
Wainright Acquoi: Founder & CEO, TRIBE
William Dennis: Founder, Business Start-Up Center
William Marshall: Senior Development Consultant, The KAZI Group Inc
Wilson Idahor: CEO, Top Consulting Inc. (TCi)
Zaza Mulbah: Senior Manager, Orange Digital Center