Today, the Founder Institute, the world's premier pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Portugal Spring 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and feedback from Lisbon's top entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Portugal Spring 2026 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 8,900 Graduates raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Lisbon, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program:
Portugal Events:
- Meet the Alumni from the Portugal Founder Institute: 6:30pm, Apr 15, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393691
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 1:00am, Apr 07, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/392266
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 1:30am, Apr 08, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390222
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 1:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/394734
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 5:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390713
- How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 5:30pm, Apr 20, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/395763
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 5:00pm, Apr 21, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/395595
- Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 5:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/392399
- How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 5:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/394023
- How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 5:30pm, May 04, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/394528
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 1:00am, May 19, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390285
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 5:00pm, May 26, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/395448
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 5:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390445
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 1:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/388533
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 1:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393188
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 1:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393554
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 5:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390583
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 1:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393311
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 5:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391135
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 1:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391348
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 5:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/392928
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 1:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391628
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 1:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390859
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 5:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393441
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 5:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393062
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 1:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391490
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 5:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390991
The Lisbon program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Carlos Resende (Founder, Techstars Startup Digest), Elisa Tarzia (Director, Founder Institute Portugal), Fernando Jardim (President, 351 Portuguese Startup Association).
In addition, some of Lisbon'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 Lisbon Founder Institute includes:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Adam C Kirst: Founder and CEO, Brev
- Admar Neto: Founder and Cofounder, Northern and Paraty Brazil by UTMB
- Alberto Ferreira: Co Founder, Cervejaria Baden Baden
- Alex Santos: Founder and General Partner, Chamaeleon
- Alexandre Veiga: Strategic Innovation Partner, Elephant Ventures LLC
- Alexandre Dinkelmann: CO-FOUNDER, ONYO
- Alexandre Bezerra: CEO & Founder, Amachains
- Alexandre Uehara: Palestrante e Conselheiro de Inovação Corporativa, Innov8
- Altair Emboava de Araujo: Gestor, Hitt - Hub de Inovação Tecnológico de Taubaté
- Amanda Martins: Founder, ciclou
- Amit Grinvald: Strategic Communication Expert, Public Speaking Coach, Community Builder & Experience Architect, Amit Grinvald Consulting
- Ana Pires: Head of International Partnerships, Softex
- Ana Paula Vitelli: President and Chairwoman of the Board, British Chamber of Commerce in Brazil
- Ana Teresa Maia: CEO, expressTEC
- Ana Teresa Maia: CEO & Co-Founder, expressTEC
- Andre Almeida: Founder, Business Portugal
- Andre Lin: Expert em Projetos de Inovação Aberta, FENASBAC
- André Forte: Head of Business Development for the Arts, UPTEC
- André Flórido: Partner, Altaz Capital
- André Dionísio: Co-founder & CEO, ByTheLaw
- Andrea Monti: Managing Director Impact and Sustainability, Founder Institute
- André Croft De Moura: Founder, Court Master
- Andreea Marinescu: CEO, Tech Add-Venture
- Andries Oudshoorn: angel investor, advisor and board member, Amachains
- Angela Lupi: Co-Founder, Nebula Prima
- Anshul Punhani: Fractional CMO, Subjektiv
- António Santos: Founder, Windcredible
- Augusto Terra, Food Venture Hub
- Benny Goldenberg: Founder and CEO, La Guapa Empanadas Artesanais
- Bernardo Tavares: CTO, Granter
- Bernardo Seixas: CEO and Co-founder, Granter
- Bruna Losada: Vice-Diretora-Geral | Deputy Dean & COO, Saint Paul Escola de Negócios
- Bruno Dequech Ceschin: Co-founder & CFO, JUPTER & Director, Founder Institute Brazil
- Bruno Avillez: Partner, Adsum Business Consultoria
- Bruno Gutman: International Lawyer (Brazil & Portugal) , Lawyer
- Caetano Maffra: Co Founder, Cuia Tech
- Carla De Calvo Dantas: CLV Founder and Lawyer, CLV Advogados
- Carlos Nogueira: Head of Sales, Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
- Carlos Souza: Administrador , CSELOR
- Carlos Resende: Founder, Techstars Startup Digest
- Carmine Masiello: Entrepreneur, Mentor, CTO, KCYMA Studios Ltd
- Carolin Wais: Partner, Plug and Play Ventures
- Carolina Aguiar: Global Scientific Director - Digital Engagement, Specialty Care, GSK
- Carolina Amorim: Ex-Founder , Emotai
- Cesar Tureta: Founder, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
- César Morais, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
- Cintia Mano: Angel Investor
- Claudio Gianturco Gulisano: Managing Partner, Lean Business Research (www.leanbr.org)
- Claudio Santiago: Partner, EscapeTime Brasil
- Cristiana Cruz, ScaleUp Porto
- Cristina Santos: Comunicação e Gestão do Conhecimento de TI, Braskem
- Daniela Coimbra Swiatek: Especialista em Inovação, Nowy Swiat Pesquisa e Assessoria
- Daniela Motta: Co-Founder, Clinica Motta & Almeida
- Daniela Simão: Audit Committee Member, BANCO NACIONAL DE ANGOLA
- Daniele Cabral: CEO & Founder, DAAD Transformando Pessoas
- Dawn Chen: Business Angel, COREangels Lisbon
- Denise Pereira: CEO, Denise Curi, Phd
- Diego Simon: Founder & CEO, B2B Master
- Diogo Bhovan: Founder & Lead Investor, DBh Ventures
- Don Samoil: Managing Partner, Trusted Scale
- Eder Campos: Mentor e Investidor Anjo | CX | Modelo de negócios | Cultura, FDC - Fundação Dom Cabral
- Edson Ferro: Diretor de Operações Empresariais, SIMPOSS Assessoria Empresarial.
- Eduardo Mendes: Senior Sales Executive - Financial Services , SAS
- Elisa Tarzia: Co-Founder & Vice President of the Board of Directors, 351 Portuguese Startup Association
- Ely Dirani: Associate Professor, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo
- Emily Coelho: Head da Jornada do Empreendedor , SMU Investimentos
- Fabio D´Novaes: Co-Founder e CEO, Born Global Partner
- Fabio Frazão: Founder and Director, Mexeri.ca
- Fábio De Faria: Advogado, N Partners
- Fabiola Benvenuti: Human Resources Advisor, Dentsu
- Fahima Farahi: Co-Founder & CEO, WiseWorld.ai
- Felipe Brasileiro: co-founder & CEO, Parafuzo
- Felipe Dos Santos: Co-Founder, Play2sell
- Felipe Wasserman: PARTNER , BABUXCA
- Felipe Giannetti: Managing Partner, StartSe
- Felipe Maruyama: Diretor de Operações, programas e projetos, Centro de Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Tecnologia (CIETEC)
- Ferdinand Mühlhäuser: Digital Strategist, Business Angel & Coach, Founder Institute Germany
- Ferdinand Mühlhäuser: Digital Strategist, convestec GmbH
- Fernando Jardim: President, 351 Portuguese Startup Association
- Filipa Pinto de Carvalho: Co-Founder , AGPC / RedBridge Lisbon / Here Partners
- Francesco Weiss: Co-Founder & CEO, eRa - Retail Analytics
- Frank Rolim: Frank Rolim, Founder conecte.ai
- Franklin Ribeiro: Head Startup Ecosystem, Investe Sao Paulo
- Gabriela Accorsi: CPO e Co- Founder , La Decora
- Gabriela Marques Teixeira: Head of Digital Solutions, Stefanini
- Gianfranco Vento: CEO , Cassa di Risparmio di San Marino
- Gil Belford: Director, Corporate and Business Development, City Storage Systems
- Giovanna Claro: Founder & General manager, eHeadset
- Gonçalo Consiglieri: COO & Co-Founder, Visor.ai
- Guilherme Terrengui: Founder, Sumsub
- Henrique Macedo: Socio/Partner, GAAP Consultoria & Corpservices Group
- Henrique Cruz: Head of Growth & AI, ROWS
- Henry Suzuky: CEO & Founder, Axonal Consultoria Tecnológica
- Humberto Matsuda: Managing Partner, Matsuda Invest
- Humberto Pereira: Co-Founder and CEO, Rows
- Isabel Carapeta: Founder & CEO, Simplifyer
- Isaque Gabriel Da Silva: Co-founder e CLO , ENERGY REVIEW
- Ivan Germanov: Regional Success Manager, Founder Institute
- Ivan E. Germanov: Certified Coach, Founder Institute
- Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
- Jeferson Procopio: CEO & Founder, Quick Digital
- Joan Isern, Recru
- Joana Pinto: CEO & Co-Founder, Clynx Health
- Joao Pereira: CTO, Build Up Labs
- João Cerqueira: Co-Founder and CEO, 4H Knowledge Management
- João Nunes Rosado: Head of Portfolio, Unicorn Factory Lisboa
- João Afonso: Startup Founder and Head of Business Development - CCI, UPTEC
- Jon Fath: CEO, Rauva
- Jonathan Alba
- Jorge Azevedo: Angel Investor and Author, Como nasce uma startup
- Jose Maria Rodríguez Perez: CEO & Founder, CINN
- Lais Fonseca Alves: Founder & CEO , Precavida
- Laura Gurgel: Founder, Clube de Negócios
- Leandro Hernández: Founder, Cuida.Life
- Lital Aravot: Program Director, Aetion
- Louise Radoor Larsen: Fractional CMO & GTM Advisor, Momentum Marketing
- Lucas De Lima Neto: Executive Diretcor MME & ESG / Partner, Empírica
- Lucas Galvanini: Co-Founder & Sales Director, KnowCode
- Lucas Oliveira: Portfolio Manager, COREangels Atlantic
- Luis Valente: CEO and Co-Founder, iLoF
- Luis Valent
- Luiz Fernando Silva: Especialista em Gestão Estratégica, Ltrainning Planejando Ideias e Negócios
- Lurdes Gramaxo: Partner, Bynd Venture Capital
- Manuel Rodrigues: Legal, OW Ventures
- Marcelo Costa: Management Advisor, Valoração Consultoria
- Marcelo Vivacqua: Founder and CEO, Associação Brasil Internacional de Inventores, Cientistas e Empreendedores Inovadores - ABIPIR
- Marcelo Lebre: President, Remote
- Marcio Motter: Finance Executive “as a service” | Advisor | Mentor, N/A
- Marcos Olmos: Head of VC, VOX Capital
- Maria Ribeiro Soares: CEO
- Mariana Guarini: Membro do Conselho de Administração , MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo
- Mario Alves: Co-Founder & CEO, TAIKAI & LayerX
- Maurizio Calcopietro: Managing Partner, Core Angels Atlantic
- Mayra Motta: Sócia, Mayra Motta Advocacia Corporativa
- Mayra Castro: Ambassador, Seedstars
- Miguel Amador: Chief Innovation Officer, Complear
- Miguel Alves Ribeiro: Founder and CEO, sheerME
- Misa Nikolic: CEO, Resonator – Creative Tech Hub
- Monica Lobenschuss: CEO, Vendas Exponenciais
- Neusa Andrade: CEO & Founder, Indiip- Intelligent Drug Information and knowledge Integration Platform LLC
- Nuno Fernandes: Co-Founder and CEO, Dig-IN
- Nuno Madeira do Ó: Managing Director, Sciencehouse Consultancy
- Nuno Fernandes: CEO & Co-Founder, DIG-IN
- Odete Afonso Duarte: Corporate Communication Branding , ESG Executive, Consultant
- Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
- Patricia Lacerda: CEO & Founder, FOL Solutions
- Paula Machado: CEO & Founder, Meister Safe System, Look2You
- Paulo Carneiro: Manager, Craton-Roche
- Pedro Henriques: Founder and CEO, BRIDGE IN
- Pedro Almeida: Venture Capital Investor, Armilar
- Pedro Rocha: Founder and CEO, Sagescan
- Pedro Grilo: Investment Manager, Portugal Ventures
- Pedro Coutinho: CEO, Founder and Investor, WATERDOG
- Peixoto Accyoli: Chief Executive Officer, RE/MAX Brasil
- Rafael Angelo Nanis: Coordenador Growth Marketing, Atmosfera Ventures
- Raquel Molina: CEO, Futuriste Tecnologias Inovadoras
- Renata Tomazeli: CEO & Founder, Youfeel
- Renata Marques: CIO Latin America, Natura &Co
- Ricardo Normand: Venture Partner, Tomahawk.vc
- Ricardo Pinto Martins: Founder, TRIWI
- Ricardo Carvalho: CTO, Bloq.it
- Rita Costa: CEO, International Career Consultant & Business Partner
- Roberto Soria: AI Transformation | Cloud Solution Architecture | Customer Success Lead | Digital & Business Transformation | Security | Technology, Microsoft
- Rodrigo Bindes: CEO e Co Founder, Nutrifresh
- Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo: Founder/CEO, ISBrasil e IBND
- Rodrigo Olmedo: Director, uGlobally
- Rodrigo Barbosa: Partner, Communications Director, Araucária Ventures & Consulting
- Rogerio Augusto Cortes: CEO, Catalisar
- Ronald Goovaerts: Ronald, Magnetic Whisper
- Rui Gouveia: CEO, Build Up Labs
- Rui Ferreira: Founder, Nova Legal
- Sanderson Pajeú: Founder & CEO, naPorta
- Sandra Arango: FMCG International C-Level Executive, Ex-P&G/KHC/Reckitt
- Santiago Fernandez Bender: CEO, SUMA
- Sara Gonçalves: Founder & CEO, Actif
- Sean Tierney: Founder, Problemattic
- Sedef Sahin: Founders’ Mentor | Unlocking Leadership & Growth, Talent Based Co.
- Sergio Escobar: CEO & Partner, BCF Ventures, Managing Director, Lalotte Ventures
- Sergio Emanuel Cusmai: CEO and Founder, AIpha-G
- Sofia Soares: Innovation Ecosystem Builder
- Stevan Markovic, AQVC
- Syed Raza Haider: CEO, Loopless AI Inc
- TATIANA YOSHIDA: Innovation and Technology Coordinator, Grupo Energia
- Thiago Garcia: CEO & General Partner, 10X Partners
- Thiago Vieira: CEO, Cybertech
- Tiago Martins Oliveira: Co-Founder, Lev Gestão Empresarial
- Tiago Silva: CTO, Closum
- Tijana Momirov: Startup Consultant - Product Management, StartupSetup
- Tim Ward: Founder , Bid Buddy Pro
- Tomás Penaguião: Partner, Bynd Venture Capital
- Vando Ribeiro: CEO, Grupo 2MI
- Wilian Silva Vieira: CEO , Pitaco Criativo
- 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 Lisbon to build a great company in 2019.
Apply to the Portugal Spring 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
