Today, the Founder Institute, the world's premier pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Sao Paulo - Brasil 2025 program!
If you could use a structured process and feedback from Sao Paulo's top entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Sao Paulo - Brasil 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.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Sao Paulo, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program:
Brasil Events:
- Conheça o Ecossistema do Founder Institute Brasil (evento presencial): 5:30pm, abr 28, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/368557
- [Restricted] Sao Paulo – Brasil 2025 VIP Launch Mixer (In-Person): 6:00am, mai 14, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/357088
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Investing in Change: Monique Woodard on Building the Future with Cake Ventures: 3:00pm, abr 24, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/369904
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 9:00pm, abr 28, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/366171
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 9:00pm, mai 05, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/370018
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 9:00pm, mai 07, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/366335
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Nathan Beckord: 2:00pm, mai 12, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/366471
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 2:00pm, mai 26, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/370395
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 2:00pm, jun 02, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/370634
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 9:00pm, jun 09, 2025 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/370778
Since first launching in 2015, the Sao Paulo Founder Institute has helped build several promising companies in the region. The Sao Paulo program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Diego Simon (Founder and CEO, Viva Decora), Guilherme Cabral (Investor & Founder of N G C), Marco De Biasi (Managing Partner, LAAS), and Nima Kazerooni (Managing Director, Founder Institute Brazil).
In addition, some of Sao Paulo'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 Sao Paulo Founder Institute includes:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Admar Neto: Founder and Cofounder, Northern and Paraty Brazil by UTMB
- Alberto Ferreira: Co Founder, Cervejaria Baden Baden
- Alexandre Dinkelmann: CO-FOUNDER, ONYO
- Alexandre Bezerra: CEO & Founder, Amachains
- Alexandre Uehara: Palestrante e Conselheiro de Inovação Corporativa | Top 3 e Top10 mentor do Ano Startup Awards 2022/23//24, Innov8
- Aline Catiusce: COO, Softsul Sistemas
- Amanda Martins: Founder, ciclou
- Ana Pires: Head of International Partnerships, Softex
- Ana Julia Ferreira: Project Management Officer (PMO), Radix Investimentos
- Andre Almeida: Founder, Business Portugal
- Andre Lin: Expert em Projetos de Inovação Aberta, FENASBAC
- Andre Torbitoni: Founder | estratégia e escalabilidade tecnológica, Uníssona
- ANDRE TCHERNOBILSKY: Board member, Founder, CEO, Innovation and Impact Projects
- André Costenaro: Head Of Digital & Innovation , Louis Dreyfus Company
- Andrea Monti: Managing Director Impact and Sustainability, Founder Institute
- Andrea Cerqueira: Sales, Marketing and Customer Success Director, Motivart
- Andreea Marinescu: CEO, Tech Add-Venture
- Andries Oudshoorn: angel investor, advisor and board member, Amachains
- Angela Lupi: Co-Founder, Nebula Prima
- Arturo Flores Marquéz: Angel Investor & CFO , Traxión
- 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 Okamoto: Founder, EUNERD
- Carlos Nogueira: Head of Sales, Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
- CAROLINE FARIA: Sustainability Specialist, Schneider Electric
- Cesar Thomé: CFO, Levitar
- Cintia Mano: CEO, COREANGELS
- Claudio Gianturco Gulisano: Managing Partner, Lean Business Research (www.leanbr.org)
- Claudio Las Casas Alelaf: CEO, Argenprom Brasil
- Claudio Santiago: Partner, EscapeTime Brasil
- Clovis Castelo Junior: Head of Research /Member of the Board /Lecturer, FATEC USA / ClienteSA
- Daniela Coimbra Swiatek: Especialista em Inovação, Nowy Swiat Pesquisa e Assessoria
- Daniela Simão: Audit Committee Member, BANCO NACIONAL DE ANGOLA
- Denise Pereira: CEO, Denise Curi, Phd
- Diego Perez: Legal, Compliance & Co-Founder, StartMeUp Crowdfunding
- Diego Simon: Founder & CEO, B2B Master
- 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 Martucci: Product Owner, Exactaworks · Full-time
- Eduardo Mendes: Senior Sales Executive - Financial Services , SAS
- Elcio Morelli: Founder, Health Angels Br
- Ely Dirani: Associate Professor, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo
- Emily Coelho: Head da Jornada do Empreendedor , SMU Investimentos
- Erica Fridman Stul: Managing Partner, Sororité
- Fabiana Alves: Marketing & Communications Manager, Comgás
- Fabiano Porto: Executive Director, Global Regeneration Institute
- Fabio Frazão: Founder and Director, Mexeri.ca
- Fábio Póvoa: Managing Director, Smart Money Ventures
- Fabiola Benvenuti: Human Resources Advisor, Dentsu
- Fabricio Lira Figueiredo: Head of Ventures, CPQD
- 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)
- Flavio Galvão: CEO & Founder, ECP Ambiental / StayEasy / Canal Poluição
- Francesco Weiss: Co-Founder & CEO, eRa - Retail Analytics
- Franco Torres: Associate, Brunel Partners
- Frank Rolim: Frank Rolim, Founder conecte.ai
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Cofounder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
- Gabriela Accorsi: CPO e Co- Founder , La Decora
- Gianfranco Vento: CEO , Cassa di Risparmio di San Marino
- Giovanna Claro: Founder & General manager, eHeadset
- Guilherme Yata: Founder-CEO, S3 Projects
- Guilherme Terrengui: Founder, Sumsub
- Guilherme Skaf Amorim: Head of Partnerships Head of Partnerships , Wayra Brasil
- Guillermo Guzmán: GP, Founder Institute Colombia
- Henrique Macedo: Socio/Partner, GAAP Auditores & Consultores
- Henry Suzuky: CEO & Founder, Axonal Consultoria Tecnológica
- Humberto Matsuda: Managing Partner, Matsuda Invest
- Icaro Molinari: CEO & Founder, CoProdux
- In Hsieh: Empreendedor especialista em Ecommerce
- Javier Caruso: Founder & CEO , Webstart
- Jeferson Procopio: CEO & Founder, 37924499000133
- João Cerqueira: Co-Founder and CEO, 4H Knowledge Management
- João Gabriel Chebante: Consultor, Sucellos
- Jorge Azevedo: Angel Investor and Author, Como nasce uma startup
- Juliana Gavini: Especialista de desenvolvimento industrial, SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial
- Junior Borneli: CEO e Fundador da StartSe, StartSe
- Lais Fonseca Alves: Founder & CEO , Precavida
- Laura Gurgel: Founder, Clube de Negócios
- Laurent Serafini: CEO
- Leandro Hernández: Founder, Cuida.Life
- Leo Gmeiner: Program Director, Founder Institute Brasil
- Leonardo Gaitan: CEO & co-founder, Autoparti
- Leonardo Addeo Ramos: Vice-Director Clinico, Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro
- Lucas Galvanini: Co-Founder & Sales Director, KnowCode
- LUIZ EDUARDO LEAO: Gerente de Tecnologias Educacionais, SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial
- Marcelo Vivacqua: Founder and CEO, Associação Brasil Internacional de Inventores, Cientistas e Empreendedores Inovadores - ABIPIR
- Marcelo Bella: C-Level, Mentor e Investidor Anjo, Picpay
- Marcelo Vasconcelos: Managing Partner, Black Lion Brasil
- Marcio Motter: Finance Executive “as a service” | Advisor | Mentor, N/A
- Marcio Mendes: CEO & Founder, Marketing Sustentável
- Marco De Biasi: Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director, FI/LGA /LAAS
- Marcos Olmos: Head of VC, VOX Capital
- Marcos Cacalis: Head of Innovation and Optimization, Kashimir Consultoria e Gestão Empresarial
- Marcus Maida: socio, PMM
- Mariana Hagel: Owner, Hagel Consulting
- Mariana Velásquez: Founder - CEO, BRANDDU
- Mariana Guarini: Membro do Conselho de Administração , MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo
- Mariana Camargo: CEO, Uníssona
- Matteo Santini: Startups Private Investor, Private Investor
- Maurizio Calcopietro: Managing Partner, Core Angels Atlantic
- Mayra Motta: Sócia, Mayra Motta Advocacia
- Monica Lobenschuss: CEO, Vendas Exponenciais
- Morganna Tito: Community Manager, Inovabra
- Nara Iachan: CMO, Cuponeria
- Neusa Andrade: CEO & Founder, Indiip- Intelligent Drug Information and knowledge Integration Platform LLC
- Nima Kaz: Co Founder, JUPTER & Director, Founder Institute Brazil
- Odete Afonso Duarte: Corporate Communication Branding , ESG Executive, Consultant
- Otávio César Cafundo De Moraes: CEO , Brasil Diverso
- Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
- Pâmela Ponce: CEO, IAPRENDI & ELA S/A
- Patricia Lacerda: CEO & Founder, FOL Solutions
- Paula Machado: CEO & Founder, Meister Safe System
- Paulo Faria: CEO & Founder, OTSE
- Paulo Carneiro: Manager, Craton-Roche
- Pedro Napoleão Jr.: CEO & Founder, ByStartup
- Peixoto Accyoli: Chief Executive Officer, RE/MAX Brasil
- Rafael Sampaio: CEO Brasil, NovaRed
- Rafael Campos: VC Portfolio Manager, VOX Capital
- Rafael Angelo Nanis: Coordenador Growth Marketing, Atmosfera Ventures
- Rajanish Karki: Founder, Beats Bazar
- Raquel Molina: CEO, Futuriste Tecnologias Inovadoras
- Reinaldo Azevedo: CEO, ENERGY REVIEW
- Renata Bonaldi: CEO & Founder, Sleep Up
- Renata Marques: CIO Latin America, Natura &Co
- Renato Simon: Managing Partner, LAAS Latin American Angels Society
- Ricardo Normand: Venture Partner, Tomahawk.vc
- Ricardo Oliani: Director, Counselor e Co Founder, ABRAPS - Associação Brasileira dos Profissionais pelo Desenvolvimento Sustentável
- Ricardo Wang: Ex-Founder, Investor, Enthusiastic and Curious, GM, ex(Mdlz, RB and Kerry)
- Ricardo Pinto Martins: Founder, TRIWI
- Roberto Soria: Head of Professional Services LATAM, Thomson Reuters
- Robson Del Fiol: Channel & Franchising Director, Skyone
- Rodrigo Bindes: CEO e Co Founder, Nutrifresh
- Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo: Founder/CEO, ISBrasil e IBND
- Rodrigo Oliveira: CRO, StayApp
- Rodrigo Oliveira: CEO e Diretor de Estratégias, Plástico Virtual, Blob e Álamo Inteligência Comercial
- Rodrigo Saad Rodrigues: CEO & Founder, Monitoragua
- Rodrigo Barbosa: Partner, Communications Director, Araucária Ventures & Consulting
- Rodrigo Grossi: Co-founder Startups Global LInk, Partner and COO, Dynadok
- Sanderson Pajeú: Founder & CEO, naPorta
- Sandra Arango: FMCG International C-Level Executive, Ex-P&G/KHC/Reckitt
- Semi Kim: Sr. Fintech Business Development Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Sergio Escobar: CEO & Partner, BCF Ventures, Managing Director, Lalotte Ventures
- Sergio Emanuel Cusmai: CEO and Founder, AIpha-G
- TATIANA YOSHIDA: Innovation and Technology Coordinator, Grupo Energia
- Thiago Garcia: CEO & General Partner, 10X Partners
- Tijana Momirov: Startup Consultant - Product Management, StartupSetup
- Vando Ribeiro: CEO, Grupo 2MI
- Vanessa Abrahão: Head of Customer Success , Groove Marketing de Incentivo
- Victor Lugli: Managing Partner, Lugli Group
- 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 Sao Paulo to build a great company in 2019.
Apply to the Sao Paulo - Brasil 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
