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 8,900 Alumni raise over 2BN 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:
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 8:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/385329
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 6:00pm, Mar 09, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/387394
- The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 7:00pm, Mar 10, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/389211
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 2:30am, Mar 11, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/388541
- From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 2:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/387570
- Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 6:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/388802
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 6:00pm, Mar 19, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/389919
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 6:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/389010
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 2:00am, Apr 08, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390227
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 6:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390699
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 6:00pm, May 18, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390274
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390431
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390569
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391121
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391353
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391633
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390845
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 3:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/391495
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 7:00pm, Dec 08, 2026 (Africa/Johannesburg): https://FI.co/e/390984
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), John Zabula (Founder, Revisall), Keshni Morar (Managing Director, FI South Africa + Investable), Lily Makaleng (Director, The Founder Institute South Africa), Victoria Odimba (Founder/Lead Strategist, Cellente).
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 2026 Founder Institute program, including:
- Abdulkadir Suleiman: CEO & Founder, TESPIRE LLC
- 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
- Andrew Marsh
- Annu Augustine: Founder, NedRock
- Anthony Stonefield: Chief Innovation Officer, AIDA Advisory Services
- Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, Iaculus
- Ashlin Govender: Head of Strategy and Commercial Operations, Delivery Ka Speed
- Ayodeji Agboola: Founder, Akowe
- Ayodeji Agboola: CEO, Akowe
- Bade Aluko: Managing Partner, White Hibiscus Capital
- Bentzy Goldman: Founder, Perflo
- Berg Moe: Founder, Gründervekst AS
- Bertha Kgokong: Founder & CEO, Tati Software
- Bhairav Patel: Managing Director, Atom CTO
- 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: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
- Cleo Johnson: Strategist, Marketing Maven
- Dali Lakhoua: VC Investment Officer, AfricInvest group
- Dana Ohana: CEO and Co-Founder, Big Consulting
- Deon Katz: CEO & co-Founder , Graphite Growth
- Devin Butler: Co-founder & CEO, Metaship
- Didier Vermeiren: Founder, Rialto
- Dimitri Anagnostopoulos: Partner, True North Partners
- Donald Vutlharhi Valoyi: Founder, Zulzi
- Dr. Krishnan Ranganath: Regional Executive - West Africa , Africa Data Centres
- Dr. Ope Banwo: Attorney/Techfounder, Mobisoft360 Inc.
- Eitan Stern: Director & Lawyer, Legalese
- Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
- Fathhi Mohamed: Co-Founder, Street82, DishServe & PickMe
- Florent Nduwayezu: Mr. , BESTSELLER FOUNDATION
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS Coaching
- Freddy Atangana: Founder and Chief Executive Director, Ekamou
- Gareth Bleazard: CEO and Founder, Great North Road
- Gbite Oduneye: Founder and Managing Partner, ODBA
- Giovanni Focaraccio: Product Manager, Potenza
- Greg Serandos: Founder & CEO, African Academy of Artificial Intelligence
- Guillermo Guzman: Local Leader, Guzman Ventures
- Idowu Akinde: Managing Director, Impact Hub Lagos
- Jabulani Zwane: Founder & CEO, Mindset Development Institute
- Jaco De Wet: Independent Consultant, Independent Consultant
- Jatin Kataria: Founder/MD, InMeSta & Managing Partner, JK Venture Studio
- Jerry Oche: Founder/CEO, Zowasel
- Johann Ungerer: Director, 1099 Ventures, Infinite Loom
- Kamal Hassan: Founding Partner, Loyal VC
- Katie Mapondera: Founder and Managing Partner, Q L and D LLC
- Kayimbi Ruben Mpanya: Strategic Projects Associate, Innovation Edge
- Kedibone Mphethi: Executive Director, K44
- Kendrall Felder: Co-Founder & CEO, Cyber Alliance
- Keshni Morar: Managing Director, FI 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
- Lundi Njomane: Director, Jozi Angels
- Majd Alaily: Founder, Ruya Advisory
- 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: Managing Director, Hillsdon Consulting Inc.
- Nevo Hadas: Director, & innovation
- Nicolas Ochmann: Director, Head of Solutions EMEA, Whatfix
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Olivier Chas: Entrepreneur, Effective Marketing
- Omar Layachi: Local Leader, Founder Institute Morocco
- Pambos Soteriades: Founder & CEO, PiSigma Consulting
- PASCHAL OFFORDUM: Associate , Shujaa Capital
- Patricia Rinke: Investment Manager, AfricInvest Group
- Paul Smith: Founder & CEO, Civitas
- Pommie Lutchman: Digital Executive (CIO/CTO/CDO) and Startup Mentor, PommieLutchman.com
- Preshan Govinder: Manager: Sales and Business Development, JSE
- Riccardo Petrantoni: Managing Director, Range Ventures
- Roheeni Bhana: Founder, Healthtech Launchpad
- Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
- Sabeeha Banubhai: Founder and Experience Director, Jack Studios
- Sabrina Dorman: Co-Founder, ZUMI
- Salmine Sassi: Entrepreneur in Residence, Seedstars
- Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
- Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
- Samuel Mwendwa: Sustainable Finance and Innovation Advocate, .
- Sanjay Soni: Chief Visionary & Venture Architect, Jozi Angels
- Sanjay Bhana: Strategist, Thought leader, Reflective coach/mentor, Sanjay Bhana
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Sayyed Ahmad Masud: Regional Director Pakistan, Founder Institute
- 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
- Tarek Chelaifa: Senior Manager, GSMA
- Thaheer Mullins: Director & Partner, Savant
- 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
- Viola Llewellyn: Founder & CEO, The Tulle Box
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- 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 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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