Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future.
As a result, the Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that it is officially launching its newest chapter in South Africa. While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Cape Town and throughout the country can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute's renowned structure, mentor support, and network to build an enduring company.
Applications to the first-ever Cape Town Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/cape_town.
The Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding, and build something that matters.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 7,500 Alumni raise over $1.85BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in South Africa, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program from the comfort of your home:
South Africa Events:
- Launching and Scaling Startups in Africa: Insights from FI Founders: 6:00pm, Feb 05, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/361484
- Meet the African Startup Ecosystem : 7:00pm, Feb 12, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/364140
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute): 8:00pm, Dec 30, 2024 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/360243
- Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute): 3:00am, Jan 03, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/360366
- How to Go from 0 to 1: Scaling and Exiting Your Startup with Mark Balovnev: 8:00pm, Jan 06, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/363260
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Technical Co-Founder: 8:00pm, Jan 08, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/361622
- Startup to Scale-Up: Mastering Sales & Branding with Mark Kosoglow: 8:00pm, Jan 13, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/361007
- How to Build, Fundraise, and Exit Your Startup: AMA with Tim Grassin: 12:00pm, Jan 15, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/362923
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 3:00am, Jan 23, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/362643
- How to Align Your Brand Messaging with Your Startup Mission: 8:00pm, Jan 27, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/363052
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 8:00pm, Jan 29, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/363535
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Trasition to Startup Founder : 3:00am, Feb 04, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/363697
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Feb 05, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/363912
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Feb 10, 2025 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/364063
The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Cape Town include local startup leaders Deepti Jeram (Co-Founder, Boardroom In A Box), FI SA (XX, NA), John Zabula (Founder, Revisall), Keshni Morar (Managing Director, Founder Institute South Africa + Investable), Lily Makaleng (Director, The Founder Institute South Africa), Victoria Odimba (Founder/CEO, C Insights Africa).
Opportunities are flourishing in South Africa. There's now a great ecosystem for entrepreneurs - from crowdfunding platforms to digital communities. The Founder Institute can increase an aspiring technology entrepreneur's chance of success by providing the necessary skills and mindset - and a link to the Silicon Valley!
In addition, many of the region's top founders, CEOs, advisors, and investors have signed on to mentor new entrepreneurs in the South Africa 2025 Founder Institute program, including:
- Aadil Munsami: Fractional CFO
- Abu Bakr Cassim: Founder, Jozi Angels
- Akua Nyame Mensah: Certified Executive & Leadership Coach, A.N.M & Company
- Alan Fok: Growth Partner & Leadership Coach, The Forward Coach
- Andre De Wet: CEO, 2ndBase Inc
- Annu Augustine: Founder, NedRock
- Anthony Stonefield: Chief Innovation Officer, AIDA Advisory Services
- Arcui Usoara: Founder/CEO, Iaculus
- Ayodeji Agboola: Founder, Akowe
- Ayodeji Agboola: CEO, Akowe
- Bade Aluko: Managing Partner, White Hibiscus Capital
- Bentzy Goldman: Founder, Perflo
- Berg Moe: Owner, Berg Moe Media
- Bertha Kgokong: Founder & CEO, Tati Software
- Bhairav Patel: Managing Director, Atom CTO
- Boitumelo "Tumi" Menyatswe: Co-Founder & CEO, OPENSEED & Quantum
- Brenda Wangari: Head of Portfolio Success, Madica
- Brian O. Sing'ora: Brian Obwora Sing'ora, Origee-Nation Ventures
- Charlotte Luzuka: Co-Founder & Investor, Dazzle Angels
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Chris Foltz: Entrepreneur In Residence, Responsible Solutions Ltd
- Cleo Johnson: Strategist, Marketing Maven
- Dana Ohana: CEO and Co-Founder, Big Consulting
- Deepti Jeram: Co-Founder & CMO, Boardroom In A Box
- Deon Katz: CEO & co-Founder , Graphite Growth
- Deven Govender, LionPride Investment Holdings
- Devin Butler: Co-founder, LogLive
- Didier Vermeiren: Founder, Rialto
- Dimitri Anagnostopoulos: Partner, True North Partners
- Donald Vutlharhi Valoyi: Founder, Zulzi
- Dr. Ope Banwo: Attorney/Techfounder, Mobisoft360 Inc.
- Eitan Stern: Director & Lawyer, Legalese
- Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
- Florent Nduwayezu: Mr. , BESTSELLER FOUNDATION
- Gareth Bleazard: CEO and Founder, Great North Road
- Gatis Vilcans: Director of Technology, Atom CTO
- Gbite Oduneye: Founder and Managing Partner, ODBA
- Giovanni Focaraccio: Product Manager, Potenza
- Greg Serandos: Founder & CEO, African Academy of Artificial Intelligence
- Hema Vallabh: Founding Partner, Five35 Ventures
- Idowu Akinde: Managing Director, Impact Hub Lagos
- Jabulani Zwane: Founder & CEO, Mindset Development Institute
- Jaco De Wet: Independent Consultant, Independent Consultant
- Jacobus Erasmus: Director, Founder Institute South Africa
- Jatin Kataria: Founder & MD, InMeSta + JK Venture Studio
- Jerry Oche: Co-founder/CEO, Zowasel
- Johann Ungerer: Director, 1099 Ventures, Digital Puppetry, LetsJam, WIP
- John Zabula: Founder, Revisall
- Joshua Murima: Head of Engagement & Investor Relations, Briter Bridges
- Kamal Hassan: Founding Partner, Loyal VC
- Katie Mapondera: Founder and Managing Partner, Q L and D LLC
- Kayimbi Ruben Ruben Mpanya: Strategic Projects Associate, Innovation Edge
- Kendrall Felder: Co-Founder & CEO, Cyber Alliance
- Keshni Morar: Managing Director, Founder Institute South Africa + Investable
- Kevin Chetty: Founder CEO, Macrocomm Financial Services / Xtenda Housing Finance
- Kopano Mere: Market Activation Lead, SmartWage
- Kyle Torrington: Co-Founder , Legal Legends
- Larry Yon, Ii: Co-Founder & President, Cyber Alliance
- Leonardo Okpeh: Founder & CEO, Smartblocks
- Lily Makaleng: Director, Founder Institute South Africa + Founder@WanderfullySo
- Lundi Njomane: Director, Jozi Angels
- Marco Broccardo: CEO , Eurocom
- Mark Kleyner: Co-Founder, Dream VC
- Mark Fritz: Managing Director, Procedor
- Mauricio Cardoso: Corporate Venture Manager, O POVO Communication Group
- Maushami Chetty: Founder and CEO, Aarya Legal & GDPR Bridge
- Michael O'donnell: Principal, StartupBiz.com LLC
- Michael Smith: Failed tech entrepreneur, lawyer, angel investor, Various
- Michael Smith: Managing Director, Hillsdon Consulting Inc.
- Michel Lubuya: Co-Founder @ Trove Group, Trove Capital
- Nevo Hadas: Director, & innovation
- Nicolas Ochmann: Director, Head of Solutions EMEA, Whatfix
- Nivesh Pather: Investment Manager, Norrsken22
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Olivier Chas: Entrepreneur, Effective Marketing
- Omotayo Babatunde: Co-Founder & CEO, RewardHub
- Oscar Koster: Regional Director, Rule no 5
- Pambos Soteriades: Founder & CEO, PiSigma Consulting
- Paul Smith: Founder & CEO, Civitas
- Pommie Lutchman: Founder & CEO, Ocular Technologies
- Preshan Govinder: Manager: Sales and Business Development, JSE
- Roheeni Bhana: Founder, Healthtech Launchpad
- Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
- Sabeeha Banubhai: Founder and Experience Director, Jack Studios
- Sabrina Dorman: Co-Founder and CFO, ZUMI
- Salmine Sassi: Entrepreneur in Residence, Seedstars
- Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
- Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
- Sanjay Soni: Chief Visionary & Venture Architect, Jozi Angels
- Sanjay Rakshit: CPO / CTO, Atom CTO
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Shaheed Nordien: Mr, Swifti
- Sheriff Olujide: Managing Partner, SOCS GokSon Capital (SGC) Ventures
- Sienna Leis: Managing Director, Cova Experience Design
- Sola Adekanye: Founder, Open Innovation Access
- S'onqoba Vuba: Co-Founder and MD, Perpetu8
- STEPHAN WESSELS: CTO, Simply Financial Services
- Suhail Nakooda: Visa, Director: Business Development
- Tamzin Lovell: Founder & CEO, Artfundi
- Telma Le Guen: Founder & CEO, The Workrate
- Thembalethu Shangase: Head of Programmes, Naspers Labs
- Torrey Smith: Co-Founder & CEO, Endiatx
- Tracey Chas: Advisor, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
- Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
- Tyrone Moodley: Venture Associate, HAVAÍC
- Victoria Odimba: Founder, C Insights Africa
- Viola Llewellyn: Founder & CEO, The Tulle Box
- Wesley Lynch: Founder, Snapplify
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- Zolani Matebese: Chairman, Sendoff.app
- 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 organization's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
Join us in South Africa and help build the future.
Apply to the South Africa 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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