Today, the Founder Institute, the world's premier pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Miami 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and feedback from Miami's top entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Miami 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 9,000 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 Miami, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program:
- How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Aug 11, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/403308
- How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 12:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/403466
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, Aug 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393321
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 8:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/399780
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 12:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392938
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 12:00pm, Sep 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/401211
- How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 8:30pm, Sep 14, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/403605
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 12:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398329
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391550
- Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 12:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391183
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393451
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393068
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391412
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391025
The Miami program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including James Irvine (Founder, Pitch Night NYC), and Roxette Miranda (Co-Founder, 305 Works).
In addition, some of Miami'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 Miami Founder Institute includes:
- Aaron Chavez: Managing Partner, (un)conventional ventures
- Adam Garfield: Exited Founder & CEO, Stealth, SpeedETab
- Anna Ratala: 2x Founder & CEO, Zvook
- Anuj Maheshwari: Investor, Fuel Venture Capital
- Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, Iaculus
- Ayal Stern: Co-Founder, The LAB Miami
- Bo Zhao: Founder & CEO, Baby Gear Group
- Carlos Erban: Founder, CERBAN Investments
- Charles Masters Rodriguez: Co-Founder & CEO, Supply Veins
- Chris Anderson: General Partner, A2ZVenture.com
- David Chitester: Founder, SeedFunders
- Dean Hatton: Founding Partner, Las Olas VC
- Diana Fox: Co-Founder, Odyssey Gaming
- Elvia Perez: Investor, Las Olas Venture Capital (LOVC)
- Erick Gavin: General Partner, Edin Capital
- Esteban Reyes: Founding Partner, Las Olas Venture Capital
- Ethan Werner: Principal, BlueLake VC
- Franco Della tore
- Grace Spindel: Head of Product , EY & Director, Founder Institute Miami
- Hilmon Sorey: Co-Founder & Partner, The Source Groups
- James Irvine: Partner, SeedFunders
- Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
- Julia Lucidi: Founder, Fort Lauderdale Tech Meetup
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Justin Elliott: Anthropic Ambassador & CTO, WRTH
- Justis Mendez: Managing Partner, OneSixOne Ventures
- Ken Hall: Vice President, DeepWork Capital
- Kristen Corpion: Founder, CORPlaw
- Lauren Pencek: COO, Graphika
- Marcelo Ricigliano: CEO, 4Geeks Academy
- Maria Jose Dobles Madrigal: Founder & Managing Partner, DM Legal
- Mark Volchek: Founder, Las Olas Venture Capital
- Michael Assraf: CEO & Founder, Flamingo
- Michel Triana: General Partner, Mises Capital
- Mike Lingle: Entrepreneur / Mentor, Rocket Pro Forma
- Mike Sherbakov: General Partner, The Veteran Fund
- Miriam Altman Reyes: Founding CEO & Managing Partner, Brass Ring Ventures
- Mitali Saxena: Founder & CEO, Fashom
- Nao Madison: Managing Partner , Tomorrow
- Nelson Telemaco: GP, Eden Capital
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Olivia Ramos: Founder & CEO, Deepblocks
- Peter Livingston: General Partner, Unpopular Ventures
- Ryan Martin: Director, Founder Institute Miami and BD, Enduring Planet
- Ryan Pruitt: Managing Director, Ocean Azul Partners
- Sam Payrovi: Founder & CEO, ARKHAUS
- Satadru Sengupta: Co-Founder & CEO, Nimbus
- Sonja Markova: Executive Director, University of Miami Cane Angel Network
- Tahl Milburn: Investor, Seedfunders
- Tigre Wenrich: Managing Partner, LAB Ventures
- Timothy Cartwright: Chairman, Tamiami Angel Funds
- 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 Miami to build a great company in 2019.
Apply to the Miami 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
