Today, the Founder Institute, the world's premier pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Finland - Nordics Spring 2025 program!
If you could use a structured process and feedback from Helsinki's top entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Finland - Nordics Spring 2025 Founder Institute today.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the critical support network and structured process needed to build an enduring company. Since 2009, the program has helped over 7,500 Graduates raise over $1.85BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more.
The Helsinki program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Mehkar Sheikh (Regional Manager, Venture Cup Sweden), Naimul Abd (CEO, Connect Öst).
In addition, some of Helsinki's top entrepreneurs, CEOs, and investors will be participating in the program, providing them with expert training, feedback, and evaluation. The list of mentors for the Helsinki Founder Institute includes:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Abid Masood: Founder, Buddio
- Adam Webb: Founder - Lifelong, We Are Lifelong AB
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- Adrian Arnsvik Bjurefalk: Investor I early-stage venture capital in nordics and baltics, Inventure
- Aisha Mossberg
- Alexej Samsonenko: Co-founder, ARDI
- Alfredo Jollon: Managing Director, Techstars Stockholm
- Ali Jamal: GP, First Check Ventures
- Alvaro Rojo: Product leader, HSBC
- Amanda Evans: Chief Growth Officer, Enigio
- Amanda Enocksson Gyllenberg: COO l Portfolio Manager l Partner, VNTRS
- Amir Pas: Expansion Manager , WeWork
- Anastasia Trofimova: CEO and Co-Founder, YOUR BEET
- Anders Moberg: Partner, Cirio
- Anders Ekstrand: Senior Solution Architect, Softhouse Consulting
- Anders Hammarbäck: Partner, Antler
- Anders Norlin: Strategic Advisor, Nvise
- André Francois: Co-Founder and Board Member, Happy at Work International
- Andrea Hemming: Legal specialist in healthcare, AI and data privacy, Institutet för Medicinsk Rätt AB
- Andreas Ahlenius: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Amuse
- Andreas Svendsen: Senior Consultant / Engagement Manager, Rouse AB
- Andrew Hennigan: Lecturer, Coach, Writer, Andrew Hennigan Consulting
- Andy Cars: CEO & Founder, Lean Ventures International AB
- Anette Nordvall: Venture Partner, Butterfly Ventures
- Anjali Malhotra: Founder & CEO, C-Xcel
- Anjali Westwood: Founder, Maternia Care
- Anna Nadeina: Growth&Partnerships Executive, MarsX
- Anna Gissler: CEO, Invest Stockholm
- Anna Pyykkö: Founder & CEO, Female Founders Suomi
- Anna König Jerlmyr: Former Mayor of Stockholm
- Annika Vangstad: Head of Group Creative , Nordea
- Antonella Stromberg: Co-Founder, The Real Hero
- Arcui Usoara: Founder/CEO, Iaculus
- Ariane Bucquet Pousette: Project Lead Manager Startups, Invest Stockholm
- Aristo Togliatti: CEO, Loop
- Astrid Kristensen: CEO, LEIA
- Ati Serpoushan: Founder , Department of Motion
- Aviv Shalgi: CEO, Solar Simplified
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Bente Loe: Partner, Alliance Venture
- Berg Moe: Owner, Berg Moe Media
- Beril Kocadereli, Antler
- Caritta Seppä: Investment Manager, Spintop Ventures
- Carl-Henrik Koit: CEO, Almi Stockholm Sörmland
- Caroline Wachtmeister: Principal, Industrifonden
- Cenan Karaer: Founder & CEO, AllCall International AB
- Charlotte Christensen: Executive Director, Fintocat
- Charlotte Ekelund: Investor & External Relations Director, Sting
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Chris Foltz: Entrepreneur In Residence, Founder Institute + Responsible Solutions Ltd + IRG 100 CMO's & Change Agents
- Chris Albinsson: Partner & Co-founder, node.vc
- Christian Schaffner: CEO, 61st Digital Agency
- Christopher Tehrani: About Cirio People Career News and insights Search Christopher Tehrani Head of Patent Litigation/Senior Counsel
- Claes Mikko Nilsen: Investment Director, NordicNinja VC
- Dan Mc Cormick: Venture Partner, Antler.co
- Daniel Somos: Investor, Mean Reversion AB
- David Holm: General Partner, Xplorico
- David Knutsson: Founder, Parently
- David Clark: Venture Partner, Tera VC
- Dennis Kibirev: Chief Growth Officer, Mesh Ai
- Dennis Surendra: CEO & Founder, IdeaBits AB
- Dominic Davies: CEO, Immetric AB
- Donnie Sc Lygonis: Innovation Strategist & Business Coach, KTH Innovation
- Dr. Hanan El Basha: Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Maverika
- Elena Mlotok: General Manager, Head of EU Newsstand, Amazon
- Elena Bunel: Project Manager, Zero Carbon Forum
- Eleonore Hinlopen: Strategic Program Manager, Mastercard Lighthouse
- Elin Fokas-Schuettinger: COO, Mindmore
- Elin Tornblad: Female Founder of the year 2020 | Organizer, Gothenburg Tech Week
- Elisabeth Loibl: Owner, Lise & Co AB
- Elsa Hyland: Angel Investor, Startup Advisor
- Emelie Gustafsson Maistedt: Founder & CEO, Gemme & Co-founder & CEO, Gemme
- Emil Wasteson: Co-founder & COO , Hooked Foods AB
- Emil Jerndal: Head of M&A, Effektify
- Erik Hallberg: Chair Of The Board Of Directors , Fidesmo
- Erik Oskarsson: Country Manager, Rouse Sweden
- Erik Kalrberg: Founder and CEO, Finkontoret coworking
- Erik Afzelius: CEO, Humla Games
- Evelina Anttila: Partner & VC Investor, Wellstreet
- Fanny Sjöström: Founder , Swiftr
- Fedja Porobic: Head of Growth, Improove
- Felicia Nordgård: Head of Nordics, Peak
- Felipe Wigren: CEO, ACCOMPANY
- Fernanda Torre: CEO, NextAgents
- Filip Waak: Founder, bered.nu
- Fran Merino: Co-Founder, Bull Collective
- Fredrik Arnander: Co-founder & Partner, Standout Capital
- Fredrik Rosengren: Accelerator Manager & Business Coach, Sting
- Frida Wikström: Head of Communications and External Relations, Smart Freelance Cooperative Sweden
- Funda Sezgi: Co-founder & MD at Norrsken Impact Accelerator, Norrsken Foundation
- Gabriele Garavini: New Business Development Manager, Telia
- Gabrielle Ödhammar: Functional Lead Talent Planning, Group People, Nordea
- Gemma Whitehouse: Founder & Director, Ingeniva
- Gustaf-Wilhelm Hellstedt: Startup Coach, H & Partners Global Vision Ltd
- Gustav Dalén: Talent Acquisition Specialist, Sting
- Guy Parry: Senior Product Manager, VNTRS
- Haider Abdo: Founder & CEO, Returnado
- Hamed Ordibehesht: Founder & CEO, Ponture
- Hanna Dynesius: Co-founder, Beyond Profit
- Hannah Meiton: SaaS Advisor & Board Member, Mentimeter, Kognity, All Ears, Insurely, Videoly, MedUniverse
- Hannes Helander: Head of Startup Programs, Connect Sverige Region Öst
- Hannes Rosén: CEO & Co-Founder, StartupTools
- Harsh Sheth: Founder, Apeability
- Henric Westergren: Business Developer, Softhouse
- Henrik Reimavuo: Investor, J12 Ventures
- Henryk Stawicki: Founding Partner, Change Pilots
- Hrishi Rajan: Founder, TrusTrace
- Ida Herbertsson: Head of Fast Track Capital, Minc
- Idowu Akinde: Founder, Impact Hub Lagos
- Imad Elabdala: Founder, Kidnovation
- Iñaki Escudero: Brand Strategist & Co-Founder, The Real Hero
- Ingrid Maurstad: Commercial Manager, Katapult Ocean
- Isabel Nilson: Investment Manager, Spintop Ventures
- Isabella Palmgren: CEO & Co-Founder, Mimbly
- Ivana Von Proschwitz: International Relations Coordinator, AI Sweden
- James Phelan: Co-Founder, The Cannon
- Jan Zając: CEO, Sotrender
- Jan Ameri: Executive Chairman, ArcticStartup Media Oy
- Janne Saarikko: Director, Food Ecosystems Accelerator, Founder Institute
- Jasmin Elmi: Program Manager, Sustainability & Social Impact tech, Mastercard Lighthouse
- Jeanette Carlsson: Founder & CEO, Tech Nordic Advocates
- Jenny Gizard: Innovation Advisor, Almi Stockholm
- Jens Wernborg: Director, Startup Grind Hong Kong
- Jens Christian Aune: Investment Manager, Startuplab
- Jesper Johansson: CEO, Talent Eye
- Jesper Kjellerås: Founder & Chairman, Impact Hub Stockholm
- Joachim Cronquist: Founder, Sparplatsen
- Joachim Widd: COO and Partner, VNTRS
- Joachim Rittfeldt Hofvenschiöld: Co-Founder, uBIT
- Joel Sunnehall: CEO & Founder, Desifer Advisory
- Joel De Nes: Full Stack Engineer & Consultant, Co-Founder, Algrow AI
- Johan Attby: General Partner, Norrsken Accelerator
- Johan Nordin: Strategic Advisor, AgileFirst
- Johan Berglind: CTO, VNTRS
- Johan Johansson: Angel Investor & Board Professional
- John Elvesjö: Managing Partner, node.vc
- John Drakenberg Renander: CEO & Co-founder, Alex Therapeutics
- John Sjölander: Partner, Newion Partners B.V.
- John Rush: Founder, MarsX Inc
- John Erik Hassel: Owner/Executive Advisor, Oanæs & Co AS
- Jonas Bygdeson: Founder, My Dream Now
- Jonas Glädt: Chief Operating Officer, Legal Career
- Jonas Malm: Investment Associate, node.vc
- Jonas Åström: Founder & Partner, Recuro
- Jonatan Håkansson: Growth Consultant, Hawkeye Invest
- Jonathan Greechan: Co-Founder & CEO, Founder Institute
- Jonathan Ilicki: Head of Growth, Platform24
- Jørn Haanæs: Investment Director, Katapult
- Julia Delin: CEO, SSE Business Lab
- Julia Nilsson: Senior Portfolio Manager, Antler
- Katja Bergman: Partner, Brightly Ventures
- Kevin Albrecht: CTO, P.F.C.
- Kira Unger: CEO & Co-founder, PocketLaw
- Knut Wien: Chief Vision Officer (CVO) & Co-Founder, Startup Norway
- Kristína Némethová: Head of Program, Kiuas
- Lauri Robbins Ericson: Founder, Speaker, Connector, Lauri.co
- Leif Frykman: Founder & Chairman of the Board, LegalWorks Nordic
- Leo Giertz: General Partner, Icebreaker.vc
- Lesley Pennington: Founder, BEMZ
- Lina Svensberg: Program Manager / Co-Founder, DigitalWell Ventures
- Linda Fragner: Founder, Upgreen
- Linus Dahg: Investment Director, Inventure
- Lisa Franzi: Transformation Manager , Telia Sverige
- Lisen Oliw: Managing Director Nordics, Norrsken Foundation
- Luar Busó: Industry Manager, Google
- Lukas Linden Malmberg: Senior Investment Analyst, Icebreaker VC
- Magnus Bergmark: Innovation Manager, Telia Company
- Magret Jokela: Head of Program, Hanken Business Lab
- Mala Valroy: Head of Ericsson ONE EMEA, Ericsson
- Malcolm Larri: Founder, Brave Personal Development
- Manolo Obaya: Startup Coach & Head of International Growth, Founders Loft
- Mara Rada: Chief Operations and Strategy, Loon (loonbio.com)
- Mardin Baban: Executive Director, Nya Kompisbyrån
- Mari Luukkainen: Principal, Icebreaker.vc
- Mari Lahti: Head of Community & Operations, KIUAS
- Maria Ingelsson: VP Legal and HR, Automile Inc
- Maria Karlbom: Co-founder & CEO, Bospek AB
- Maria Grabowska: Manager, +impact accelerator
- Maria Ideström: Legal Counsel, H&M Group
- Maria Lindholm: Head of Partnerships, Wellstreet
- Marie Gillstam: Innovation Advisor, Almi Företagspartner Stockholm Sörmland AB
- Marie-Louise Dahl: Senior Consultant Innovation & Strategy | Program Manager, Invenio | Mastercard Lighthouse
- Matti Lindberg: Associate, Legal Counsel, Rouse Sweden
- Max Samuel: Partner, SNÖ Ventures
- Mehkar Sheikh: CEO, Venture Cup Sweden
- Mei Wen: Founding Partner, Yinvest
- Michael Lantz: CEO, Accedo
- Michal Gromek: Fintech Expert, Safello
- Michel Laporte Godorn: Founder & CEO, Vimentis Group AB
- Miguel Quintana: Founder, consultant and coach, Mindfulnets and Covitalia
- Mikael Arndt: Founder, Department of Awsome AB
- Mikael Blix: CEO & Founder, Heja
- Mikaela Larsell Ayesa: COO, uBIT.vc
- Milena Kraeva: Founder & CEO, Nexus Impact Ventures
- Miriam Sundholm: Founder, Aumla
- Moaz Hamid: founding partner, mvmt ventures
- Monika Elling: Executive Chairman, Talent Eye
- My Mattsson: Senior Associate, Rouse
- Naimul Abd: CEO, Connect Öst
- Nathan Evans: Director, Founder Institute
- Nea Harjanne: CEO, Kiuas
- Niklas Rudemo: Chief Product Officer, StartupTools
- Niss Jonas Carlsson: Founder, Språkkraft
- Ola Wassvik: Co-Founder & CTO, Flatfrog Laboratories AB
- Olena Rogozina
- Olena Bochulia: Co-Founder, Severus
- Olga Padulosi: Marketing & Partnerships, AppFollow
- Oskars Jepsis
- Ozan Alptekin: Co-founder & CTO, BISU
- Özge Özen Zink: Partnership Manager Entrepreneurs, SEB
- Patrick O'Connor-Read: AI || Blockchain || Product, Architect & CTO
- Patrik Kägu: Innovation Advisor, Almi Stockholm Sörmland
- Peder Rotkirch: Founder, Join the Carnival
- Per Björklund: Partner, Further Than Capital
- Peter Ingman: Co-Founder
- Peter Carlsson: Partner, Spintop Ventures
- Pierre Killy: Chief Technology Officer, DigiExam
- Pontus Lund: Investment Manager, Wellstreet
- Pouria Kay: Mentor, Founder Institute
- Praveen Mayakar: Investor, MaxRoot
- Preben Fjellaker Mathisen: Senior Advisor - Startups, Innovation Norway
- Ragnheiður Magnúsdóttir: Founder & Chair of the Board, Nordic Ignite
- Raman Ramalingam: Startup recruitment & HR consultant, talentX
- Randy Cottin: Founder & CEO, Nesta.se
- Rebecca Holmberg: at, Backing Minds
- Rebecka Löthman Rydå: Investment Director, Inventure
- Reid Jackson: Investment Manager, Luminar Ventures
- Remi Saint-Jean: Founder, delighting.io
- Richard Cristina: Co-founder (MentorLabs), Founder (Bloom), Principal Director (Founder Institute)
- Rickard Damm: Head of Zone, Telia Company
- Rita Anson: Co-Founder Nordic Ignite, Secretary General NorBAN Norwegian Business Angels Network
- Rodrigo Garay: Founder, Ponture
- Rodrigo Muñoz
- Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
- Saga Löfgren: Brand Manager, LEIA Health
- Saliou Sall: Founder & CEO, Tripier AB
- Salmine Sassi: Entrepreneur in Residence, Seedstars
- Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
- Sameh Katr: Chairman of the Advisory Board, Boost Turku
- Sami Ahvenniemi: General Partner, Vendep Capital
- Sami & Helena Sulieman: Entrepreneur & Investor
- Sara Hjortmar: Senior Associate, Seedrs | Republic Nordics
- Sara Håkanson Maxence: Founder, Fincipio AB
- Sarita Runeberg: CEO, Maria 01
- Sebastien Archambeaud: Founder & CEO, Handiscover
- Sigrid Hellberg: Venture Lead & Business Designer, Desifer
- Simon Turner: Founding Partner, Groundbreaking, Managing Director, FI Ghana
- Simon Olson: Founding Partner, XY Ventures
- Sissel Hansen: Founder & CEO, Startup Guide
- Smriti Mishra: Head of AI, Earthbanc
- Sofia Breitholtz: CEO, Reach for Change
- Sofia Lindelöw: Managing Director Nordics, Norrsken
- Sofie Marin: Founder & CEO, Arts Dynamics
- Sokol Vjerdha: Mentor, FI Sweden
- Stefan Sonnerstedt: CEO, Connect Sverige Region Öst
- Stefan Frank: Investor, Board Professional & Senior Business Advisor, Vitellius Invest
- Stefan Lindeberg: Partner, Further Than Capital
- Steph Thommen: Founder, purposeful.tech
- Stéphane Nasser: Co-Founder, OpenVC
- Sunil Dutt: Founder & CEO, Vembla
- Svetlana Stotskaya: Mentor, Techstars Sustainability Paris
- Taylor Ryan: 6x Start-up Founder, Investor, and Web3 Expert, Layer Three Ventures
- Ted Bowman: Partner at Wellstreet and Director of Product Management a Klarna, Wellstreet
- Teresa Acuña Lopez: Culture Strategist , Culture By Design
- Terhi Johanna Vapola: Managing Partner & Founder, Greencode Ventures
- Tetiana Siianko: Head of Accelerator Program, NoMoonShot
- Thomas Bigagli: Partner, Plug and Play
- Tiina Laisi Puheloinen: CEO, Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN)
- Timo Linnemann: Ventures Lead Hamburg & Nordics, Plug and Play
- Timo Felin: Investment Director, Vendep Capital
- Tobias Bard: CEO, Prototyp
- Torsti Tenhunen: Angel Investor & Board Professional
- Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
- Ulf Linden: Founder and COO, LegalWorks Nordic
- Ulrika Martin: Business Developer, Spotlight Stockmarket
- Vanessa Mbamalu: Startup Manager, Startup Norway
- Vesa Riihimäki: Head of Startup & Growth Finland, Nordea
- Victoria Kopylov: Founder, ThinkAloud
- Vik Li: Investment Director, Ericsson Ventures
- Ville Simola: CEO, Maria 01
- Vincent Weir: Co-Founder and Startup Champion, Mastercard Lighthouse & Time to Raise
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- Wiktoria Wójcik: Co-Founder, inSTREAMLY
- Wilhelm Lundborg: Founder & CEO, Investor & mentor, Homer.co
- Ying-Ying Huang: Investor, APX
- Zafer Elcik: Co-founder, Otsimo
- And many more to be announced.
The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, including aspiring founders with a full-time job, solo founders, teams, and founders of established companies that are pre-funding. The Founder Institute's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
Join us in Helsinki to build a great company in 2019.
Apply to the Finland - Nordics Spring 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
